🧲 Magnets in Motion

​Magnets in Motion
Concept 1.3 – Magnetic Force

By Crystal Aikens

It was Friday afternoon in Ms. Aikens’ science class.
The students had just finished learning about static force and were ready for something new—magnetism!

Ms. Aikens held up a shiny red magnet shaped like a horseshoe.
“Today,” she said, “we’re going to explore how magnets can move objects without even touching them.”

Woody’s eyes widened. “Wait—without touching?”
“That’s right,” said Ms. Aikens. “Magnets use an invisible power called magnetic force.
It can pull or push things made of iron or nickel.”

She placed a pile of paper clips on the table and slowly moved the magnet closer.
The paper clips jumped and stuck together in a long silver chain.
“Whoa!” said Rita. “It looks like they’re dancing!”

“The magnet’s invisible magnetic field is doing the work,” explained Ms. Aikens.

Audio Response

What happened when Woody moved the magnet close to the paper clips?

Open Audio Recorder

Across the room, Ceaser tested two bar magnets.
He tried to push the north pole of one toward the north pole of another.
The magnets refused to touch—they slid away like kids playing tag.

“They won’t stick!” Ceaser said.
“That’s because like poles repel,” said Ms. Aikens.
“North pushes away from north, and south pushes away from south.
But if you turn one magnet around, opposite poles attract.”

Ceaser flipped one magnet over. This time, the magnets snapped together so fast he almost dropped them.
“They’re best friends now!” laughed Scaelett.

Audio Response

Why did Caesar’s magnets push away from each other at first?

Open Audio Recorder

Later, Rita used a compass to show another kind of magnet at work.
The tiny needle inside the compass always pointed north, even when she spun the desk around.

“That’s because Earth is like one big magnet,” said Ms. Aikens.
“The compass needle is being pulled by Earth’s magnetic field.”

Ms. Aikens smiled and added, “Magnets are all around us! They hold refrigerator doors closed, help doctors take pictures inside the body, and even make electricity flow through wires. You use magnets every day—even if you can’t see them!”

The students looked amazed. “So Earth really is a giant magnet,” said Woody.
“Exactly,” Ms. Aikens replied. “And that invisible force keeps our world in motion.”

Audio Response

How does Earth act like a magnet?

Open Audio Recorder

Multiple Choice

What invisible power lets magnets move objects without touching them?

• A. Static electricity

• B. Friction

• C. Magnetic force

• D. Gravity

Multiple Choice

What kind of metal can magnets attract?

• A. Aluminum

• B. Iron

• C. Plastic

• D. Wood

Multiple Choice

What happens when two north poles face each other?

• A. They repel or push away

• B. They attract

• C. They melt together

• D. Nothing happens

Multiple Choice

What tool did Rita use to show how magnets can move a needle?

• A. Ruler

• B. Thermometer

• C. Compass

• D. Stopwatch

Multiple Choice

Why does the compass needle always point north?

• A. The wind blows it that way

• B. It is made of rubber

• C. It’s pulled by Earth’s magnetic field

• D. The teacher turned it north

Multiple Choice

Which is one way magnets help us in everyday life?

• A. They keep refrigerator doors closed

• B. They make things smell better

• C. They help plants grow

• D. They clean water

Multiple Choice

What did Ms. Aikens show the class at the start of the experiment?

• A. A piece of iron

•  B. A red horseshoe magnet

• C. A plastic ruler

•   D. A paper clip

Multiple Choice

Which statement about magnets is true?

• A. All metals are magnetic

• B. Magnets can push or pull without touching

• C. Magnets stop working underwater

• 
  D. Magnets only work once