Name:________________

Date:_________________

Lab: Electromagnetism
Pre-Assessment/Quick-Write:
What is a magnet?

Part 1: Making an observation

Step 1: Obtain a compass.
Step 2: Compare where north is when looking at the compass inside the classroom vs. outside the
classroom (as a class, we will go to the football field. Bring a coat!)
What do you find? Does this match what you expected? Explain.

Part 2: Developing a question

Part of scientific inquiry is developing a question based on observations. Form a question based on your
observation. It should be a why question. Our goal for this lab is to gather enough evidence to test a
hypothesis.
Initial Question:

Part 3: Develop a hypothesis that will help explain the phenomena you observed in Part 1
Hypothesis:

Part 4: Make Observations and Collect Evidence

Goal 1: find what is required to make something magnetic
List of materials:

Spring scale
Pieces of metal (all different shapes and sizes, include the washers)
Iron rod
Metal wire to wrap around the metal rod
Non-iron rods with metal wire wrapped around them
Compasses
Batteries
Resistors
Cables with clamps to connect to the battery

Step 1: Above is a list of objects. Combine multiple objects together (ie. hold a small metal ball to a large
metal ball) and test whether it is magnetic using that combination. Test multiple possible combinations
Under the columns labeled Materials, write what you combined (ie. small metal ball; large
metal ball). If you connected anything using wires and/or the batteries, make sure to include
that in your description.
Under Observations write what material you used to test the magnetism and the results (ie.
could not move metal flakes).
Under Conclusions write Y if it is magnetic or N if it is not magnetic.
Materials
Materials
Materials
Observation
Conclusion
Magnetic? Y/N

Question 1: What materials are required to make a magnet?

Goal 2: Find what makes a strong magnet

Step 1: Mr. Steinle has created 5 different electromagnets. Create an experiment to test which ones are
stronger. Use the list of materials (see list above). Rank the relative strength of the electromagnets that
are labeled 1-10. Make sure to make observations about the characteristics of each magnet so you can
answer Question 3.
Number

Rank

Measurement

Question 2: How did you test the strength of the electromagnets? (Be detailed enough such that
someone else can replicate your experiment using your directions).

Question 3: What made the magnet more powerful?

Goal 3: Find what creates a magnetic attraction/repulsion?

Step 1: Find two permanent magnets. They should be U shaped. Using a compass, point it at each of
the arms of the U of the magnets (note: each magnet has two arms).
Label which arms are north and which arms are south:

Magnet 1

Magnet 2

Note: Make sure you keep track of your readings from Step 1 as you conduct Step 2. If you forget what
the readings are for each arm, simply make new readings using the compass again.
Step 2: Next hold the two magnets together. Now flip the arms of one of the magnets.
Question 4: What are the conditions for making the magnets attract one another?

What are the conditions for making the magnets repulse one another?

Question 5: Does the level of magnetism change with distance between the magnets? Why?

Question 6: Compare and contrast your magnetic fields with another fields discussed in previous labs:

Step 3: Take two permanent magnets and place 5 different objects between them. Make sure test
objects that are insulators or conductors. List the items you used and your observations
Object

Observation

Question 7: What object(s) interrupt magnetism? Were the items that interrupted magnetism good
insulators or good conductors? Why do you think that is?

Step 3: Take the compass and walk around the room. Walk up to multiple objects and see what the
needle is doing.
Write your observations:

Part 5: Conclusion
Begin by restating your initial question and hypothesis. Next state whether your evidence supports or
rejects your hypothesis. Provide evidence.
Conclusion: