Author: Amanda McGarrigle

Science
Forces and magnets

Background Information
This ‘Forces and Magnets’ unit will teach your class about forces, friction and magnetic attraction. They will learn about forces in the context of pushing and pulling, and will identify different actions as pushes or pulls. The children will work scientifically and collaboratively to investigate friction, by exploring the movement of a toy car over different surfaces. They will work in a hands on way to identify magnetic materials. Furthermore, they will conduct an investigation into the strength of different types of magnet. The children will have chance to explore the way magnetic poles can attract and repel in an exciting activity, making their own compass and using it to find hidden items. The children will use their understanding of magnetic attraction to design and create their own magnetic game. They will develop their scientific enquiry skills, making observations, predictions and conclusions.

In this unit the children will…
• Compare how things move on different surfaces
• Notice that some forces need contact between two objects, but magnetic forces can act at a distance
• Observe how magnets attract or repel each other and attract some materials and not others
• Compare and group together a variety of everyday materials on the basis of whether they are attracted to a magnet, and identify some magnetic materials
• Describe magnets as having two poles
• Predict whether two magnets will attract or repel each other, depending on which poles are facing.

By the end of this unit….
All children can:
• Identify forces as pushes and pulls.
• Describe friction as a force that slows objects down.
• Feel the pulling force of a magnet.
• Sort materials according to whether they are magnetic or not.
• Participate in an investigation into magnet strength.
• Identify the different poles of a bar magnet.
Most children will:
• Identify the type of force required to carryout an action.
• Investigate the force of friction produced by different surfaces.
• Explain that magnets produce an invisible pulling force.
• Identify magnetic materials.
• Identify different types of magnet.
• Explain their predictions and conclusions using key words or prompts.
Some children will:
• Make generalisations about the types of surfaces that produce the most or least friction.
• Identify and describe the invisible magnetic field around a magnet.
• Make generalisations about the types of materials that are attracted to magnets.
• Explain their predictions and conclusions.

Key Vocabulary
Magnets – bar and horseshoe
Attract, repel
North and south poles
Magnetic
Magnetic field

The children will explore:
How does the type of surface on the table affect the speed of the tub travelling on it?
What are magnets used for?
Which materials are attracted to magnets?
Comparative test - Which magnet is the strongest?
Problem-solving – Make a fridge magnet and a compass