Magnetic Poles
CONCEPTUALDescribe magnets as having two poles (north and south) and predict whether two magnets will attract or repel based on which poles face each other
Mastery Evidence
- Identify and label the north and south poles of a magnet
- State the rule: like poles repel, opposite poles attract
- Predict the outcome of bringing two magnets together based on their pole orientation
Assessment Prompt
“Can [child] hold two magnets together and explain why they sometimes snap together and sometimes push apart, based on which ends are facing?”
Curriculum Standards4 alignments
3-PS2-3Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) K-5codes only3-PS2-4Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) K-5codes onlyY3.Sci.FM.5The national curriculum in Englanddescribe magnets as having 2 poles
Y3.Sci.FM.6The national curriculum in Englandpredict whether 2 magnets will attract or repel each other, depending on which poles are facing
Prerequisites1
- Magnetic MaterialshardAges 7—8
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- Contact & Non-Contact Forces hard
Must know about non-contact forces before investigating magnetic attraction/repulsion
- Drawing Force Diagrams soft
Distinguishing contact and non-contact forces is clarified by drawing force diagrams showing where arrows originate
- Friction & Surfaces hard
Must experience contact forces like friction before distinguishing contact vs non-contact forces
- Pushes & Pulls hard
Must understand forces change motion before comparing movement on different surfaces
- Drawing Force Diagrams soft
Understanding pushes and pulls as forces is supported by the arrow representation of magnitude and direction
Unlocks1
- Magnetic FieldshardAges 11—12