Physical Science
Force, Motion, and Energy Standard (2.2)
The student will investigate and understand that natural and artificial magnets have certain characteristics and attract specific types of metals. Key concepts include
a) magnetism, iron, magnetic/nonmagnetic, poles, attract/repel; and
b) important applications of magnetism.
a) magnetism, iron, magnetic/nonmagnetic, poles, attract/repel; and
b) important applications of magnetism.
Understanding the Standard (background information)
- Magnets have a north and a south pole.
- Unlike magnetic poles attract and like poles repel. The north pole of one magnet attracts the south pole of a second magnet, while the north pole of one magnet repels the other magnet's north pole.
- A magnet creates an invisible area of magnetism all around it called a magnetic field.
- The north end of a magnetic compass always points roughly toward Earth's North Pole and the south end of the compass needle always points toward Earth’s South Pole. That is because Earth itself contains magnetic materials and behaves like a gigantic magnet.
- When a magnetized metal, such as a compass needle, is allowed to swing freely, it displays the interesting property of aligning with Earth’s magnetic fields.
- A magnet is strongest at its poles.
- The farther away the magnetic poles are from each other, the weaker the magnetic force.
- If you cut a bar magnet in half, you get two new, smaller magnets, each with its own north and south pole.
- Magnets can attract objects made of iron, nickel, or cobalt.
- Magnets can be artificially made from special metals or can occur naturally. Naturally occurring magnets are composed of a mineral called magnetite or lodestone.
- Magnets have important applications and uses in everyday life.
Matter Standard (2.3)
The student will investigate and understand basic properties of solids, liquids, and gases. Key concepts include
a) identification of distinguishing characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases;
b) measurement of the mass and volume of solids and liquids; and
c) changes in phases of matter with the addition or removal of energy.
a) identification of distinguishing characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases;
b) measurement of the mass and volume of solids and liquids; and
c) changes in phases of matter with the addition or removal of energy.
Understanding the Standard (background information)
- All substances are made of matter.
- Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space.
- Solids have a defined shape and volume.
- Liquids have a definite volume and take the shape of the container.
- Gases will completely fill any closed container (take the shape of its container) and assume the volume of its container. (e.g., Helium gas put into a balloon takes the shape of the balloon because the balloon defines its shape.)
- Mass is a measure of the amount of matter.
- Weight is the measure of the gravitational pull on an object.
- Volume is the measure of the amount of space occupied by matter.
- Matter most commonly occurs in three phases: solids, liquids, and gases.
- Matter can change from one phase to another.
- When matter changes from one phase to another, these changes are referred to as physical changes.
- Changes from solid to liquid to gas require the addition of energy.