New
New
Year 3

Putting magnets together: attract or repel

I can predict whether two magnets will attract or repel each other, depending on which poles are facing.

New
New
Year 3

Putting magnets together: attract or repel

I can predict whether two magnets will attract or repel each other, depending on which poles are facing.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Magnets have two poles: north-seeking and south-seeking
  2. Opposite poles on a magnet attract each other
  3. The same poles on a magnet repel each other
  4. Scientists make predictions based on results from previous investigations

Common misconception

Magnetic poles may exist singly not just in pairs.

Explicit teaching and examples will be used to address misconceptions.

Keywords

  • Poles - Every magnet has two poles and on bar magnet, these are at opposite ends of the magnet.

  • Attract - To attract something is to make it move closer.

  • Repel - To repel something is to make it move further away.

  • Opposite - Opposite means on the other side from something or facing something.

  • Prediction - A prediction is a statement saying what you think will happen.

Children will learn how magnets behave when they are close together and will be able to explain their exciting observations of magnetic attraction and repulsion.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Bar magnets, post-it notes, elastic bands and a hole punch.

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment
  • Exploration of objects

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the type of material to how it behaves near a magnet.
Correct Answer:magnetic material,attracted

attracted

Correct Answer:non-magnetic material,not attracted

not attracted

Q2.
How many poles do magnets have?
An image in a quiz
1
Correct answer: 2
4
it varies
Q3.
Which of these happens when something is 'attracted' to a magnet?
It does not move.
It moves away from the magnet.
Correct answer: It moves towards the magnet.
Correct answer: It appears to stick to the magnet.
Q4.
In recycling centres, magnetic metal waste is attracted to magnets so it can be from other materials.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: separated, moved, removed, grouped, sorted
Q5.
Which of these are magnetic metals?
silver
Correct answer: steel
Correct answer: iron
aluminium
Q6.
Which metal does steel contain that makes it magnetic?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: iron

6 Questions

Q1.
What are the names of the poles of a magnet?
east-seeking
Correct answer: north-seeking
west-seeking
Correct answer: south-seeking
Q2.
Which is the opposite pole to the south-seeking pole?
east-seeking pole
Correct answer: north-seeking pole
south-seeking pole
west-seeking pole
Q3.
Match the behaviour to the pairs of magnets.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:attract each other,the opposite poles of magnets

the opposite poles of magnets

Correct Answer:repel each other,the same poles of magnets

the same poles of magnets

Q4.
A is a statement saying what you think will happen.
Correct Answer: prediction
Q5.
Which of these pairs of magnets would repel each other?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q6.
How can results from previous investigations help scientists to make predictions about later investigations?
They tell the scientist which method to use.
Correct answer: They give the scientists ideas about what might happen.
They give the scientists something to copy.

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