1. Forces and Magnets – Block 3FM
Science - Year 3
Forces and Magnets – Block 3FM
Amazing Magnets
Session 5
Session PowerPoints
© Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users.
We refer you to our warning, at the foot of the block overview, about links to other websites.

2. Chain Magnets

3. How can we make a magnet chain?
Each magnet in the chain must be attracted to the next one

4. Would these 2 magnets attract or repel?
Opposite poles Attract

5. Would these 2 magnets attract or repel?
Same poles repel

6. How could we make a chain with these bar magnets?
Test your idea with 4 bar magnets

7. A chain of magnets can be made when opposite poles are pulled together
Magnetic attraction

8. How to play Chain Magnets
The object of the game is to create the longest magnet chain you can
You will play in teams of 6-8 people
Each team has a base in a corner of the playing space
The cardboard magnets will be spread out in the centre of the space
On your teacher’s signal, one person from each team leaves the base to collect a magnet which they put down in their base (red/blue side up)
Another person then goes to collect a magnet. Back at the base, they turn it over to see if it says Attract or Repel
If it says Attract they must lay it down so it would be attracted to the magnet already there
If it says repel they must lay it down so it would repel the magnet already there

9. Once the second magnet has been placed, the next person from the team goes off to collect a magnet
They check the reverse side (only once they are back at base) and lay it down with the first two magnets according to whether it says Attract or Repel.
Attract
Repel

10. The team with the longest chain wins the game
Continue in this way with each team member collecting a magnet in turn and laying it down according to the word on the back
Hopefully a chain will grow, although not all your magnets will be in it
Carry on until there are no more magnets left to collect
The team with the longest chain wins the game

11. Golden Rules Before you play, here’s a reminder Chain of 3 magnets
Players must collect magnets one at a time in turn
Only one person can go off base to collect at a time
You must not turn a magnet over until you bring it back to base
The person collecting the magnet must lay it down, but the other team members can advise them
Think carefully about where to place each new magnet because once the next person goes away from the base, the magnets already laid cannot be moved
Chain of 3 magnets
Repel
This new magnet would now have to start a new chain
Attract

12. It’s time to play
Chain Magnets

13. Science Fair Ideas on Magnetism
Try to think of ideas that …
are fun
make people think
teach people something about magnets

14. 1. Magnetic Fishing
Make a simple fishing rod with a garden cane, some string and a ring magnet
Make a pond with a pond shaped piece of paper or a cardboard box lined with paper.
Cut out fish from coloured card, felt or foam, or draw your own pond creatures on card.
Use a paperclip or paper fastener to make them magnetic

15. Challenge people to: Catch the most fish at a time
Catch the most fish in one minute
Catch 5 fish with the highest total score
Catch all the fish in the fastest time
You can write scores on the back of your fish or pond creatures.

16. 2. Magnetic Tracks
Draw a track, maze or course on a large sheet of card.
Then draw, colour and cut out items to go on your track. Make them magnetic by adding a paperclip or paper fastener to each one.

17. Remember we learnt that magnetic force can work through solid materials, so with a strong magnet under the table you will be able to move your magnet items along the track as if by magic!
Challenge people to:
Move their magnetic item all the way along the track without touching the sides
Get to the end in the fastest time
Race with someone else
Chase someone else, e.g. cat and mouse

18. 3. A Coin Activity
You know that some coins are magnetic and some are not, but the visitors probably won’t. Get them thinking by setting them some coin challenges. For example:
Magnetic
Not magnetic
Asking them to guess which coins are magnetic and which are not from a set. You could give points for how many they get right!
Challenge them to make a penny pyramid
Challenge them to get the highest total amount of money attracted between 2 magnets

19. Collect together and make the resources you need.
Don’t forget you need signs to tell people what your challenge is.
Magnetic
Not magnetic

20. 4. Challenge people to find the strongest magnet
Collect together and make the resources you need.
You will need to make signs and labels to tell people what your challenge is.

21. 5. Guessing game or Quiz
Challenge people to guess which items will be attracted to magnets and which won’t
Make a magnetic quiz game

22. 6. Magnetic Paper Boats
Make a course for sailing boats in a tub of water
Decorate paper boats with permanent pen
Put a paperclip on the front
Challenge people to steer the boat around the course in the shortest time without the magnet touching the paperclip

23. Trying out your idea
Once you have collected and made the things that you need, try out your idea and together decide on the exact task.
What will you ask people to do?
Make a sign to explain the task. Check you have everything you need for people to do it.