Science Fenns K-5Grades K to 5
A bar magnet with iron filings arranged in curved lines around it on a sheet of white paper.

Science / All lessons / Gravity, Friction and Magnets

Magnetic Patterns

Poles, distance and strength.

Lesson 15 of 40

Try this first

Before we start

Today’s story

Magnetic Patterns

Sam sticks a magnet on the fridge. It holds a drawing. Then he puts two sheets of paper under it. It still holds. With four sheets the magnet slips. Something about the distance matters.

A magnet has two ends called poles. One is north and one is south. Opposite poles attract. Like poles repel. A magnet pulls on iron without touching it. That is a force at a distance. The pull is strongest close to the magnet and gets weaker farther away.

Magnets only pull on certain metals, mostly iron and steel. They do not pull on plastic, wood or aluminum foil. Here are the steps.

See it

Five steps. Every time.

    Hands on

    Magnet Through Paper

    25 minutes · Do this with a grown-up nearby

    You need

    • A bar magnet
    • Five paper clips
    • Stack of copy paper
    • A ruler
    • Notebook

    Do this

    1. Place a paper clip on a table.
    2. Slowly slide the magnet toward it and measure the distance when the clip first moves.
    3. Repeat three times.
    4. Hold a clip against the magnet with one sheet of paper between.
    5. Add sheets one by one until the clip falls.
    6. Write how many sheets the magnet held.
    7. Try again with a second magnet taped on.
    Write or draw: A table with Trial, Distance in centimeters and Sheets held.

    Watch for: Notice how the pull changes as the magnet gets closer. Notice if two magnets reach farther.

    Safety: Keep magnets away from phones, computers and cards, and do not put them in your mouth.

    Same every time

    Three rules

    Rule 1Opposite poles attract.

    Like poles repel.

    Rule 2Closer means stronger.

    Distance weakens the pull.

    Rule 3Not everything is magnetic.

    Check before you guess.

    Grandpa Fenn’s notebook

    Say it like a scientist

    magnet
    An object that pulls on iron and steel.
    pole
    An end of a magnet where the pull is strongest.
    attract
    To pull toward each other.
    repel
    To push away from each other.

    Poppy’s quiz

    Six questions

    Tap an answer. Green means right. You will see why.

    Talk about it

    Say it out loud

    • How do you know a magnet is pulling from a distance and not by touch?
    • Where do magnets hold things at home, such as on a refrigerator or in a cabinet latch?
    Did you know

    Earth acts like a giant magnet. That is why a compass needle points north.

    Someone who does this

    A scrapyard worker uses big magnets to lift steel and sort metals.

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