Magnetic Forces Worksheet

Magnets are very useful and have many different functions.

The Earth is a giant magnet, with North and South poles. This picture shows the magnetic fields around the Earth:

Earth as a magnet

In this worksheet you will have fun answering questions about magnetic forces.

Is this statement true or false?

When magnets attract, there are magnetic forces.

Bar magnet

true

false

Is this statement true or false?

A magnet has only a north OR a south pole.

Bar magnet

true

false

Is this statement true or false?

Magnets are used in loudspeakers to make sounds.

true

false

Complete this sentence by writing the missing word below.

The north pole of a magnet will attract the _________ pole of another magnet.

Complete this sentence by writing the missing word below.

Explorers use an instrument called a __________ to help them with direction.

Complete this sentence by writing the missing word below.

Substances that are attracted by magnets are known as _______________ substances.

Complete this sentence.

A freely suspended bar magnet will...

Bar magnet hanging on a thread

come to rest in a north-south direction

keep rotating clockwise

sway from side to side

stay in position with no movement

Complete this sentence.

The pull of a magnet is strongest at...

the north pole

the south pole

both of the poles

the middle of the magnet

Is this statement true or false?

Magnets can attract all metallic substances.

true

false

Which statement about magnets is true?

Bar magnet hanging on a thread

magnets are always bar shaped

all magnets are equally strong

like poles repel

only magnets are attracted to other magnets

ANSWERS

Question 1

Is this statement true or false?

When magnets attract, there are magnetic forces.

Bar magnet

CORRECT ANSWER

true

EDDIE SAYS

There are both attractive and repulsive forces between magnets.

ANSWERS

Question 2

Is this statement true or false?

A magnet has only a north OR a south pole.

Bar magnet

CORRECT ANSWER

false

EDDIE SAYS

All magnets have one north pole and one south pole.

ANSWERS

Question 3

Is this statement true or false?

Magnets are used in loudspeakers to make sounds.

CORRECT ANSWER

true

EDDIE SAYS

Magnets are placed near an electromagnet that has electricity passing through it. The electromagnetism varies with the amount of electricity so the amount of attraction between the permanent magnet and the electromagnet varies. This movement pulls a paper cone in and out that makes the air vibrate. Air vibration is the sound we hear.

ANSWERS

Question 4

Complete this sentence by writing the missing word below.

The north pole of a magnet will attract the _________ pole of another magnet.

CORRECT ANSWER

south

EDDIE SAYS

Poles that are the same repel, poles that are different, attract. In this case a North pole will attract a south pole of another magnet.

ANSWERS

Question 5

Complete this sentence by writing the missing word below.

Explorers use an instrument called a __________ to help them with direction.

CORRECT ANSWER

compass

EDDIE SAYS

Compasses are well known to find the north, and therefore other directions also. Naturally occurring magnets could also be used in days before compasses were made. These naturally occurring magnets were called lodestones.

ANSWERS

Question 6

Complete this sentence by writing the missing word below.

Substances that are attracted by magnets are known as _______________ substances.

CORRECT ANSWER

magnetic

EDDIE SAYS

The most commonly known magnetic substance is iron. The many different sorts of steel are only magnetic because they contain iron. Steel is not magnetic of itself. Two other metals are magnetic, cobalt and nickel. Some of the best magnets are made of Cobalt mixed with other metals.

ANSWERS

Question 7

Complete this sentence.

A freely suspended bar magnet will...

Bar magnet hanging on a thread

CORRECT ANSWER

come to rest in a north-south direction

EDDIE SAYS

The Earth has a north pole and a south pole. The suspended magnet will come to lie with its north pole pointing to the Earth's south pole, and vice versa.

ANSWERS

Question 8

Complete this sentence.

The pull of a magnet is strongest at...

CORRECT ANSWER

both of the poles

EDDIE SAYS

The strongest points of the magnet are at each end: the poles.

ANSWERS

Question 9

Is this statement true or false?

Magnets can attract all metallic substances.

CORRECT ANSWER

false

EDDIE SAYS

No, only pure iron, cobalt and Nickel are magnetic, or alloys (mixtures) that contain these metals. Note that there is something called paramagnetism, but that is beyond this course.

ANSWERS

Question 10

Which statement about magnets is true?

Bar magnet hanging on a thread

CORRECT ANSWER

like poles repel

EDDIE SAYS

The test of magnetism is that poles that are alike repel. Both magnets and magnetic materials that are not magnets attract, so you cannot distinguish between them by attraction.