MAGNETISM
GRADE 7 TECHNOLOGY NOTES
12.1 What is Magnetism?
What is Magnetism?
Magnetism is a force that can pull (attract) or push (repel) certain objects.
Magnets only attract materials that contain iron or some other magnetic metals.
Example:
A fridge magnet sticks to a metal fridge door.
A magnet can pick up paperclips and iron nails.
What is a Magnet?
A magnet is an object that produces a magnetic force.
Magnets can:
Pull magnetic objects towards them.
Push other magnets away.
Attract or repel without touching.
Lodestone
Many years ago, people discovered a special rock called lodestone.
Lodestone:
Is a natural magnet.
Contains a mineral called magnetite.
Can attract iron.
Was once believed to have magical powers.
Magnetic Materials
Magnetic materials are materials that are attracted to magnets.
Examples:
Iron
Steel
Magnetite
These materials will stick to a magnet.
Non-Magnetic Materials
Non-magnetic materials do not stick to magnets.
Examples:
Wood
Plastic
Paper
Glass
Rubber
Ceramic
How Magnets Work
A magnet does not need to touch an object to attract it.
When a magnetic object comes close enough to the magnet, the magnetic force pulls it towards
the magnet.
Example:
If you slowly move a magnet towards a paperclip, the paperclip will suddenly move towards the
magnet.
Everyday Uses of Magnets
Magnets are used in many ways every day.
Examples:
Fridge magnets
Door catches
Speakers
Headphones
Electric motors
Compasses
Toys
Magnetic Force
Magnetic force is the invisible force around a magnet.
It can:
Pull objects closer (attract).
Push objects away (repel).
A magnet works without touching the object.
Magnetic Field
Every magnet has an invisible area around it called a magnetic field.
The magnetic field:
Is strongest near the magnet.
Becomes weaker further away.
Allows the magnet to pull objects from a short distance.
Strong and Weak Magnets
A strong magnet can attract objects from further away.
A weak magnet must be much closer before it attracts an object.
Investigating Magnet Strength
To compare magnets:
1. Place a paperclip on a ruler.
2. Slowly move a magnet towards the paperclip.
3. Measure the distance when the paperclip first moves.
4. Repeat with other magnets.
The magnet that attracts the paperclip from the greatest distance is the strongest.
Key Words
Magnetism – A force that attracts or repels certain objects.
Magnet – An object that produces magnetic force.
Magnetic material – A material that is attracted to a magnet.
Magnetic field – The invisible area around a magnet where magnetic force acts.
12.2 Permanent Magnets and Magnetic Fields
Permanent Magnet
A permanent magnet keeps its magnetic properties for a long time.
It does not lose its magnetism easily.
Examples:
Fridge magnet
Compass magnet
Bar magnet
Temporary Magnet
A temporary magnet acts like a magnet only while it is close to a permanent magnet.
Once it is moved away, it quickly loses its magnetism.
Example:
A paperclip becomes magnetic when it touches a magnet, but loses its magnetism after a short
time.
Types of Magnets
1. Bar Magnet
A bar magnet is shaped like a rectangle.
It has:
One North (N) pole.
One South (S) pole.
The poles are at opposite ends.
2. Horse shoe Magnet
A horseshoe magnet is bent into a U-shape.
The North and South poles are close together.
This makes the magnetic force stronger between the poles.
Magnetic Poles
Every magnet has two poles.
They are:
North Pole (N)
South Pole (S)
Both poles are equally important.
Attraction and Repulsion
Like Poles Repel
When two North poles are brought together, they push away from each other.
When two South poles are brought together, they also push away.
Remember:
North + North = Repel
South + South = Repel
Unlike Poles Attract
When a North pole is brought close to a South pole, they pull towards each other.
Remember:
North + South = Attract
Easy Rule to Remember
Like poles repel.
Unlike poles attract.
Magnetic Field Lines
Although we cannot see magnetic fields, we can show them using iron filings.
Iron filings line up around a magnet to show the shape of the magnetic field.
Magnetic Field Lines:
Start at the North pole.
End at the South pole.
Have arrows showing direction.
Are closer together where the magnetic field is strongest.
Spread further apart where the field is weaker.
Iron Filings
Iron filings are tiny pieces of iron.
They help us see the shape of a magnetic field.
12.3 Which Substances Stick to a Magnet?
Not everything sticks to a magnet.
Some materials are magnetic.
Others are not.
Magnetic Materials
These are attracted to magnets.
Examples:
Iron
Steel
Some coins
Iron nails
Pins
Paperclips
Non-Magnetic Materials
These are not attracted to magnets.
Examples:
Wood
Plastic
Paper
Ceramic
Glass
Rubber
Are All Metals Magnetic?
No.
Some metals are magnetic.
Some metals are not magnetic.
Example:
Iron is magnetic.
Copper is not magnetic.
Aluminium is not magnetic.
Simple Investigation
Test different objects using a magnet.
Record whether they stick or not.
Material Magnetic?
Iron nail Yes
Steel paperclip Yes
Pin Yes
Wood No
Material Magnetic?
Plastic No
Paper No
Ceramic mug No
Why Do Some Objects Stick?
Objects stick to magnets because they contain magnetic materials like iron or steel.
Objects without magnetic materials will not stick.
Summary
Magnetism is a force that attracts or repels certain objects.
Magnets attract iron, steel, and other magnetic materials.
A magnetic field is the invisible area around a magnet.
The magnetic field is strongest near the poles.
Permanent magnets keep their magnetism for a long time.
Temporary magnets lose their magnetism quickly.
Every magnet has a North pole and a South pole.
Like poles repel each other.
Unlike poles attract each other.
Iron filings help us see magnetic fields.
Not all metals are magnetic.
Materials like wood, plastic, paper, and ceramic are non-magnetic.
Words to Learn
Magnetism – The force that attracts or repels certain objects.
Magnet – An object that produces magnetic force.
Lodestone – A natural magnet found in nature.
Magnetite – A mineral found in lodestone that makes it magnetic.
Magnetic field – The invisible area around a magnet where magnetic force acts.
Permanent magnet – A magnet that keeps its magnetism for a long time.
Temporary magnet – A magnet that works only for a short time.
Magnetic material – A material that is attracted to a magnet.
North pole – One end of a magnet.
South pole – The other end of a magnet.
Attract – To pull objects together.
Repel – To push objects apart.
Iron filings – Tiny pieces of iron used to show magnetic fields