Magnetic Forces Quiz

Dylan puts two magnetic toy trains very close to each other on a track. What will happen next, and why?

• The trains will not move because the magnets are not touching.

• The trains will move closer to each other because the magnetic force will pull the trains together.

• The trains will move away from each other because the magnetic force will push the trains apart.

• The trains will move away from each other because the magnets are not touching.

Answer explanation

The trains will move away from each other because they likely have like poles facing each other, causing a repelling magnetic force that pushes them apart.

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Dakota moves a magnetic toy train toward a magnet that cannot move. What happens to the potential energy in the system of magnets during the movement?

• The potential energy increases because the train moves against the magnetic force.

• The potential energy decreases because the train moves against the magnetic force.

• The potential energy decreases because the train moves in the same direction as the magnetic force.

• The potential energy does not change because the magnets in the system do not change.

Answer explanation

The potential energy decreases because the train moves in the same direction as the magnetic force. As the train approaches the magnet, it is pulled in, reducing the potential energy in the system.

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Pablo sets identical magnetic carts on two tracks. At the end of each track is a large magnet that cannot move. Pablo can move the carts one space to the left or one space to the right. Which movement will increase the potential energy in the system the most?

• Moving the cart on Track 1 one space to the right (→).

• Moving the cart on Track 1 one space to the left (←).

• Moving the cart on Track 2 one space to the left (←).

• All these movements will result in the same change in potential energy because they each move a cart the same distance.

Answer explanation

Moving the cart on Track 1 one space to the right (→) increases potential energy the most because it moves the cart closer to the magnet, which has a stronger attractive force compared to the other movements.

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Francisco is holding two magnets close to each other. What will happen when he lets go?

• The magnets will move away from each other because the magnetic force will push the magnets apart.

• The magnets will move closer to each other because the magnetic force will pull the magnets together.

• The magnets will not move because the magnets are not touching.

• The magnets will move away from each other because the magnets are not touching.

Answer explanation

When Francisco lets go of the magnets, they will move closer together due to the attractive magnetic force between them. This force pulls the magnets towards each other, making the second answer choice correct.

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In a computer simulation, Noni moves a magnet (Magnet 1) away from another magnet (Magnet 2) that cannot move. Which statement accurately describes the change in potential energy?

• The potential energy does not change because the magnets in the system do not change.

• The potential energy decreases because Magnet 1 moves in the same direction as the magnetic force.

• The potential energy decreases because Magnet 1 moves against the magnetic force.

• The potential energy increases because Magnet 1 moves against the magnetic force.

Answer explanation

The potential energy decreases because Magnet 1 moves against the magnetic force. As it moves away, the system's energy is released, resulting in a decrease in potential energy.

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An engineer is investigating potential energy with two identical magnetic roller coaster cars on different sides of a center magnet that cannot move. For the experiment, the engineer will move one car one space. Which movement will result in the largest increase in potential energy?

• Moving Car 2 one space toward the center magnet.

• Moving Car 1 one space away from the center magnet.

• Moving Car 1 one space toward the center magnet.

• All these movements will result in the same change in potential energy because they each move a car the same distance.

Answer explanation

Moving Car 2 toward the center magnet increases its potential energy more than moving Car 1 away or toward the magnet, as Car 2 is moving closer to the source of magnetic attraction, resulting in a larger increase in potential energy.

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Cecilia puts two magnetic toy trains very close to each other on a track. What will happen next, and why?

• The trains will not move because the magnets are not touching.

• The trains will move closer to each other because the magnetic force will pull the trains together.

• The trains will move away from each other because the magnets are not touching.

• The trains will move away from each other because the magnetic force will push the trains apart.

Answer explanation

The trains will move away from each other because they have like poles facing each other, which causes a repelling magnetic force. This force pushes the trains apart, leading to their movement away from each other.

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Katrina moves a magnetic toy train toward a magnet that cannot move. What happens to the potential energy in the system of magnets during the move?

• The potential energy increases because the train moves against the magnetic force.

• The potential energy decreases because the train moves against the magnetic force.

• The potential energy decreases because the train moves in the same direction as the magnetic force.

• The potential energy does not change because the magnets in the system do not change.

Answer explanation

The potential energy decreases because the train moves in the same direction as the magnetic force. As it approaches the magnet, the magnetic attraction does work on the train, reducing the system's potential energy.

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Peter sets identical magnetic carts on two tracks. At the end of each track is a large magnet that cannot move. Peter can move the carts one space to the left or one space to the right. Which movement will increase the potential energy in the system the most?

• Moving the cart on Track 1 one space to the right (→).

• Moving the cart on Track 1 one space to the left (←).

• Moving the cart on Track 2 one space to the left (←).

• All these movements will result in the same change in potential energy because they each move a magnetic cart the same distance.

Answer explanation

Moving the cart on Track 2 one space to the left (←) increases potential energy the most because it moves the cart closer to the fixed magnet, maximizing the magnetic potential energy compared to the other movements.

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Jerome puts two magnetic vehicles very close to each other. What will happen next, and why?

• The magnetic vehicles will not move because the magnets are not touching.

• The magnetic vehicles will move closer to each other because the magnetic force will pull the vehicles together.

• The magnetic vehicles will move away from each other because the magnetic force will push the vehicles apart.

• The magnetic vehicles will move away from each other because the magnets are not touching.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is that the magnetic vehicles will move closer to each other because the magnetic force will pull the vehicles together. Magnets exert attractive forces when they are near each other, regardless of contact.

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