Name ______________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

Magnetism

Module Packet #1

 

Mrs. Peters

Physical Science

 

 

Magnetism – Module 1

 

 

Purpose: In this module, you will study some events involving magnets and record your observations. In your group you will discuss the scientific ideas that help you to make sense of your observations. As a whole class, we will discuss your findings and you will compose notes of the highlights of your findings.

 

Before beginning the events, explain what you know about magnets by answering the following questions.

 

Suppose someone gave you two substances and claimed they were both magnets. What evidence would you need to show that both substances were indeed magnets?

What I know myself:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I found out from my group:

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I found out from the whole class discussion:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Event 1: Interactions of Ceramic Disk Magnets

How many different ways can 2 magnets interact?

 

Orientation #1: Place two ceramic disk magnets flat on the table, far enough apart so they do not make each other move as in Diagram A.

Diagram A

 

 

 

 

Without touching magnet #1, slide magnet #2 closer to magnet #1.

Describe what happens to magnet #1 as you bring it closer to magnet #2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explain why this happens to the magnets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orientation #2: Find a different way to place the two magnets on the table and draw them in the space for Diagram B. Label one of the magnets #1 and the other magnet #2.

Diagram B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Without touching magnet #1, slide magnet #2 closer to magnet #1.

Describe what happens to magnet #1 as you bring it closer to magnet #2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explain why this happens to the magnets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orientation #3: Find a different way to place the two magnets on the table and draw them in the space for Diagram C. Label one of the magnets #1 and the other magnet #2.

Diagram C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Without touching magnet #1, slide magnet #2 closer to magnet #1.

Describe what happens to magnet #1 as you bring it closer to magnet #2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explain why this happens to the magnets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Event 1 at a glance: Fill in the Venn Diagram with statements that both describe and explain what you saw with the magnets.

 

 

 

 

 

Venn Diagram

Class Discussion about Event 1

All of the groups will report what they observed and why they think the events happened as they did. Take notes in the box below about any trials other groups did that may add to your trials on orientation.

 

Notes on class discussion:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adding Theory to your Observations:

Domains are parts of magnets that cannot be seen. They are ___________________ atoms grouped together in the magnet because their electrons spin around in the same way. The number of domains that are lined up in the same way determine how strong a magnet may be. If many domains are lined up, the magnet is strong.

 

 

 

 

 

If few domains are lined up, the magnet is weak.

 

 

 

 

 

If a magnet is heated or dropped, the domains that were lined up become out of line and the magnet weakens.

Event 2: Making and Destroying Magnets

A magnet can be made out of a non-magnetic piece of iron (like a nail) by rubbing it in one direction with a permanent magnet.

 

Design an investigation that tests the effect of the number of “rubs” on the strength of the magnetism in the piece of iron. You can measure the strength of magnetism by counting how many staples the magnetized piece of iron picks up.

 

Procedure:

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Draw your data table here:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Write a few statements that describe what happened in Event 2 and explain why it happened that way.

 

Description of investigation

Explanation of investigation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making Sense of our Findings

As a class we will try to find similarities, differences and connections among our findings for Events 1 and 2.  

Ground rules for discussions:

  1. Claims must be supported with evidence. For example, “I think that _______ because ____________”
  2. Comments about claims must also be supported with evidence. For example, “I disagree with what you said about __________ because I think we found ______________”
  3. Let everyone contribute to the discussion.
  4. Listen to other people while you are waiting to talk about your findings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Event 1 Statements from the discussion . . .

That make sense with our findings

That don’t make sense with our findings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consensus Ideas from Event 1:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Event 2 Statements from the discussion . . .

That make sense with our findings

That don’t make sense with our findings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consensus Ideas from Event 2:

 

 

 

Notes about Magnetism Events:

Vocabulary needed in understanding magnetism:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defining Characteristics about Magnetism

Evidence from Events