Grade 4 · Unit 5: Electricity and magnetism
Magnets in everyday life
Magnets hide in fridges, speakers, motors and trains.
What magnets do
A magnet attracts (pulls) things made of iron and steel. Magnets can attract without touching. Their pull can pass through paper, plastic and water.
The force of a magnet works without touching. You can even move a paper clip on a table by moving a magnet underneath.
Magnets at home
Fridge doors have magnetic strips to keep them shut. Cupboard catches, pencil cases and bags often have magnets. Speakers and headphones use magnets to make sound.
Some cupboard doors, handbags and pencil cases close with hidden magnetic catches instead of buttons or zips.
Finding the way
A compass has a tiny magnetic needle. The Earth acts like a giant magnet, so the needle always points north. Sailors, pilots and hikers use compasses to find their way.
Before compasses, sailors found their way using the Sun and stars. The magnetic compass made long sea voyages much safer.
Big magnets
Scrapyards use huge magnets on cranes to lift old cars. Some fast trains float above the track using powerful magnets.
An electromagnet is a coil of wire that becomes a magnet when electricity flows through it. Switch it off and the scrap metal drops.
What I learnt
- I know that magnets attract iron and steel.
- I can describe ways magnets are used in everyday life.