New
New
Year 3

Strongest magnet (non-statutory)

I can explore the strength of different magnets and find fair ways to compare them.

New
New
Year 3

Strongest magnet (non-statutory)

I can explore the strength of different magnets and find fair ways to compare them.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Magnets vary in strength, with strong magnets creating larger magnetic forces
  2. Magnetic forces can act at a distance, so magnets do not need to be touching to exert a force
  3. Scientists ask questions and then plan how to carry out the right type of investigation to find answers
  4. The results of a scientific investigation can be compared to other investigations that have been carried out

Keywords

  • Strength - The strength of something is shown by how well it can withstand a force or pressure.

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

  • Material - The material is the thing that objects are made from such as wood, metal or plastic.

  • Distance - The distance between two points is the length of space between them.

  • Compare - We compare things by looking at what is the same and what is different.

Common misconception

Larger magnets are always stronger than smaller magnets.

Explicit teaching as well as opportunities for children to explore different size magnets and their strengths.

In the second and third learning cycles, make sure children are aware of the ways in which they are working like a scientist. Remind them that results may not always show what they expect but that does not mean the investigation went “wrong”.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Magnets, rulers and magnetic materials. See additional materials for more 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.
Which material are all magnets made of?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: metal, metals
Q2.
A magnet is a metal which attracts...
An image in a quiz
some plastics
all metals
Correct answer: some metals
all plastics
Q3.
What does the S on the end of a bar magnet stand for?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: south-seeking
south-avoiding
south-facing
Q4.
If a force acts without objects touching each other, it is called a ...
An image in a quiz
contact force
Correct answer: non-contact force
touching force
contact free force
Q5.
Match the force to its type.
Correct Answer:magnetic force,non-contact force

non-contact force

Correct Answer:friction force,contact force

contact force

Q6.
William Gilbert discovered that the Earth was like a giant...
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: magnet, bar magnet
Q1 UYSEG Q4 UYSEG

6 Questions

Q1.
Stronger magnets create magnetic forces.
Correct Answer: stronger, larger, bigger, greater
Q2.
Magnets do not need to be __________ an object to cause a force.
near
close to
Correct answer: touching
Q3.
Starting with 'ask a question', sort these activities into the order that a scientist would usually do them.
1 - ask a question
2 - plan an investigation
3 - do an investigation
4 - record the results
5 - compare results
Q4.
Which of these are reasons why scientists compare their results?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: to look for patterns
to meet other scientists
Correct answer: to check whether results are reliable
Q5.
Match the measurement the scientist wants to make, with the investigation they should try.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:Magnetic strength by distance,Measure how far away a magnet could attract an iron nail.

Measure how far away a magnet could attract an iron nail.

Correct Answer:Magnetic strength by mass,Measure how many iron nails a magnet could hold.

Measure how many iron nails a magnet could hold.

Q6.
Yes or no - Do these results suggest that the same magnet is the strongest?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: No, no

Additional material

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