magnets

1. Real life applications to magnets:
-collecting nails in workshop
-screwdrivers have magnetic tips to hold nails
-magnetic poles; compasses align with polarity of earth
-MRIs
-clothing sensors
-looking for coins/metal in trash, sand, etc
-credit card has magnetic strip
-MAGLEV trains; track
-rollercoasters


2.Experiences have had with magnets:
-using them to hold things on refrigerator/blackboard
-picking up nails with magnet pole in dad's workshop
-binding
**Experiment shows iron/steel is the only thing that breaks the magnetic field
Once magnets are attracted to magnet, then moved away, remain "magnetize" because the electrons are aligned. Therefore, this paperclip becomes a magnet, having poles which repel the opposite side of the magnet that originally was attached.

3. Ideas have about science of magnets:
-opposites attract
-same repell
-Metal is NOT the only thing to sticks to magnets
-Today's nickel ($ coin) does not actually have the element of nickel in it, therefore does not attach to magnets

Exploring Magnets (on own):
Magnetism is a force created by electricity, known as electrons. These electrons have a negative charge.
-Superconductors for creating electricity are strongest magnets made from coils of wire.
Aluminum, steel-iron, nickel and cobalt can be powerful magnets too.
Questions
How can one small magnet pick up hundreds of things such as nails?
Is there anything in a living organism that can be magnetized?
If a bar magnet is cut in half, how do the poles transfer to the new pieces and create new magnets? How do they maintain their magnetism?
What are the specific elements required for a material to be categorized as magnetic?

Results to Investigation:
I assumed ALL metals would NOT break the magnetic field. I found this assumption to be false because only iron/steel maintain a constant magnetic field. It was hard to figure this out on my own, because during the experiment we got results that concluded otherwise, saying that other elements passed the magnetism through. From my prior knowledge, I thought about things in my life that I have been able to attach to magnets and assumed that they wouldn't break the magnetic field. I find this interesting because I hope that this is a precursor to how I address misconceptions with my future students while having them focus on relating previous experiences to new.