Every magnet has two poles and, on bar magnet, these are at opposite ends of the magnet.

To attract something is to make it move closer.

To repel something is to make it move further away.

Opposite means on the other side from something or facing something.

A prediction is a statement saying what you think will happen.

Putting magnets together: attract or repel

Science

In this Simple forces including magnets unit, pupils learn to compare how things move on different surfaces. In the Forces including simple machines unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to identify the effects of air resistance, water resistance and friction, that act between moving surfaces

In the Everyday materials unit, pupils learnt to compare and group together materials on the basis of their simple physical properties. In this Simple forces including magnets unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to compare and group materials on the basis of whether they are attracted to a magnet or not

This unit explores how objects move on different surfaces and examines magnetic forces, including attraction, repulsion, and magnetic materials. It covers identifying magnetic poles and predicting interactions and emphasizes practical tests, observations, and presenting findings.

Simple forces including magnets

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

What are the names of the poles of a magnet?  

Which is the opposite pole to the south-seeking pole?

Match the behaviour to the pairs of magnets.

A {{}} is a statement saying what you think will happen.

Which of these pairs of magnets would repel each other?  

They tell the scientist which method to use.  

They give the scientists ideas about what might happen.

They give the scientists something to copy.

How can results from previous investigations help scientists to make predictions about later investigations?

Match the type of material to how it behaves near a magnet.

Which of these happens when something is 'attracted' to a magnet?

In recycling centres, magnetic metal waste is attracted to magnets so it can be {{}} from other materials.

Which metal does steel contain that makes it magnetic?

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - equipment

Exploration of objects

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Putting magnets together: attract or repel

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.