The Invisible Pull: What Does a Magnet Pull?
Sim Lesson
Students use the The Invisible Pull simulation to move a magnet near a steel washer and a copper coin, and compare which object the magnet pulls. They see that a magnet attracts objects made of iron or steel, even across a small gap, but does not attract copper, plastic, or wood. Lesson Purpose Students often think a magnet attracts all metals or must touch an object to move it. Comparing a magnetic object with a non-magnetic one, and watching the pull work across a gap, builds the idea of a non-contact force that acts only on certain materials.
A magnet can hold a note on a metal fridge, but it slides right off a plastic toy. A magnet can even pull something without touching it. What kinds of objects does a magnet pull, and what kinds does it not? In this lesson, you will use the The Invisible Pull simulation to move a magnet near different objects and watch which ones it pulls.
Topics and standards: Science, Energy, Physics, Physical Science, Simulation, Electricity & Magnetism, Forces & Motion, Grades 3-5, Forces, 3-PS2-3, 3-PS3-3, SC.4.P.8.4, TEKS Science 3.7.A, 3.2.3.C