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Everyday Machines / Week 07 / Thursday
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Week 07 · Magnets at Home

Thursday

Test the pull through paper
// A pull you can feel but not see
⏱ about 15 min

Thursday: Test the Pull Through Paper

Rocket puts a paper clip on a sheet of paper.

He slides a magnet under the sheet. The clip follows it!

"It moves and nothing touches it," he says.

Raven adds a second sheet. "What do you notice now?"

Nova hums. "Keep adding. When does the clip stop following?"

A pull that reaches through

A magnet pulls on steel without touching it.

The pull reaches through paper, cloth and cardboard.

It reaches through glass, plastic and wood too.

It even reaches through water.

A fair test

We change one thing: how many sheets of paper.

Everything else stays the same.

Same magnet. Same paper clip. Same table.

  • One magnet
  • One steel paper clip
  • Ten sheets of paper
Safety first
Magnets and paper clips never go in a mouth.
Keep them away from younger brothers and sisters.
Keep the magnet away from screens, phones and cards.
Put the magnet away when you finish.
  1. Put one sheet of paper on the table.
  2. Put the paper clip on top.
  3. Hold the magnet under the paper. Slide it.
  4. Does the clip follow? Mark yes or no.
  5. Add one more sheet and try again.
  6. Stop when the clip no longer follows.
Sheets of paperDid the clip follow?
1
2
3
4
5
More
WHAT HAPPENED?
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
What one thing did we change in the test?
Did the magnet touch the paper clip?
The clip stops following. What should you do?
SentenceTrue or false?
A magnet can pull a clip through paper.?
A magnet must touch steel to pull it.?
A fair test changes only one thing.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEA magnet pulls without touching, and a fair test shows how far.
RUN THE TEST
  • Tap a card.
  • Then tap its spot.
1First
2Next
3Then
4Last
Try it
Try the same test with a thin book.
Does the clip still follow the magnet?
Try a plastic lid or a wooden board.
THROUGH WHAT?
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Can a magnet pull a clip through a plastic lid?
Can a magnet pull a clip through a glass of water?
Raven added a second sheet. Was that a fair test?
Draw your test. Show the magnet, the paper and the clip.

You ran a fair test and recorded a result!

Tomorrow, you explain it all in your own words.

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