Exploring Magnetism
Recommended for grades 6–12.
Introduction
Magnetism is the force of attraction or repulsion between a magnet and something else. Magnets attract materials made of iron, nickel, or cobalt. Can you think of five things to which a magnet may be attracted? Does it matter which end of the magnet is brought near the object
All magnets, no matter what their shapes, have two regions called the north and south poles. The north pole of the magnet is the one that points north when the magnet is suspended in the air. When two like poles (i.e. north and north or south and south) are brought near each other, they repel each other. When two unlike poles are brought together they are attracted. The forces of repulsion and attraction are present because of the magnetic field that completely surrounds the magnet. Magnetic field lines extend out from the north pole into the south pole.
Objectives
In this experiment, you will
- Investigate the response of a Magnetic Field Sensor in the presence of a magnet under various conditions.
- Investigate the relationship between the orientation of the sensor and the strength of the magnetic field.
Sensors and Equipment
This experiment requires each of the following Vernier sensors and equipment (unless otherwise noted):
Additional Requirements
You may also need an interface and software for data collection. What do I need for data collection?
Download Experiment Preview
The student-version preview includes:
- Step-by-step instructions for computer-based data collection
- List of materials and equipment
Note: The experiment preview of the computer edition does not include essential teacher information, safety tips, or sample data. Instructions for Logger Pro and other software (such as LabQuest App or TI handheld software, where available) are on the CD that accompanies the book. We strongly recommend that you purchase the book before performing experiments.
Standards Correlations
See all standards correlations for Earth Science with Vernier »
Included in the Lab Book
Vernier lab books include a CD with word-processing files of the student instructions, essential teacher information, suggested answers, sample data and graphs, and more.