New
New
Year 3

Blocking magnetic force

I can explore different materials to investigate if magnetic force can be blocked.

New
New
Year 3

Blocking magnetic force

I can explore different materials to investigate if magnetic force can be blocked.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Magnetic forces can act at a distance when some materials are placed between the magnet and the magnetic material
  2. Scientists can carry out investigations to test which materials allow magnetic force to pass through
  3. Sometimes the results of an investigation are different to what was expected or predicted

Keywords

  • Magnetic force - Magnetic force is the force caused by a magnet.

  • Block - To block something is to stop it from moving or having an effect.

  • Non-contact force - A non-contact force is a force which occurs when objects are not touching each other.

  • Material - A material is the thing that objects are made from such as wood.

  • Predict - To predict is to say what you think will happen.

Common misconception

Magnets can exert a force through paper, but not wood, a table, or other thick materials.

Explicit teaching and investigation will clarify that magnetic force can act through a range of materials.

Encourage children to view themselves as scientists as they carry out investigations, working systematically, to test which materials allow magnetic force to pass through.
Teacher tip

Equipment

see additional materials for detailed guidance

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment
  • Exploration of objects

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is the name for the type of force that acts between objects that are touching each other?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: contact force, contact, contact forces
Q2.
Magnets attract metals.
An image in a quiz
silver-coloured
all
Correct answer: some
Q3.
Which of these is not a type of magnet?
bar
Correct answer: triangular
horseshoe
button
Q4.
Yes or no - Is aluminium magnetic?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: no, No
Q5.
Match the pairs of poles to the behaviour of the magnets.
Correct Answer:N and N next to each other,magnets repel

magnets repel

Correct Answer:N and S next to each other,magnets attract

magnets attract

Q6.
Would the magnets in this image attract or repel each other?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: attract, Attract
Q1 UYSEG

6 Questions

Q1.
Scientists can carry out to test which materials allow magnetic force to pass through.
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: investigations
competitions
equipment
Q2.
What are materials?
different items such as pencils and bottles
the things that only clothes are made from
Correct answer: the things that all objects are made from
Q3.
Match the part of an investigation to the definition.
Correct Answer:predict,to say what you think will happen

to say what you think will happen

Correct Answer:observe,to watch carefully

to watch carefully

Correct Answer:conclude,to explain what the results mean

to explain what the results mean

Q4.
Look at the image. If you put a thin piece of wood between the fork and the magnet, would the fork still be attracted to the magnet?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: yes, Yes, true
Q5.
Which of these could you get out of a glass bottle using a magnet?
An image in a quiz
a rubber eraser
a silver ring
Correct answer: a steel screw
Correct answer: an iron nail
a brass key
Q6.
Which of these is the definition of “block”?
to make something move or have an effect
Correct answer: to stop something from moving or having an effect
to have no effect on whether something moves or changes
Q4 thin piece of wood placed between a magnet and a steel fork

Additional material

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