Magnetism!

1. What are some "real life" applications of magnetism.

When I think of "real life" applications surgical processes come to mine. I'm pretty sure magnetism is a huge part of surgery and other medical procedures. I also think of rollarcoasters. Rollarcoasters use magnetic force for speed and the ability to stay connected. Magnets are also a huge part of machinery.

2. What experiences have you had with magnets in your life?

I have had very few experiences. I only recall using and studying magnets in my science courses.

3. What ideas do you have about the scieince of magnets?

I know that paperclips hold on to magnetic force even when seperated from the magnet. I know that minerals play a huge role in the science of magnets.

How do the results compare with your predictions? How do you explain this?

All of my predictions were wrong. I predicted based on size/width/length of the material being tested. I apprently believed "size" could break magnetic force.

I was shocked to learn that iron is what broke the attraction, but then again I did know that minerals played a role in magnetism. I should of put the pieces together. I was also unfamiliar with our testable objects as well as the overal concept of magnets. It is shocking that I learned the basics of magnetism probably in elementary school, but at age 21 I'm clueless on how the process really works. This activity really opened my mind to the importance of learning and retaining information.

What questions do you have? What would you like to explore? What don't you understand?

Overall, I would still like to explore what makes a magnet. Learn how the process really works, in detail. Now I understand how strong a magnetic force is, but I need to learn more about why it works.

Standard/Benchmark 

*Standard B
Light, heat, electricity, and Magnetism

*Magnets attract and repel each other and certain kinds of other materials.

Learning Goals

*Magnets have a north pole and a south pole
*Magnets are strongest at their poles
*Magnets repel certain elements, such as steel, iron, nickel, cobalt, and gadolinium
*Some elements can become tempory magnets because of moving electrons

Learning Performance

*Students locate and label north pole and south pole of the magnet.
*Students demonstrate through presentation how magnets are strongest at their poles
*Students pick up one of the minerals available, such as iron, and demostrates how the magnet repels the      object.
*Students show how three paperclips contected and attracted to the magnet can be seperated and temporarily hold the magnetic force.

Explain how the learning performance you chose would help you to undersatnd what students know about the standard

My learning performance strictly requires demonstration. This demonstration is to be done individually to show me that they understand, without the assistance of others.