Looking for a more RIGOROUS magnetism activity? Students will practice SCIENCE GRAPHING SKILLS and answer questions in the CLAIMS-EVIDENCE-REASONING format as they extend their learning about magnets and magnetic fields!
⭐ Get this at a HUGE DISCOUNT in my COMPLETE ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FORCE UNIT! ⭐
There are TWO graphing activities included. They can be used together or completely independently from each other. The format of each activity is the same:
- Students read a brief background information section.
- Students make a graph from the provided data.
- Students answer questions in the claims-evidence-reasoning format using evidence from the data table and graph.
Included Graphing Activities:
- Magnetic Field Strength vs. Distance (line graph): Graph provided data about how the distance from a magnet affects its magnetic field strength. Using the data and graph, students make a claim from evidence to answer the questions: (1) What is the relationship between the distance from a magnet and its magnetic field strength? and (2) A small paperclip requires a force of 50 Gauss to be attracted to this magnet. If the paperclip was placed far away from the magnet and then moved closer and closer, at what distance would the paperclip be attracted to the magnet?
- Magnetic Field Strength and Material Type (bar graph): Graph provided data about how the type of material a magnet is made of affects its magnetic field strength. Using the data and graph, students make a claim from evidence to answer the questions: (1) Which magnet material exhibits the greatest magnetic field strength? and (2) Is the magnetic field strength (measured in Gauss) related to a magnet’s ability to lift paper clips?
Through these activities, students will discover that:
- Magnetic field strength varies significantly between different magnetic materials.
- There is a direct relationship between a magnet’s field strength and its practical performance, as demonstrated by the number of paper clips each magnet can lift.
- Magnetic field strength decreases as the distance from the magnet increases.
Teacher Notes:
Related Standards:
- NGSS MS-PS2-3: Ask questions about data to determine the factors that affect the strength of electric and magnetic forces.
- NGSS MS-PS2-5: Conduct an investigation and evaluate the experimental design to provide evidence that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact.
