Magnetic Hangman

Summary

After hanging horseshoe magnets, students will predict what will happen when the north end of their bar magnets are placed near the north end of their hanging magnets.

Materials

• One horseshoe magnet per student group
• One bar magnet per student group
• Fishing line/3 ft. per magnet

Additional Resources

Books

• Usborn Science Activities--Vol. 1, by Joan and Maurice Martin (Usborn Publishing Ltd, Usborn House, 83-85 Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8RT, England. Copyright 1992, www.edcpub.com or www.ubah.com); ISBN 0-7460-0698-5
• Usborn Science Activities--Science With Magnets, by Joan and Maurice Martin (Usborn Publishing Ltd, Usborn House, 83-85 Saffron Hill, London, EC1N 8RT, England. Copyright 1992, www.edcpub.com or www.ubah.com); ISBN 0-7460-1259-4
• World Book, Young Scientist--Light & Electricity--Magnetic Power, by Hemesh Alles (World Book Inc., 525 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copyright 1992); ISBN 0-7166-2791-4
• The World Book Student Discovery Encyclopedia--Vol. M, (World Book Inc., 233 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60601. http://www.worldbook.com, 1-800-975-3250. Copyright 2000); ISBN 0-7166-7400-9

Video

• The Magic of Magnetism, (100% Educational Videos; 4921 Robert J. Matthews Pkwy, El Dorado Hills, California 95762, http://www.schoolvideos.com/index.cfm); VHS Product #1010S, DVD Product #S1401

Background for Teachers

Earth has a magnetic field very similar to a bar magnet, with magnetic field lines flowing away from the North and returning in an oval pattern to the South Pole. The magnetic North and South Poles are not the same as the true North and South poles as depicted on globes and maps. The North Magnetic Pole is slowly drifting across the Arctic. The Geological Survey of Canada keeps track of this motion by periodically carrying out magnetic surveys to determine the Pole’s location.

Handling and Storing Magnets

• Always use caution when handling magnets. Strong magnets can snap together and injure students and teachers, or be damaged.
• Keep magnets away from magnetic media, such as floppy discs, credit cards, and computer monitors.
• Store magnets in closed containers so they don’t attract metal debris.
• If several magnets are being stored together, they should be stored in attracting positions.
• Alnico magnets should be stored with “keepers” (iron or magnetic steel plates that connect the poles of the magnet) as they can easily become demagnetized otherwise.
• Magnets should be kept away from pacemakers!

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Use Science Process and Thinking Skills
2. Manifest Scientific Attitudes and Interests

Instructional Procedures

Invitation to Learn
Allow students to hang magnets from the ceiling or another safe place. You may hang magnets ahead of time. Safety first!

Instructional Procedures

1. Hang horseshoe magnets with a string.
2. Determine north, south, east, and west directions in your classroom.
3. Brainstorm magnetism vocabulary words.
4. Look at magnets and see if there are similarities in their alignment.
5. Have students predict what will happen when the north end of their bar magnets are placed near the north end of the hanging magnets.
6. Chart and draw results in journals.
7. Discuss results with class.

Extensions

• Measure the distance that hanging magnets are attracted by other magnets. Measure in centimeters and inches.
• Chart, graph, and journal results.
• Pair special needs students with partners.
• Hang bar and ring magnets in a similar fashion and hypothesize their alignment.

Family Connections

• Allow students to check out magnets and teach parents laws of magnets learned in class.
• Have students and parents make a list of magnets in their homes and their uses.

Assessment Plan

Grade student journals according to Science Writing Rubric.