Lesson 15 — Forces at a Distance: Magnetism and Gravity

Physical sciences. Students explore forces that act at a distance. They investigate magnetism as a non-contact force: magnets have two poles, like poles repel and unlike poles attract, a magnetic field can be seen with iron filings (teacher-handled for safety), and magnetism can even act through other objects. They test a range of objects and sort them into magnetic and not magnetic (discovering that only some metals, like iron and steel, are attracted). Gravity is revisited as another force at a distance that pulls everything towards Earth. Everyday uses of magnets (fridge magnets, fasteners, screens) connect the science to daily life. Includes a slide deck with an animated attract/repel and magnetic-field visual, and the Magnetic or Not? worksheet. Safety: the teacher handles iron filings.