GRADE: Sixth

CONTENT STANDARD: Physical Science

CONTENT TOPIC: Motions and Forces

CONCEPT: Magnets are either natural or man-made.

CONTENT OBJECTIVE: 6B2.00 To understand the construction of a magnet and the force it produces

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: The learner will:

2.01 recall how magnetic materials differ from non-magnetic materials.
2.02 list the magnetic materials available to man.
2.03 list some ways to magnetize materials.

I. Magnetic materials
II. Non-magnetic materials
III. How to magnetize material

TN COMPONENT OF SCIENCE: Unifying Concepts of Science

TN GOAL:

To enable students to acquire scientific knowledge by applying concepts, theories, principles and laws from life/environmental, physical, and earth/space science.

2.1 SCALE AND MODEL - The development of models provides a conceptual bridge between the concrete and the abstract, while the use of scales allows for a comparison of differences in magnitude between the model and the desired form.

2.1a A model is a representation used to simplify complex phenomena.

BENCHMARK: Models are often used to represent concepts of various magnitudes.

2.1c Models are often used to study processes that happen too slowly, too quickly, or on too small or too large a scale to observe directly.

BENCHMARK: Models are often used to represent processes that cannot be directly observed.

TIME REQUIRED:

One hour

Nail, paper clips, wire, pins, needles, buttons, toothpicks, aluminum foil, plastic, glass rods, bowls, corks

Yesterday we learned about magnetic and non-magnetic material. I have several items here. If I hold up magnetic item, raise your right hand. If I hold up a non-magnetic item, hold up your left hand. Today you will be expected to tell how a magnet is constructed.

(Divide students in groups and give out material.) List materials that can be picked up by the magnet and those that cannot. A magnetic material has electrons that spin more in one direction than in the other direction. Non-magnetic material has electrons that pin equally in opposing directions, thus balancing their pull. Magnetic materials available to man are iron, steel, cobalt, and nickel. Iron may be magnetized by placing a piece of soft iron next to a permanent magnet and then stroking the iron with the magnet. Stroke in one direction only. Magnetize a nail by wrapping a wire around a piece of steel several times. Connect this to a dry cell battery.

The earth is a large magnet with a north pole and a south pole which repel each other.

How did you use the cork and needle to illustrate a magnet?

(The following activities are suggested:

1. Work with students in groups and ask them to list the materials they are using as magnetic and non-magnetic. Also have students wrap their nails with the wire and connect to their battery. Have them list the materials that can be picked up with their electromagnets.

2. Lead class discussion on the uses of magnetic properties such as lifting tons of steel. Ask for other uses. Have students research ways of making magnets.

3. Make a compass. Find a cork and a needle or pin. Magnetize the needle by rubbing it with the north pole of a magnet. Rub the needle from the blunt end toward the pointed end. Place the cork in a glass bowl or dish filled with water, to which a small amount of soap has been added. Place the magnetized needle on top of the cork so that it is balanced. In which direction does the needle point? Move an iron or magnetic object near the side of the needle. What happens? Why?)

Today, we have learned how to make a magnet and the force it produces. Write on a piece of paper one way you can magnetize some materials and tell your neighbor one magnetic and one non-magnetic material. (pause, then summarize)

Compare the earth to a magnet.

True or False questions - If it is false, change the italicized word to make the statement true.

1. All matter is made up of atoms. (True)

2. The positive charged particles of an atom are electrons. (False, protons)

3. Magnetism is the action of attracting a certain material by the movement of electrons traveling around the nucleus of an atom. (True)

4. Non-magnetic materials available to man are iron, steel, cobalt, and nickel. (False, magnetic)

5. If you place a piece of soft iron next to a permanent magnet and then stroke the iron with the magnet, what will happen?

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