Download Magnetism Webquest - Mrs. Blevins` Science

Magnetism Webquest
General questions
*The following webpage (and the pages that follow by hitting the “next” button) contain good
information about the source and properties of magnetism. Use this site to answer questions 1-5
below.
http://www.ndted.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/MagParticle/Physics/Magnetism.htm
1) What causes magnetism inside the atom?
2) Why are unpaired electrons more significant than paired electrons in terms of magnetic
properties?
3) What causes a material to be classified as “ferromagnetic”? Name some examples of
ferromagnetic materials.
4) What is a magnetic domain? Sketch two images of a material that has magnetic domains, one
that is magnetized and one that is unmagnetized.
5) Sketch a bar magnet. Label the poles of the magnet with an “N” and an “S”. Draw magnetic
field lines (with direction).
Magnetism Webquest
Magnetism and Plate Tectonics
*Read through the following website and answer the questions below.
http://istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/earthmag/reversal.htm
1) What is basalt and how do scientists use it to determine the direction of Earth’s magnetic field
over time?
2) How does geomagnetism help scientists understand the motion of Earth’s plates?
Field Reversals
*Read this 2-page article about geomagnetism from National Geographic
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/09/0909_040909_earthmagfield.html
1) How long have scientists been recording the strength of the Earth’s magnetic field?
2) What is happening to the Earth’s field right now?
3) How does the magnetic field act like a shield?
4) What animals use the Earth’s magnetic field for navigation?
5) What is the average time between field reversals?
6) When is the last time the Earth’s field reversed?
Magnetism Webquest
Magnetic Declination
*Answer the next several questions using the following webpage as well the link that reads,
“What is Magnetic Declination?”
http://www.magnetic-declination.com/
1) What is magnetic declination and what causes it?
2) What do the terms “geographic north” and “magnetic north” mean?
3) What is the magnetic declination in Chicago (include + or - )? (To find this enter Chicago,
Illinois in the location on the left side of the screen)
4) If you wanted to walk in the direction of true north in Chicago, would you want to walk to the
left or right of where a compass needle points?
5) Pick another city and find it’s magnetic declination.
City: ______________________
State: _____________________
Magnetic Declination: _____________________
If you were in this city, would you walk to the left or right of were the compass needle points, if
you wanted to walk in the direction of true north?