Virginia SOL PS.9.d
The Standard
magnetic fields cause the magnetic effects of certain materials
Virginia Standards of Learning for Science · The student will investigate and understand that there are basic principles of electricity and magnetism. Key ideas include
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students use iron filings or compasses to map the region around a magnet. They explain how that region affects nearby objects and identify materials, such as iron, nickel, and cobalt, that respond strongly.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can sketch the field around a bar magnet, label its poles, and predict compass needle direction. The student can use test results to explain why an iron nail responds but plastic does not.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think every metal is magnetic, including aluminum and copper. They may also think magnetism exists only at the poles or that field lines are physical objects.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Draw the field around a bar magnet, show how a compass points at two locations, and explain why an iron paper clip moves nearby.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Place small compasses around a bar magnet, mark each needle direction on paper, and connect the marks into a field map.
Write a claim explaining why a steel paper clip moves toward a magnet while an aluminum foil square does not.
Run a magnetic or not card sort using iron, steel, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, copper, wood, and plastic objects.
Examine a magnetic cabinet latch and sketch where the field causes the metal plate to move as the door closes.
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Printable PS.9.d Worksheet
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