Lesson Planning of Investigating Magnets

 

Lesson Planning of Investigating Magnets

Subject General Science

Grade 5^th

Students` Learning Outcomes

• After Studying this lesson, students will be able to:

1. 1. 1. Investigate using a magnet that some materials are “magnetic” and some are “non-magnetic”.
      2. Recognize that a magnet has poles.
      3. Demonstrate that like poles repel each other and unlike poles attract each other.
      4. Investigate that a freely suspended magnet always points in the N-S direction.
      5. Identify the various uses of magnets and magnetic materials in daily life.

Science Processing Skills

Observing, Classifying, Communicating, Inferring, Predicting and Experimenting

Information for Teachers

• Magnet: A thing that has a powerful attraction.
  

 

• Apparently, a magnet is an ordinary thing which we can play with by attracting small metallic objects (Materials).
• Materials can be divided into two groups classified as magnetic or non-magnetic materials.
• Those materials which are attracted by the magnet are called magnetic materials. For example, iron, cobalt and nickel.
• The materials which are not attracted by the magnet are called non-magnetic materials, for example, wood, rubber, glass, copper etc.

 

 

•  Infect there are many uses and advantages of magnets. The electric bell that we use in our homes, works with a magnet. The dynamo that is fitted with the wheel of your bicycle produces electricity with the help of a magnet. This electricity brightens the bulb of the bicycle to provide light. Everybody is aware of the uses of the loud speaker. When we enjoy music on a tape recorder or a deck, the sound reaches your ears through the speaker. The magnet plays an important role in the speaker to produce sound.
• A freely suspended magnet always points in the north-south direction.
• The north-seeking end of the bar magnet is labeled north (N), and the other end is labeled south (S).
  

 

• The ends of a magnet are called its magnetic poles usually North Pole is coloured red and South Pole blue.

 

Material / Resources

Writing board, chalk / marker, duster, an iron stand, two bar magnets, thread, textbook

Introduction

• Start the discussion by asking the following question:

1. Have you seen a piece of metal which can pull common pins and other iron objects?
2. What do you call it?
   

 

• Show a magnet and demonstrate its properties. Initiate a discussion on its shape, properties and uses. Show the children some magnets of different shapes. Allow them to experience the attraction of different magnets. Write the key points of the discussion on the board.
• A magnet is a piece of metal which can attract objects made of iron.
• Magnets are found in nature in a crude form such as a stone known as load stone which attracts iron objects.
• Mostly magnets are made artificially by magnetizing iron.
• Artificial magnets available in different shapes are shown below:
  

 

Development

Activity 1

Magnetic and Non-magnetic Materials

Material Required

• A strong bar magnet, steel pins, steel clips, a piece of wood, copper wire, a pencil, concrete, coins, a plastic ruler, a comb, a paper clip, a glass rod, a crock and an eraser

Method

• Now draws the attention of students towards the simple question that a magnet pulls some objects towards it. Does a magnet attract everything towards it?
• To explore this, students will perform the following experiment. So now divide the class into suitable groups and tell them to follow the given instruction:

1.      Place some pieces of different materials made of metals and non-metals such as; steel pins, clips, rubber and wood pieces, copper wire, pencil, glass pieces, concrete, nickel coins on the table.

2.      Predict which material will be attracted by the magnet?

3.      Now bring a strong bar magnet near each material one by one and observe if the magnet attracts them.

4.      Make lists of materials which are attracted by the magnet as magnetic materials. What are these things made of?

 

5.      Now make a list of the materials which aren`t attracted by the magnet.                 

Activity 2

Properties of Magnet

• To investigate the properties of magnets, we perform the following activities.

Method:

1.      Ask the students to fix a white sheet of paper onto a drawing board with thumb pins.

2.      Place a bar magnet on it.

3.      Sprinkle iron filings onto the bar magnet.

4.      What do you observe?

5.      Are iron filings evenly stuck to all parts of the magnet?

6.      On what parts of the magnets are most of the iron filing stuck?

7.      What do you call the ends of a magnet? 

Explanation:

• Now explain that most of the iron filings are attracted towards the two ends of the bar magnet. These ends are called poles. The magnet effects the strongest at the poles. They are called the north and south poles and are often marked N and S.

Activity 3

Material Required

An iron stand, pencil, bar magnet, thread

Method:

•  

Divide the class into suitable groups and tell them to follow the given instruction:

1.      Hang a pencil with the help of a thread to a stand.

2.      Observe the direction along which it comes to rest.

3.      Move hand and again note its position after it comes to rest.

4.      Has its position changed or does it come to rest at the same position?

5.      Suspend a bar magnet as directed above. 

6.      Note its direction when it comes to rest.

7.      Again move it by hand and observe direction in which  it comes to rest.

8.      Does it always come to rest in a specific direction?

9.      What is that direction?

                                        Activity 4

Material Required

An iron stand, two bar magnets, thread

Method:

1.       Suspend a bar magnet with the help of a thread in such way that it can move freely. 

2.       Now take another bar magnet. Bring the North Pole near the South Pole of the suspended magnet. What do you observe?

3.       Now ring the South Pole of the same magnet near the South Pole of the suspended magnet. Now what happens?

4.       Fill in the table: 

 

                                                  Sum up / Conclusion

• Magnet is a thing that has a powerful attraction.
• Materials can be divided into two groups classified as magnetic or non-magnetic materials.
• Those materials which are attracted by the magnet are called magnetic materials. For example, iron, cobalt and nickel.
• The materials which are not attracted by the magnet are called non-magnetic materials, for example, wood, rubber, glass, copper etc.

 

 

1.      Mark (√) for true sentences and (X) for false ones.

i.                    A magnet is a piece of metal which can attract objects made of wood and plastic.

ii.                  The ends of a magnet are called its magnet poles.

iii.                A freely suspended magnet always points in the N-S direction.

iv.                Unlike poles attract each other.

2.      Match the followings: 

 

3.      What is a magnet?

4.      How many poles does a magnet have? What are they called?

5.      Describe the properties of a magnet.

6.      Write the names of two magnetic materials and two non-magnetic materials.

7.      A, B, and C are three similar bars. One is a magnet, another is iron piece and third a copper bar. How would you identify which is which?

8.      Can you make a magnet with only one pole? Explain.

9.      How can you prove that magnetic poles always exist in pairs?

                                                  Follow up

Divide the class into suitable groups and tell each group to examine and identify various appliances and devices at school, home, and also other places to find where the magnets are used. Next day they should present their findings and write the key points in their notebooks.