Physical Science · Forces and Interactions
Magnetic Forces
Use observations and simple data to explain magnetic pushes and pulls across a gap. Compare pole orientation, distance, and specific tested objects.
Teacher workspace
Start with the lesson plan.
45 min~10 min prep6 materialsNGSS verified · 3-PS2-3 · 3-PS2-4
Lesson Plan
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Lesson overview
What students will learn
- Explain from observations that magnetic force can act without objects touching.
- Use pole orientation to predict when two magnets will attract or repel.
Key science ideas
- Opposite poles can attract. Like poles can repel.
- Turning one magnet changes which poles face each other, so the direction of the interaction can change.
- With the same objects and arrangement, magnetic interaction is generally stronger at smaller distances and weaker at larger distances.
Lesson at a glance
- Grade 3
- 45 min
- ~10 min prep
- 3-PS2-3 · 3-PS2-4
- 6 materials
What’s included
- Lesson Plan
- Investigation
- Teacher Slides
- Printable Worksheet
- Teacher Answer Key
- Interactive Activity
- Vocabulary