Howdoweusemagnets?

Magnets are everywhere! You may not see or feel it, but
nearlyeverythingthatworksaroundyouusesthemagnetic
field.Whenyouclosetherefrigeratordoor,thewayitsticks
to the fridge is because of magnets. The microwave oven
whereyoucookyourpopcorn,theelectricfanyouusetokeep
offtheheat,eventhecomputerallusemagnetstofunction!

1. Howdoyouusemagnetsinyoureverydaylife?

Magnetsareevenpresentindevicesweusetoenjoymusic.
Withoutmagnets,youwouldntbeabletouseyourearphones
or speakers. Magnets are also useful in medical equipment
andelectronics.Nearlyallappliancesthatusemotorengines
usemagnetstomakethemwork.Ifyouwrapawirearound
anironbarandrunanelectriccurrentthroughthatwire,you
canmakeamagnet.Thiskindofmagnetthatturnsoffanon,
anelectromagnet,isusedinelectricmotors.
TheEarthisahugemagnet.OurplanethasbothNorthand
South poles, which act within the Earths magnetic field.
Similarly,allmagnetshavetwopoles:northandsouth.The
magneticfieldsarestrongestatthepoles,andtheendswill
pointtowardsitspoles.Tryhangingabarmagnetintheair,
andseehowthenorthendofthemagnetfollowsthedirection
towards the Earths North pole, and the south end of the
magnetfacestheSouthpole.Thisiswhythecompassthatwe
usewhenhikingusesamagnettoshowustheway. Many
species of migratory birds, sea turtles, lobsters, monarch
butterflies,andevenbacteriacansensedirectionandnavigate
using the Earths magnetic field. The field provides a
compass, allowing animals to move towards the north or
south.TheEarthsmagnetismcanalsobelikeamaptomany
organisms.

2. HowdosomeanimalsusetheEarthsmagneticfield?

2. How do some animals use the Earths magnetic

field?

Name:________________Class:______Date:_____
1. Howdoyouusemagnetsinyoureverydaylife?

attractmagnets.
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NAME:___________________________CLASS:_____________

Theforceofattractionishowmuchpullthereisbetween
twomagnets.Whathappensasyouincreasethedistance
betweentwomagnets?Explain.
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NAME:___________________________CLASS:____________

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Theforceofattractionishowmuchpullthereis
betweentwomagnets.Whathappensasyouincrease
thedistancebetweentwomagnets?Explain.
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Torepelistopushaway.Themagneticlevitation
(maglev)traininChinahoversabovethetrack.Howdo
youthinkthishappens?

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Torepelistopushaway.Themagneticlevitation
(maglev)traininChinahoversabovethetrack.Howdo
youthinkthishappens?

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Ironisthemainmetalthatmagnetsattract(pull).Metals
suchascopperandaluminumdonotattractmagnets,
whilenickeldoesatinybit.Giveexamplesofobjectsthat

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Ironisthemainmetalthatmagnetsattract(pull).

Metalssuchascopperandaluminumdonotattract
magnets,whilenickeldoesatinybit.Giveexamplesof
objectsthatattractmagnets.
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Acircuitisaclosedpatharoundwhichelectricitycanflow.
Electricityonlyflowsinaclosedcircuit.Anopencircuit
breakstheflow,likeariverdam.Whichmaterialsdoyou
needtocreateaclosedcircuit?
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NAME:___________________________CLASS:_____________

Conductorsarematerialsthattransmit/carrytheflowof
electricity.Allmetalsareconductors.Whatarethree
examplesofconductors?
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Insulatorsblocktheflowofelectricity(anythingnonmetal).
Whatarethreeexamplesofinsulators?
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Chemicalenergyisthekindofenergyyoufindinbatteries
whichthenflowsthroughwiresaselectricenergy.What
kindofenergydoesitbecomeinthelightbulb?
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NAME:___________________________CLASS:_____________

Conductorsarematerialsthattransmit/carrytheflowof
electricity.Allmetalsareconductors.Whatarethree
examplesofconductors?
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Insulatorsblocktheflowofelectricity(anythingnonmetal).
Whatarethreeexamplesofinsulators?
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Chemicalenergyisthekindofenergyyoufindinbatteries
whichthenflowsthroughwiresaselectricenergy.What
kindofenergydoesitbecomeinthelightbulb?
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Acircuitisaclosedpatharoundwhichelectricitycanflow.
Electricityonlyflowsinaclosedcircuit.Anopencircuit

breakstheflow,likeariverdam.Whichmaterialsdoyou
needtocreateaclosedcircuit?
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