Demonstrate that attraction and repulsion are related to relative geometric orientation of the magnets and not external parameters. Demonstrate that magnetic strength increases as separation decreases. Demonstrate that certain types of materials in the environment, while not themselves magnetic, do interact with magnets. Magnetism has been 'used' for several thousand years. Magnetism has been understood by science for c. 150 years.
Magnetic objects exert a force on other magnetic objects and act in a particular direction.
Student Activities with Materials Work with magnets to verify attraction, repulsion happens. Agree to a sign convention that allows them to designate the relative sign of the ends of a magnet. Work with ring magnets and washers stacked on pencil to determine magnetic force of interaction is inversely related to separation. Work with magnetic pendulum to determine how pieces of metal, wood, string, rubber or the plastic and metal boxes alter the attraction or repulsion between two magnets. Drop a magnet through the copper and plastic tubes to discover whether magnets alter and modify the space they are located in.