Magnet Worksheet

The Magnet Experiments MatchCard leads students on an exploration of the poles of common magnets.

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Opposites Attract

Objective: Predict what poles of a magnet will be attacted or repelled by the pole of another magnet.

Let the student experiment with a set of common magnets. They will quickly find that one side of a magnet will either be attracted or repelled by one side of a different magnet.

Explain that the magnet has two poles: north and south. What else has two poles? (Earth)

Ask them to find a way to tell which pole is north and which pole is south.

Print the Magnetic Poles Worksheet

This is MatchCard #3 of the Light and Energy Unit Study. Find more information on MatchCard Science below.

Where Is North?

If a magnet hangs free on a string, it will automatically position itself so that its north pole is facing the Earth's North Pole.

Here is how you might find north with different types of magnets and string:

• Horseshoe magnet: Tie the string (yarn or tooth floss will also work) in the middle.
• Bar magnets: Line up two or more magnets so they attract each other. Put a string in the middle of them.
• Washer shaped magnets: Tie the string through the circle.

Extra challenge: Use two different types of magnets with each other to discover which sides repel and attract.

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How To Make a Compass

• Once you have found the north pole of a magnet, rub the end with a needle or straight pin. You have magnetized the pin.
• Fill a glass with water.
• Very carefully, without breaking the surface tension on the top of the water, lay the magnetized pin or needle on the water.
• Watch the needle move so it points north.

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Crazy Compass

Magnetize another pin or needle. Lay it next to the first needle in the water, being careful not to break the surface tension. Notice how they react.