Download Magnetism Study Guide and Review WS

Magnetism Study Guide
Magnets:
Magnets are metal objects that attract other metals. Most magnets are made of iron, but they
can also be made of other metals like nickel and cobalt. Magnets come in different sizes,
shapes, and strengths.
bar magnet
horseshoe magnet
The ends of a magnet are called poles. Every magnet has a north and south pole.
Sometimes they are labeled, but not always. Like poles (north-north or south-south) repel, or
push each other away. Unlike poles (north-south) attract.
N
S
S
These magnets repel each other.
N
N
S
N
S
These magnets attract each other.
Every magnet has an invisible magnetic field around it. The magnetic field is the area in
which a magnet has magnetic force, or power. Lines of force extend from the poles of a
magnet in an arched pattern and show us that the effect of a magnet is strongest at its poles.
In this picture, you can see the magnetic field because
small pieces of iron have been placed under the magnet.
The pieces align themselves along the lines of force and
show us the magnet’s magnetic field.
Uses for Magnets:
Most people are familiar with magnets that we use on a refrigerator. Magnets have many
more everyday uses. For example, they can be found in electronic equipment (like
computers), household items, and even clothing.
Magnets can also be used to generate electricity. This can be done by moving a magnet
through a coil of wire. The moving magnetic field creates an electric current. An electric
generator produces electricity this way.
© Alyssa Teaches
Magnets can be used to help us find our way. A compass is an instrument that uses
a freely moving magnetic needle to show directions. The needle aligns itself with
Earth’s magnetic field and points to the north.
Electromagnets:
Unlike a permanent magnet that keeps its magnetism when it is removed from a magnetic field,
an electromagnet is a temporary magnet. It depends on electricity to work. In a simple
electromagnet, a wire is wrapped around an iron object and a current is passed through the wire.
The current creates a magnetic field around the wire, and it will act like a magnet as long as the
current is flowing. This means that an electromagnet can be turned on and off.
Electromagnets are often used in scrap yards to lift and move heavy pieces of metal.
They are also used in common household appliances and objects like door bells,
telephones, TVs, and computers.
How to Make an Electromagnet:
Want to make a simple electromagnet yourself? All you need to do is create a
closed circuit using an insulated wire, iron nail (or other iron object), and a
battery. Wrap the wire tightly around the nail (using about 10 coils). Connect the
ends of the wire to the battery to pass a current through the coiled wire. Test
your electromagnet by trying to pick up some paper clips!
You can make your electromagnet stronger
by adding more turns to the coiled wire,
which increases the current. You can make
it weaker by decreasing the turns.
© Alyssa Teaches
Name: ______________________________________
Magnetism Review
1. What are magnets made of? What will they attract?
2. Draw two magnets that will attract/repel each other in the box below.
attract
repel
3. How can you determine a magnet’s poles if they aren’t labeled?
4. How can we see a magnet’s magnetic field if it’s invisible?
© Alyssa Teaches
5. Explain how magnetism is related to electricity.
6. Complete the Venn diagram.
permanent magnet
electromagnet
7. Draw and label a working electromagnet.
8. How can you change the strength of an electromagnet?
9. What are some uses of electromagnets?
© Alyssa Teaches
10.When might you want to use an electromagnet instead of a permanent magnet?
ANSWER KEY
Name: ______________________________________
Magnetism Review
1. What are magnets made of? What will they attract?
Magnets are made of metals like iron, cobalt, and nickel. They will attract
other metal objects.
2. Draw two magnets that will attract/repel each other in the box below.
Drawings will vary.
N-S
attract
N-N or S-S
repel
3. How can you determine a magnet’s poles if they aren’t labeled?
You could bring another magnet (that is labeled) close to the magnet. For
example, if you put the north pole of the labeled magnet next to the pole of
your magnet and the poles are attracted to each other, you know that the
pole is a south pole.
4. How can we see a magnet’s magnetic field if it’s invisible?
We can see the magnetic field of a magnet by placing iron filings above or
below the magnet and watching them spread into lines of force.
5. Explain how magnetism is related to electricity.
© Alyssa Teaches
An electric current can create a magnetic field (i.e., electromagnets) and a
moving magnetic field can produce an electric current (i.e., by moving a
magnet through a coil of wire).
6. Complete the Venn diagram.
permanent magnet
electromagnet
- always
magnetic
- creates its
own magnetic
field
- magnetism can
be turned off
- has the
ability to
be magnetic
- needs electricity
to be magnetic
7. Draw and label a working electromagnet.
Drawings will vary, but should include a closed circuit comprised of an iron
object, such as a nail, a coiled wire around it, and a battery.
8. How can you change the strength of an electromagnet?
You can increase or decrease the number of turns in the coiled wire.
9. What are some uses of electromagnets?
Electromagnets are used to move heavy pieces of metal (like cars at a
junkyard), and in household objects like door bells and TVs.
You’d use an electromagnet any time that you want to be able to turn the
magnetism on and off.
© Alyssa Teaches
10.When might you want to use an electromagnet instead of a permanent magnet?
Thank you!
I hope that you find this study guide and review
worksheet to be a useful resource in your classroom!
After you use this resource, I’d love to hear your feedback. When you leave
feedback on a purchase, you earn TpT credits, which you can use to purchase
other products on the TpT website!
You might also like these related resources!
Terms of Use:
This resource is for single classroom use only. You may not redistribute, sell,
or post this resource to other individuals or to any digital space where others
may gain access (i.e., the internet and district servers).
If a colleague is interested in using any of these pages, please refer him/her to
my TpT store. Additional licenses are available at half price!
Credits:
Connect with me:
Bar magnet photo by Aney, Horseshoe magnet photo
by Oguraclutch, Electromagnet photo by Gina Clifford
Happy Teaching! Alyssa Teaches © 2014