EMF – Investigation 2

Focus Questions

2-1  What happens when magnets interact?

2-2 How can we detect a magnetic field?

2-3 What factors affect the force of attraction between magnets?

Vocabulary

attract       compass       gravitational force        induced magnetism

magnet      magnetic field      magnetism        permanent magnet      pole

potential energy      repel     temporary magnet

Concepts

• Magnets stick to (attract) objects that contain iron.

• All magnets have two poles, a north pole on one side, and a south pole on the other side.

• Like poles repel each other, while opposite poles attract each other.

• Magnets are surrounded by an invisible magnetic force field, which acts through space and through all nonmagnetic materials.

• Magnetic materials may become temporary magnets when they interact with magnetic fields.

• The magnitude of the magnetic force between two interacting magnetic fields decreases as the distance between them increases.