Magnet investigation

Magnet investigation

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about investigating the strength of magnets.
Jay had 5 different magnets. She tested each magnet to see how many paperclips it could pick up.
This table shows how many paper clips each magnet picked up.
  
 

Magnet 1

Magnet 2

Magnet 3

Magnet 4

Magnet 5

Number of paper clips

5

4

7

1

4
 
a)		  
Draw a bar graph to show this information.


b)
i)

ii)

Which magnet is the strongest? ____________________

Why do you think this?

 
 
 
 
 
 
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper.
Level:
2
Curriculum info: 
Science, Communicating in science, Physical World
Keywords: 
physics concepts, magnetism, magnets, graphs, graph construction, graph interpretation
Description of task: 
Data from a test of comparative strengths of different magnets is provided. Students graph the data and make a conclusion.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
This resource provides opportunities to discuss the graph we choose to show data depends on the type of data collected. 
An example of how this resource could be adapted to highlight the Science capability: Critique evidence is available on TKI.
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Making Better Sense: 
Magnetic Strength
Answers/responses: 
 

Y4 (11/2001)

a)

  

Draws a bar graph.

All bars (points) drawn accurately.

1 mistake made, e.g., bars are touching.

very easy

easy

very easy

b)

i)
ii)

Magnet 3
Because it/magnet 3 picked up the most paper clips.

moderate