Download Magnets Computer Lab - Northeast High School

Name: ____________________
Magnetism
Phet Simulation: http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/magnet-and-compass
1) The simulation is color coded.
a. North pole is the color __________
b. South pole is the color ______________
2) Move the “compass” around. Do like poles (north and north) attract or repel?
a. Do opposite poles (north and south) attract or repel?
b. Fill in the “Like poles/Unlike poles” box on the first page
3) How does the direction(s) of the Magnetic Force compare/contrast to Electrostatic Force?
4) How does the direction(s) of the Magnetic Force compare/contrast to Gravitational Force?
5) Looking at the compass the red end is the head(pointy end) of an arrow (white --> red). Do magnetic
field lines point towards or away from the North Pole of a magnet?
a. Do magnetic field lines point towards or away from the South Pole of a magnet?
b. Fill in the “Magnetic Field Lines” box on the first page
Name: ____________________
Magnetism
6) Label the North and South Poles of each of the following three magnets
a. Label and Draw each of these onto the first page
7) Let’s look at a comparison between geographic and magnetic poles.
a. Magnetic poles were initially labeled based on the direction they point geographically so the
North Pole would point in a northern direction and the South Pole points in a southern direction.
b. The North Pole of a compass would therefore point toward which: Geographic North or South?
c. The Earth is large magnetic with its own north and south poles by referring back to question 2 is
the “Geographic North Pole” the South or North Magnetic Pole
d. In the simulation check “Show planet Earth” make sure this confirms your answer to 9c.
e. In your own words describe how you knew this would be the case.
f. Fill in the “Geographic and Magnetic Pole” box on the first page with either North or South for
each blank.
8) In the simulation check “Show Field Meter” You may want to uncheck “Show planet Earth”.
a. Box label B represents the strength of the Magnetic Field. Find the Strength of the Magnetic
Field at A-E. (Be VERY careful to make sure that A and B have the SAME relative distances
from the North or South Magnetic field)
b.
Name: ____________________
Magnetism
Letter
Magnetic Field (B)
c. How does the Magnetic Field Strength for A and B compare? (check this answer)
d. How does the Magnetic Field Strength for A/B compare to C?
e. Rank the Magnetic Field Strength for A, D, and E. From Highest to Lowest
f. As the distance from the poles increase what happens to the magnetic field strength?
g. As you increase the Strength of the Magnetic Field (sliding bar in simulation) and keep the
distance the same does the Magnetic Field Strength increase or decrease?
h. What are the two factors that determine the strength of the magnetic field?
9) In questions 3 and 4 you compared/contrasted the direction of the Electric and Gravitational Fields to the
Magnetic Field. Now compare the two factors (Pole Strength, and Distance) to the factors that
determine the strength of the Electric Field (charge, distance) and Gravitational Fields (mass, distance).