Magnetic Force
Direction
Random
Open-Ended
100
  • Define and give 1 example of the word “attract” as it relates to magnetic fields.

When objects are pulled together. An example is the north pole and south pole of magnets. 

100
  • Which direction do magnetic field lines go when magnets attract?
  • Most field lines connect one pole of one magnet to the opposite pole of the other magnet.
100
  • Make a claim on which roller coaster design you predict will be the fastest (provide evidence and reasoning).

Magnetic Alignment, number of coils, distance of cart between magnetic launch pad, and rail type are all acceptable pieces of evidence. For example: 

 Nevi’s rollercoaster design will be the fastest because of Nevi’s magnetic pole alignment. The magnets in Nevi’s design have the same poles facing each other. Therefore, the greatest amount of potential energy will be built up. The more potential energy builds up, the faster the cart will go once released.  

200
  • Define and give 1 example of the word “repel” as it relates to magnetic fields.

When objects are pushing away from each other. An example is the same poles of magnets. 

200
  • Which direction do magnetic field lines go when magnets repel?

All field lines connect one pole of a magnet to the opposite pole of that same magnet.

200

Shanika wants to get the largest increase in potential energy she can by moving one car one space to the left or the right.

Shanika can move Car 1 to point A or point B, or she can move Car 2 to point C or point D. Which movement should she make? Why will that movement result in the largest increase in potential energy? Describe the magnetic force that will act on the roller coaster car she moves.

She should move Car 1 to point B. This will result in the largest increase in potential energy because the same poles will be the closest to each other. The magnetic force will repel the most on Car 1 being moved to point B.  

300
  • What alignment are the magnetic poles when two magnets are attracting?

The opposite poles are aligned. 

300

Both vehicles move one space closer to the center magnet.

How did the potential energy of the two vehicles change? Did the potential energy of one vehicle change more than the other? Why do you think so?



The potential energy in both the vehicles changed and increased as they both moved closer to the center magnet. The potential energy changed more in Car 2 because Car 2 is closer to the center magnet than Car 1. The closer the same poles are to each other, the greater the increase in potential energy because the more the magnets will repel. 

400
  • What alignment are the magnetic poles when two magnets are repelling?

The same poles are aligned. 

400

What makes a strong claim? 

Evidence and reasoning. 

500
  • Explain the difference between a magnet and an electromagnet.

Magnets are always magnetized. Electromagnets are magnetized only by electricity.  

500
  • When you bring the same magnetic poles closer to each other, potential energy __________. When you bring opposite magnetic poles closer to each other, potential energy _________.

increases, decreases

500

Give one piece of evidence to predict a faster roller coaster design

Magnetic Alignment, number of coils, distance of cart between magnetic launch pad, and rail type (all acceptable)