Download Name: #_____ Test on:______ Magnetism Study Guide What are

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Magnetism Study Guide
What are magnets and magnetism?
Magnets are objects that pull certain metals towards them. A magnet’s ability to pull these
metal objects towards them is called magnetism. The pulling by the magnet is to attract.
There are many everyday uses for magnets. Magnets attract certain metals, iron, and nickel
objects.
Two kinds of Magnets
1. Permanent Magnet – a permanent magnet is an object that keeps it’s magnetism for a long
time. Permanent magnet are either
made from a mixture of iron and other metal
or are made from nature. An example of a
permanent magnet is a refrigerator magnet.
2. Temporary Magnet – a temporary magnet is an object that loses its magnetism after a short
amount of time. Metal objects made of iron and
nickel can become magnetized when rubbed or stroked repeatedly
by a magnet. A paperclip can become magnetized when
stroked by a magnet.
Poles of a Magnet
The ends of a magnet are the magnetic poles, this is the area of a
magnet where the force of attraction is the strongest. All magnets have
two poles, a north pole and a south pole.
An example of magnetic poles working is the picture below. More paper clips are clustered
around the poles of the magnets because the magnetic force is strongest at the poles.
What common objects are attracted to magnets?
List six common objects that are attracted to magnets:
1. ____________________
2._____________________
3. ____________________
4._____________________
5. ____________________
6._____________________
Magnetic Fields
The magnetic field of a magnet is the area around a magnet where the force can act. A magnet
only pulls or attracts objects that are within the magnetic field. A magnetic field has invisible
“lines of forces”.
Bar magnet
Horseshoe magnet
Repel or Attract
If two magnets are brought near each other, their magnetic fields interact. When the north
pole of one magnet is brought near the south pole of another magnet, the magnets attract each
other and pull together. Unlike poles attract each other. Like poles push away from, or repel
each other.
Magnets will have the strongest magnetic pull when opposite poles are placed near each other.
When a north pole end and a south pole end are placed near each other, the magnets will attract
each other or stick together.
When two bar magnets are placed together, if a north pole bar magnet repels an unmarked pole
of another magnet, you can assume the unmarked pole is the north pole of the magnet.
Earth is a Magnet
The earth is a magnet. Earth has a magnetic field. This field is very much like the magnetic
field of a bar magnet.
William Gilbert is called the Father of Magnetism. He discovered that the Earth acts like a
giant magnet with poles.
A compass has a free-moving magnetic needle that is used to show direction.
The needle of a compass turns until the north-seeking pole points to Earth’s magnetic
north pole. The compass will always work because Earth is surrounded by a magnetic force field.
Lodestone is a rock that is naturally magnetic and is found at or near the Earth’s surface. It
can be used to make a compass needle since it is a naturally occurring magnetic rock.
Everyday Uses of Magnets
to pick up used cars to hold items on a fridge to keep cows healthy
compass
to pick up items
to keep trains on track
to help x-rays work