Magnetic poles
I can describe how magnets can attract magnetic materials, as well as attract and repel other magnets.
Magnetic poles
I can describe how magnets can attract magnetic materials, as well as attract and repel other magnets.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- All magnets have a north–seeking pole and a south–seeking pole.
- Unlike magnetic poles attract each other, and similar magnetic poles repel each other.
- Magnetic materials are attracted to both north–seeking and south–seeking magnetic poles.
- Just three metal elements (iron, cobalt and nickel) are magnetic; other metal and non–metal elements are not magnetic.
- A north–seeking pole will point towards the North Pole because Earth has a magnetic field.
Keywords
North–seeking magnetic pole - the end of a magnet that points to the north
South–seeking magnetic pole - the end of a magnet that points to the south
Attract - a force that makes things move together
Magnetic field - an area where a magnetic pole will align in a particular direction
Repel - a force that makes things move apart
Common misconception
All metals are magnetic and an object with a static electric charge is magnetic.
Provide opportunities for pupils to test some metals that are not magnetic, and a balloon with a static electric charge with a magnet.
Equipment
Bar magnets and iron nails.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
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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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
