YEAR 8 SCIENCE MAGNET AND COMPASS INVESTIGATION and REPORT

Question: How and why does a magnet affect the direction of a compass? In this lab you will investigate the properties of the magnetic field around a bar magnet. Download simulation: http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/magnet-and-compass 1. Open the simulation and uncheck all boxes 2. Set strength to 75% 3. Check the show compass box a) Move the compass to 20 different positions around the magnet b) Draw a fully labeled and accurate diagram to show the compass direction in these positions c) Take an image/scan of your diagram to include in your document. d) Explain the process of what you did to obtain the information in your diagram. I used Magnet and compass application to draw my diagram. I drew the magnet in the middle of the paper, moved the compass in 16 different positions and drew the needle showing the north and south direction. Then I ticked see inside magnet box and drew the needles which were pointing to the north side of the magnet. 4. Check the see inside magnet box Draw the new information on your diagram. Use colour to indicate north direction.

5. Describe what happens when you move the compass (50-100 words). When I move the compass, the direction the needles pointing to, moves according to where I move the compass. The north part of the needle always points to the south pole of the magnet, and the south part of the needle always points to the north pole of the magnet. 6. Explain why this occurs (50-100 words). This occurs because the compass has the same properties as the magnet. When two same poles of magnets meet, they repel each other. When two different poles meet, they attract each other. So, when the compass is close to the south part of the magnet, the north part of the needle attracts and when the compass is close to the north side, south part of the magnet attracts. The compass is like another magnet. 7. Change the strength to different values. Try 100%, 50%, 25%, 10%. What affect do these changes have on the compass? Which location affects the compass the most. Which affects it the least? (50-100 words) When I change the strength of the magnet to 100%, the magnetic field gets bigger and affects the direction of the compass more. When it is down at 10%, the magnetic field is much smaller and doesnt affect the compass when it is further away from the magnet. The location that affects the compass most is when the compass is right beside the magnet and the location that affects the compass least when it is at the corner of the magnetic field. 8. Write a concise summary about this investigation, which includes an answer to the opening question (maximum 100 words) In this investigation I had to figure out how and why the compass affects the direction of the needle. I realized that the compass has the same properties as the magnet. So when the same poles meet, it repels and when two different poles meet, they attract each other.

9. The report will be assessed against MYP Science Assessment Criterion B and Criterion C. Please download this document from Google Drive and read the descriptors carefully. DUE DATE: TUESDAY 20 AUGUST