Magnets can make some objects move even when they are not touching them.
📋 NGSS Standard: 3-PS2-1 — Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.
🎯 Learning Objective
Students will plan a fair magnet investigation, test how distance and material affect magnetic force, and use evidence to explain why some objects move without being touched.
💡 The Big Idea
Magnetic force can act from a distance, but the strength of the pull changes depending on the material and how far away the magnet is.
🔬 The Science
Science Snapshot
Magnetic force is a non-contact force: it changes motion even before objects touch.
What is happening?
Magnets can exert a force without direct contact. Their magnetic field can attract certain materials and pull them from a short distance away.
Why it works that way
This makes magnets useful examples of non-contact forces. The force gets weaker with distance, and it only affects certain materials strongly, which helps students see that forces can act invisibly but still have predictable effects.
Look for this in the lesson
Students should focus on the idea that a force can act across space. The evidence is the motion change even though no touching occurred first.
Ask while you read: What evidence shows that the magnet was pulling before contact happened?
📦 Materials
2 bar magnets or refrigerator magnets
6–10 test objects such as paperclips, foil, plastic spoon, coin, craft stick, fabric, key, twist tie, eraser
Try to include a mixed set: one clearly magnetic object (like a paperclip), one metal object that may not be magnetic (like some coins), and one non-metal object.
3 index cards or sheets of paper to create different testing barriers/distances
Ruler
Pencil
Printed Student Worksheet
🔬 Let's Get Started
Step 1 — Plan a fair test (5 min) Choose 4 to 6 test objects and record a prediction for each one. Decide what will stay the same in every trial: the same magnet, the same starting distance, and the same way of checking for movement.
Step 2 — Test which materials respond (8 min) Bring the magnet close to each object without touching it. Record whether the object moved, did not move, or only moved a little. This gives you stronger evidence than a simple yes or no list.
Step 3 — Test how distance changes the pull (10 min) Use a ruler or stacked index cards to test the same magnetic object from different distances. Try very close, a little farther away, and farther still. Record when the object stops moving. This is the part that levels the investigation up.
Step 4 — Test through barriers (8 min) Place a paperclip under one sheet of paper, then under two or three sheets. Move the magnet above the stack and compare what happens. Ask whether the force still works and whether it feels weaker.
Step 5 — Make a claim from evidence (10 min) Use your notes to write a short claim: magnets can pull some objects without touching, but the effect depends on the material and the distance. Back it up with two pieces of evidence from your investigation.
💬 Discussion Questions
🗣️ Question 1: Which materials responded most clearly to the magnet?Look for: iron or steel objects such as paperclips, some keys, or other strongly magnetic items.
🗣️ Question 2: What changed when the magnet was farther away?Look for: the pull became weaker, the object moved less, or it stopped moving altogether.
🗣️ Question 3: Why is this a better investigation than testing only one object one time?Look for: students gathered more evidence, compared conditions, and looked for patterns instead of making one observation.
🗣️ Question 4: What claim can you make about magnetic force from your evidence?Look for: magnetic force can act without touching, but it depends on the object and distance.
✨ Extensions
📏 Distance graph: Make a simple bar graph showing how many paper layers or how much distance the magnet could still work through.
🧲 Compare two magnets: Test whether one magnet can pull from farther away than another.
📝 Evidence paragraph: Write a short explanation using the words magnetic field, distance, and evidence.
👩🏫 Parent/Teacher Notes
Safety note: Keep magnets away from electronics, credit cards, and anything medically sensitive.
Choose a mixed test set: Include one object you expect to be magnetic, one metal object that may not be magnetic, and one clearly non-metal object so the pattern is easier to see.
Mixed results are useful: If a key, coin, or household metal item gives an unexpected result, treat that as good science evidence to talk about rather than a lesson failure.
Misconception check: Students often think all metals are magnetic. Let the evidence show that only some are.
Assessment check: Students should explain that the object's motion is evidence of a force acting from a distance.
Little Lab Coats
🧲 Student Worksheet — Magnets Pull Without Touching 🧲
The objects that were magnetic had this in common: __________________________________.
This investigation shows a force can act without touching because __________________________________.
Part 3 — Draw It
Draw the paper test or one object moving toward the magnet.
Draw here ✏️
🔑 Parent Answer Key
Detach note: This page is for parent/teacher reference. Student wording may vary if the science idea is correct.
Part 1
Predictions vary. Paperclips and some steel objects should be attracted. Plastic, wood, fabric, and many coins should not be.
Part 2
Objects that were magnetic usually contained iron or steel.
The investigation shows a force can act without touching because the object moved before direct contact happened.
What Success Looks Like
Student can describe magnetism as a force that can act from a distance.
Student can identify that only some materials are magnetic.
Student uses observations as evidence.
Troubleshooting / Misconceptions
If a student says all metal is magnetic, compare results from a paperclip and a coin.
If a key or coin gives a surprising result, remind students that household objects can vary and that the evidence still helps us build the pattern.
If an object response is weak, move the magnet closer and repeat the test carefully.
🥼
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