Magnetic Fields and Forces
kit #217
In these two activities students explore magnets and magnetic fields, particularly Earth’s magnetic field.
The first activity provides students with a hands-on experience that allows them to develop operational definitions of magnets, magnetic poles, and magnetic fields.
They continue their exploration of magnetism by examining the effects of Earth’s magnetic field as evidenced by the existence of naturally magnetic rocks and the behavior of navigational compasses.
Students gain the following scientific concepts from this kit:
• Objects change their motion only when a net force is applied.
• The solid earth is layered with a lithosphere; hot convecting mantle; and dense, metallic core
• Moving electric charges produce magnetic force fields.
Accommodates unlimited classes, each with 6 groups of four students.
- Objects change their motion only when a net force is applied.
- The solid earth is layered with a lithosphere; hot convecting mantle; and dense, metallic core
- Moving electric charges produce magnetic force fields.
Content List in Magnetic Fields and Forces is as follows:
Quantity | Description |
---|---|
1 | Teacher’s Guide |
28 | Student Worksheet and Guides |
200 | iron washers |
12 | bar magnets |
6 | magnetic field visualizers |
6 | navigational compasses |
6 | iron nails |
6 | lodestone rocks |
6 | 30-mL cups |
6 | 15-cm rulers |
1 | Transparency 1: Magnetic Fields |
1 | Transparency 2: Earth’s Magnetic Field |
- Number of students
- 24
- Number of groups
- Maximum 6 per period

To complete the two activities in this kit will require two to three ~55 minute periods.