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What you will learn from this video
- Forces can be applied at a distance through magnetism and static electricity.
- The closer magnets are, the stronger the force.
- Magnets can push or pull other magnets, depending on the poles.
- Electromagnets can be turned on and off with electricity.
- Static electricity can push or pull things without touching them.
- Discussion Questions
Before Video
Can one object apply a force to another without touching it?ANSWERYes. Non-contact forces include magnetic, electric (electromagnetic and static) and gravitational forces.
No. Magnetic fields extend beyond the magnet causing forces to be applied at a distance.
Magnets are attracted to certain types of metal like iron, nickel and cobalt.
The attraction of metal to magnets (such as a paper clip sticking to a magnet) is evidence that magnets exert a force. Iron filings or ferrofluid can also provide evidence of the magnetic field.
After Video
If magnetic fields are invisible, how do we know they are there?ANSWERWe know they are there because magnets push and pull magnetic materials. We can also visualize magnetic fields using certain materials such iron filings or ferrofluid seen in the video.
An aluminum can is not attracted to a magnet. We see this during the “magno-board” investigation. Only certain kinds of metal like iron, nickel and cobalt are attracted to a magnet.
The neodymium magnets are set up with opposite poles facing each other so that they are attracted to each other. These types of magnets are VERY strong and when they are pulled together with a lot of force, fruit can be smashed!
The closer a magnet is to an object, the stronger the force.
An iron nail wrapped in wire is not magnetic, but when electricity from a battery flows round and round through the coil of wire it creates a magnetic field. When the electricity stops flowing the magnetic field disappears and the nail is no longer magnetized.
The balloon and plastic bag have the same charges. Evidence: they repel each other.
Magnets have North and South poles. Like poles repel while opposite poles attract. Similarly, when hairs become charged with like charges using the Van de Graff generator, they repel each other.
Magnets can solve all kinds of every day problems. Holding objects to a refrigerator or whiteboard without leaving marks. Picking up small metal objects off the floor. If you are lost a compass contains a magnet that can tell you which direction is north. Magnets are also used to separate metal items from paper recycling. Some power cord use magnets to attach to the device they are charging.
When two objects have the same electric charge they push apart. When two objects have opposite electric charges, they are pulled together.
- Vocabulary
- Electromagnet DEFINE
A type of magnet that can be turned on and off using electricity.
- Attract DEFINE
When magnets with different charges come together we say they "attract" or come together.
- Repel DEFINE
When magnets with the same charges come together we say they "repel" or push each other apart.
- Magnet DEFINE
An object that produces a magnetic field.
- Magnetic Field DEFINE
The invisible space where a magnet can exert its force on another object.
- Ferrofluid DEFINE
A black liquid made up of ultra tiny pieces of iron mixed in oil. It changes shape in the presence of a magnetic field.
- Static Electricity DEFINE
A type of electricity that can be used to push and pull things at a distance. It is typically made by friction and causes things like dust to be attracted to you.
- Electrical Charges DEFINE
Can be either positive or negative. Opposites attract and the same charges repel.
- Van De Graff Generator DEFINE
A device that creates a large amount of static electricity by rubbing two materials together very quickly.
- Electromagnet DEFINE
- Reading Material
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- Lesson Plan
- Teacher Guide
