Magnetic Poles
Describe magnets as having two poles (north and south) and predict whether two magnets will attract or repel based on which poles face each other
What a learner can do afterwards
- Identify and label the north and south poles of a magnet
- State the rule: like poles repel, opposite poles attract
- Predict the outcome of bringing two magnets together based on their pole orientation
The lesson
Every magnet has two ends. One end is called the north pole. The other end is called the south pole. We write N for north and S for south. A magnet's pull is strongest right at its poles.
Magnets follow one simple rule. Like poles repel, so two poles that are the same push each other away. Opposite poles attract, so a north pole and a south pole pull toward each other.
Mia holds two bar magnets with N facing out on both. When she brings the two N ends close, they push apart. Then she flips one magnet around, so N faces S. Now the magnets snap together.
Before you bring two magnets together, check the letters on each end. Same letters facing each other means push apart. Different letters facing each other means pull together.
Every magnet has a north pole and a south pole: like poles push apart, and opposite poles pull together.
Watch it
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Where this leads
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