Magnet Sorting: What Sticks and What Doesn't
Exploring which materials are attracted to magnets
Magnet Sorting: What Sticks and What Doesn't
Exploring which materials are attracted to magnets
Science - Grade 2-3
- 1
Mia tests a metal paper clip with a magnet. The paper clip sticks to the magnet. What can Mia conclude about the paper clip?
Objects that stick to magnets are usually made with iron or steel.
Mia can conclude that the paper clip is made of a magnetic metal, such as steel or iron, because it sticks to the magnet. - 2
Circle the objects that you think will stick to a magnet: plastic spoon, steel nail, wooden pencil, iron key, rubber eraser.
The steel nail and iron key will stick to a magnet because they are made of magnetic metals. The plastic spoon, wooden pencil, and rubber eraser will not stick. - 3
A student holds a magnet near a wooden block. The block does not move or stick. Is wood magnetic or nonmagnetic?
Nonmagnetic materials do not get pulled by a magnet.
Wood is nonmagnetic because it does not stick to the magnet. - 4
Look at this sorting chart. Put each object in the correct group: coin, steel paper clip, plastic button, iron bolt.
Think about what material each object is made from before sorting it.
The steel paper clip and iron bolt belong in the sticks to a magnet group. The plastic button belongs in the does not stick group. The coin may not stick because many coins are not made of magnetic metal. - 5
Liam says, "All metal objects stick to magnets." Is Liam correct? Explain your answer.
Liam is not correct. Some metals stick to magnets, such as iron and steel, but some metals, such as aluminum and copper, usually do not stick. - 6
A magnet is placed near an aluminum soda can. The can does not stick. What does this show about aluminum?
Not every metal is magnetic.
This shows that aluminum is not attracted to the magnet. Aluminum is a nonmagnetic metal. - 7
You have a toy car, a glass marble, a steel screw, and a cloth sock. Which object is most likely to stick to a magnet?
The steel screw is most likely to stick to a magnet because steel is a magnetic metal. - 8
A magnet picks up three objects from a tray: a paper clip, a nail, and a washer. What do these objects probably have in common?
Look for the property that all three objects share.
These objects probably have magnetic metal in them, such as iron or steel, because they were picked up by the magnet. - 9
Sofia wants to find out if a mystery object is magnetic. What simple test should she do?
Sofia should hold a magnet near the mystery object and observe whether the object is pulled toward the magnet or sticks to it. - 10
Write one sentence that compares magnetic and nonmagnetic objects.
Use the words magnetic, nonmagnetic, and magnet in your sentence.
Magnetic objects stick to magnets, but nonmagnetic objects do not stick to magnets.