Magnet Mania
What are the two poles of a magnet called?
North and South poles
What are the two types of electric charge?
Positive and Negative
What kind of force can act without touching an object?
Non-contact force
What happens when an electric current flows through a wire?
It creates a magnetic field.
If a magnet pulls a paperclip from a short distance away, what type of force is this?
Magnetic force, a non-contact force
What happens when you bring two north poles of magnets close together?
They repel each other.
What happens when a negatively charged balloon is brought near small pieces of paper?
The paper is attracted to the balloon.
Name one force that acts at a distance.
Gravity, magnetism, or electric force
What simple device can you create by wrapping wire around a nail and connecting it to a battery?
An Electromagnet
If a charged balloon is placed next to an aluminum can on a smooth surface, what will happen?
The can will roll toward the balloon due to electrostatic attraction.
The area around a magnet where its force can be detected is called what?
Magnetic Field
What is the name of the force that causes charged objects to attract or repel each other?
Electrostatic force
Why don’t we feel Earth’s gravity pulling on small objects as strongly as a magnet attracts a paperclip?
Gravity is weaker than magnetic forces unless the objects have a huge mass.
How can you make an electromagnet stronger?
Increase the number of wire coils, use a stronger power source, or use a better core material.
If you cut a bar magnet in half, what happens to its poles?
Each half will still have a north and south pole.
What kind of material can become a temporary magnet when placed in a magnetic field?
Ferromagnetic materials, like iron or steel
When a cloth rubs against a balloon, causing the balloon to stick to a wall, what is this process called?
Charging by friction
How can you use a magnet to make another object move without touching it?
By using the magnetic field to attract or repel a metal object.
What household item uses an electromagnet to make a loud sound?
A doorbell or a speaker
A student builds an electromagnet by wrapping wire around a nail and connecting it to a battery. Why might it not work?
Possible reasons: no complete circuit, poor wire connections, or using an insulated wire without removing the coating.
Why does Earth have a magnetic field, and how does it help us?
Earth’s outer core generates a magnetic field, which protects us from solar radiation and helps with navigation.
Why does a charged object attract a neutral object?
The electric field of the charged object causes charge separation in the neutral object, leading to attraction.
What do we call the area around a charged object where electric forces can be felt?
Electric field
How does a generator produce electricity?
It moves a coil of wire through a magnetic field, inducing an electric current.
A student sees that a charged balloon attracts small pieces of paper but then drops them after a few seconds. Why?
The paper pieces become charged over time and repel from the balloon.