Investigating Magnetic Forces & Force Fields: Building a Compass
In this activity, students will find that the materials with higher iron contents will serve as better compass needles.
Grade Level: Middle School
Discipline: Physics
Standards: NGSS Standards: MS-PS2-3. Strength of Magnetic & Electric Forces.
MS-PS2-5. Force Fields
The NGSS standards MS-PS2-3 & MS-PS2-5 lead students to "determine the factors that affect the strength of magnetic forces” and “provide evidence that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact with each other.” This activity shows that factors, such as the material used in creating a compass needle, will demonstrate that the Earth's magnetic field exerts a force on a compass needle through field lines extending many miles from the magnetic north pole. In this activity, students will find that the materials with higher iron contents will serve as better compass needles.
Learn more by downloading the activity plan above.
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