Investigate Magnetism Patterns 09/10

1

Teacher Background

Background Knowledge for Teacher
Magnets attract objects made of iron, nickel, cobalt, and alloys such as steel. They also repel and
attract other magnets. The repulsion (push) and attraction (pull) of magnets are forces that can cause
objects to move.

Although many objects are attracted to magnets, students are expected to have a clear understanding
that iron is attracted to magnets unlike other common objects including plastics, paper, wood, and
metals such as aluminum and copper. Steel is another example of a metal that is attracted to magnets.
This is because it is a combination of iron and other materials. Ensure that when investigating with
magnets to give appropriate safety procedures such as not having magnets placed near computers.

Magnetism is a noncontact force that can change the position of an object at a distance, without direct
contact.

2

Possible Student Misconceptions

●Students may not differentiate between variables and controls in an investigation.

●Students may try to change multiple parts of an investigation causing there to be too many
variables.

●Students may not understand that only one variable can change during an experimental
investigation.

●Students may think that magnets act on all metals.

4th Grade Science
Force and Motion
Topic 2/Lesson 3

September 9, 2024

4

Do Now

Odd One Out Probe

Choose the name of the object in each category that you think does not
match with the others. Explain why you selected the object you chose.

Which is the Odd One?

Why is it the Odd One Out?

Ice rink

Sandy beach
Wooden floor
Rubber mat

_________________ is the odd
one out because______________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________

5

Force and Motion

LO: SWBAT plan a descriptive investigation to
explore the patterns of magnetism.

DOL: Given scenarios, SW correctly describe
patterns of magnetism in at least 4 of 5 questions.

SCI.4.7A Plan and conduct descriptive investigations to explore the patterns of forces such as gravity, friction, or magnetism in contact
or at a distance on an object.
SEPs 4.1D, 4.3A
RTCs 4.5B

Multiple Choice

What step of the scientific method can be described as: The reason for the experiment?

• Hypothesis

• Conclusion

• Observation

• Question/Purpose

Multiple Choice

Which variable must stay the same in an experiment in order for the experiment to be valid?

• Independent
• Dependent
• Constant

Multiple Choice

In an experiment the factor being tested or changed on purpose is called the -

• independent variable
• dependent variable
• constant
• experimental error

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Essential Understandings &

Guiding Questions

How can we test an object for the property of

magnetism?

How can you use magnets to make a model car move?

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Lesson Vocabulary

force

attract

repel

poles

magnetism

Engage

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What forces keep this object floating in air?

9

10

Do you think magnetism will affect the

motion of a model car? If so, how?

How can you use magnets to make a model car move?

Let’s make a prediction

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Let’s build a cover for our model car!

1.Use the available art supplies to
make a design for your car cover.

2. Cut out your design and cover
the cardboard tube, or body of your
car.

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Let’s plan our investigation

Plan an
investigation using
the car tester and
model car to
explore patterns of
magnetism on
objects at a
distance.

Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.

What is magnetism?
Magnetism is a force that pulls together or
pushes apart certain metal objects. Every magnet
has poles. Poles are the parts of a magnet with
the strongest magnetic force.

Photo credit: tkyszk/Shutterstock

Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved. Savvas is not responsible for any modifications made by end users to the content posted in its original format.

Magnetism

What do you observe about these magnets?

One magnet has a stronger magnetic force and can hold
more objects than the other.

15

Force

A push or pull, which
may cause a change
in an object’s motion

Image by skeeze from Pixabay

16

Magnetism

The physical
property of being
magnetic
Objects can either
attract to, not attract to,
or repel from a magnet.

© Wafa Aima Farzana – stock.adobe.com

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Attract

To draw by a
physical force
causing to
approach, adhere,
or unite; pull
(opposed to repel)

Image by Rusty Gouveia from Pixabay

18

Repel

To force
(something) to
move away or
apart

Image by Rusty Gouveia from Pixabay

19

Poles

The parts of the
magnet with the
strongest
magnetic force

20

Odd One Out Probe

Choose the name of the object in each category that you

think does not match with the others. Explain why you

selected the object you chose.

Which is the Odd One?

Why is it the Odd One Out?

NAIL

WASHER

PAN

BOWL

_________________ is the odd
one out because______________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________

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DOL: Given
scenarios, SW
correctly describe
patterns of
magnetism in at
least 4 of 5
questions.

Demonstration of Learning