Magnets, magnetic fields and electromagnets
Grade 8 Science Worksheet

Circle the best answer, or write your answer on the line.
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Teacher's electromagnet test (example data)
coils batteries paper clips lifted 10 1 4 20 1 8 10 2 8 Each change multiplies the clips lifted. How many clips would Ari's electromagnet lift with 20 coils and 2 batteries together?
Each change multiplies the clips lifted. How many clips would Bo's electromagnet lift with 30 coils and 2 batteries together?
Each change multiplies the clips lifted. How many clips would the electromagnet lift with 20 coils and 3 batteries together, Esme?
Which two rows are a fair test of the iron core alone, Jun?
- Rows 2 and 3, since only the core changes
- Rows 3 and 4, since both have an iron nail
- Rows 1 and 3, since they show the smallest and a large result
- Rows 4 and 5, since they have the biggest difference
Which two rows are a fair test of the number of coils alone, Kira?
- Rows 5 and 6, since both rows have 10 coils
- Rows 1 and 3, since row 3 has 20 coils and a core
- Rows 1 and 2, since only the coils change
- Rows 2 and 4, since both rows have 20 coils
Which two rows are a fair test of the number of batteries alone, Luz?
- Rows 4 and 5, since row 4 has 2 batteries in it
- Rows 2 and 3, since both rows have 1 battery
- Rows 5 and 6, since only the batteries change
- Rows 1 and 6, since they show the biggest change
Which model of the field fits all four compass readings, Milo?
- Lines leave the N pole, curve outside and enter the S pole
- There is no field outside the magnet; the needle just points north
- Field lines go straight out from the magnet in each direction
- Field lines run from the S pole to the N pole outside the magnet
Which model fits all three compass readings between the two magnets, Noah?
Compass readings in the gap between two bar magnets (example data). The magnets face each other across a 2 cm gap, both with their N poles toward the gap. Columns: compass position, direction of the needle's north end. 0.5 cm from the left magnet, toward the right magnet; 0.5 cm from the right magnet, toward the left magnet; middle of the gap, swings and settles nowhere. Compass readings in the gap between two bar magnets (example data). The magnets face each other across a 2 cm gap, both with their N poles toward the gap. Columns: compass position, direction of the needle's north end. 0.5 cm from the left magnet, toward the right magnet; 0.5 cm from the right magnet, toward the left magnet; middle of the gap, swings and settles nowhere. Compass readings in the gap between two bar magnets (example data). The magnets face each other across a 2 cm gap, both with their N poles toward the gap. compass position direction of the needle's north end 0.5 cm from the left magnet toward the right magnet 0.5 cm from the right magnet toward the left magnet middle of the gap swings and settles nowhere - The lines run from one magnet across to the other, as if N faced S
- Each N pole pushes its lines away; the field is near zero in the middle
- The magnets do not affect each other, so the needle ignores them both
- Each magnet's field stops at that magnet's own end, without reaching the gap
Far from magnets, a compass's north end points toward Earth's northern magnetic pole. What kind of magnet pole must it be, Tala?
- An N pole, since the needle's north end points to it
- It acts like an S pole, since unlike poles attract
- An N pole, since like poles attract each other
- Neither, since Earth is not a magnet and has no poles
Electromagnet with an iron nail (example data)
battery connected paper clips lifted compass needle moves yes 14 yes no 0 no What does the table show about the electromagnet's field, Zee?
- The coil stores magnetism after the battery is off
- The nail is a permanent magnet whatever the battery does
- The field depends on the current; with it off, clips drop
- The battery itself is the magnet that lifts the clips