Here are some explorations to do and things to think about as we
start the section on magnets.
Collect a set of objects -- a penny, a paper clip, an aluminum
drink can, the washers from the kit, a pencil, an eraser, a ring,
... -- things that you think will be attracted by a magnet, or
which you think will not interact with a magnet. Certainly include
any object for which you are unsure!
Classify each item based on how it interacts with
a magnet.
Are any of the objects that stick to a magnet themselves magnets?
Is magnetism uniformly distributed in a magnet? You can investigate
this using a paper clip (to see where it sticks, and where not), a compass,
and the magnetic field viewing card.
The places where the magnetic effects are concentrated are called the poles of
the magnet. How many poles do the magnets in the kit have? How are they the same, and how different?
Use the compass to find the poles of all of the magnets in the kit. Label
the pole that the compass points toward "N." Then explore how the magnets
interact with each other.
In your kit there is a sample of a magnetic rubber material (it
doesn't look very exciting -- it's black and rubbery,
and blue or white on one side). It will stick to a piece of iron or steel, but
its effect on a compass needle is not easy to interpret (see for yourself!). Use the magnetic field viewing card to
unravel its mystery.
Also note how it interacts with a paper clip.