Question 93
You will need: two different magnets, such as a bar magnet and a horseshoe magnet; a metal paperclip with no plastic coating; a 30 cm plastic or wooden ruler.
Draw a table to record your results in:
Your ruler remains in the same position during the activity.
Place the paperclip at the ‘0’ end of your ruler. The position of the paperclip is dependent on changes of the magnet. We are going to measure these changes.
Place the north pole of Magnet 1 at the other end of your ruler. You are going to change the magnet during the activity.
Slowly move your magnet towards the paperclip.
Stop the magnet as soon as the paperclip is attracted to and touches the magnet. Read off the distance in millimetres on the ruler. Record the distance on your table. This is the first reading.
Repeat to find a second and third reading for the north pole of Magnet 1.
Carry out the activity again with the south pole of Magnet 1. Fill in the table.
Repeat the activity to test the strength of your other magnet.
Calculate the mean readings and fill in the mean reading column of the table.
To calculate the mean reading, add together the three readings and divide the sum by three. For example, if your three readings were 3.2 mm, 3.4 mm and 3.0 mm the sum is 9.6 mm and the mean reading is 9.6 mm ÷ 3 = 3.2 mm.
Safety: work with an adult and weak classroom magnets; keep magnets and small parts out of mouths and away from young children, and keep magnets away from implanted medical devices. Avoid sharp or powered household objects.
Draw a table to record your results in:
Your ruler remains in the same position during the activity.
Place the paperclip at the ‘0’ end of your ruler. The position of the paperclip is dependent on changes of the magnet. We are going to measure these changes.
Place the north pole of Magnet 1 at the other end of your ruler. You are going to change the magnet during the activity.
Slowly move your magnet towards the paperclip.
Stop the magnet as soon as the paperclip is attracted to and touches the magnet. Read off the distance in millimetres on the ruler. Record the distance on your table. This is the first reading.
Repeat to find a second and third reading for the north pole of Magnet 1.
Carry out the activity again with the south pole of Magnet 1. Fill in the table.
Repeat the activity to test the strength of your other magnet.
Calculate the mean readings and fill in the mean reading column of the table.
To calculate the mean reading, add together the three readings and divide the sum by three. For example, if your three readings were 3.2 mm, 3.4 mm and 3.0 mm the sum is 9.6 mm and the mean reading is 9.6 mm ÷ 3 = 3.2 mm.
Safety: work with an adult and weak classroom magnets; keep magnets and small parts out of mouths and away from young children, and keep magnets away from implanted medical devices. Avoid sharp or powered household objects.
