Laboratory Worksheet.

General Physics 2
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Lab Activity 8
Magnetic Force and Field 30 minutes

Let’s Review
Magnetic force is defined as the attractive or repulsive force that is exerted between the two
poles of the magnet and electrically charged moving particles. The two poles that we are talking
about are the north pole and south pole of the magnet. Poles and charged particles are not the
same. The charged particles can easily be isolated while the poles of the magnets are not. If we
cut the magnet into smaller pieces, that small piece still has a north pole and south pole.

The magnetic field is the area around the magnet or current-carrying conductor that shows
where magnetic effects are experienced. Magnetic fields are represented by continuous closed
loops magnetic field lines, as shown in Fig. 8.1. They always emanate from the north magnetic
pole to the south magnetic pole. The more lines (denser) are present, the stronger the magnetic
field.

Fig. 8.1. Magnetic field of two bar magnets

Lab Activity 8. Magnetic Force and Field 1

Laboratory Worksheet.
General Physics 2
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Objectives
At the end of this laboratory activity, the students reinforce the concept that magnets attract
and repel items, and exert a magnetic field that can vary in strength.

Materials
● ziplock bags with a 3 ✕ 5-inch index card and iron filings inside
● paper clips
● bar magnets
● doughnut or horseshoe magnets
● pens or pencils for drawing pictures

Procedure
1. Place the plastic bag on a table and shake it gently back and forth. There should be a thin
layer of fillings on top of the index card in the bag.

2. Place the paper clip on the other end of your desk. Once a nice layer of fillings on the
index card in your bag is achieved, gently lift it and place it right over the paper clip.

3. Place the magnet on the other end of the desk. Similar to Step 1, shake the bag so that
there is a thin layer of filings on the index card. Then, gently lift the bag and place it right
over the magnet. Draw the magnetic field that you can see in Table 8.1.

Reminder
We cannot see the magnetic field but we can observe it by looking how the
iron fillings move around. This is just like the wind, we cannot see it but we
may observe its direction by looking at the leaves on trees.

4. Place the other bar magnet under the zipper-lock bag then observe. After this, use
another bar magnet and observe the magnetic field pattern as well.

5. Place the two bar magnets end-to-end so that they will attract each other and then put
your zipper-lock bag on top. Draw the magnetic field that you can see in Table

Lab Activity 8. Magnetic Force and Field 2

Laboratory Worksheet.
General Physics 2
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

8.1.
6. This time, place the two bar magnets end-to-end so that they will repel with each other.
Put the zipper-lock bag on top and see if the fields look different. Draw the magnetic
field that you can see in Table 8.1.

7. Use a different-shaped magnet (doughnut or horseshoe magnets). Observe the magnetic

field lines formed. Draw the magnetic field that you can see in Table 8.1.

Data and Results

Table 8.1. Data for the illustration of the magnetic field
Magnet position/ type Illustration of magnetic field

bar magnet under the

ziplock bag

bar magnets attracted

to each other

bar magnets repelled

to each other
 other shape of magnet
(doughnut or
horseshoe)

Lab Activity 8. Magnetic Force and Field 3

Laboratory Worksheet.
General Physics 2
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Guide Questions
Answer the following questions.
1. Why does the iron fillings move when the magnet is
near to it?

Magnetic force exists on both the south and north poles of a magnet. The iron fillings started to attract to the
magnet as a result of the magnetic force, creating magnetic flux lines on the magnet.
2. Explain what is the difference between the magnetic
field of the attracted magnet and the repelled magnet.
Compare it also with the other shape of the magnet.

The south pole and the north pole are the two poles of a magnet. The north pole has a disregarding
orientation, while the south pole has an attracting direction. When two separate poles face each other,
attraction is created, while when two identical poles face each other, repulsion is created. The magnetic force
would be directed in the same direction regardless of the form of the magnet.

3. How does the strength of the magnet affect the

magnetic field?

There are proportionally more domains that can align and produce a greater magnetic field when a magnet is
larger than a smaller piece of the same material.
 Lab Activity 8. Magnetic Force and Field 4
Laboratory Worksheet.
General Physics 2
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Conclusion
All in all, I believe that the frequency of the magnetic force is proportional to the magnet's size. The smaller
the magnet, the weaker it is, and the larger the magnet, the more powerful it is. Magnets also have two
different directions depending on how many poles they have. Magnets have the potential to repel as well as
attract.

Bibliography

Giancoli, Douglas C. Physics: Principles with Applications (version 7th edition). Upper Saddle River,
NJ: Pearson Education Inc., 2014.

Young, Hugh D., Roger A. Freedman, A. Lewis Ford, and Hugh D. Young. University Physics.
Boston, MA: Pearson, 2014.
Lab Activity 8. Magnetic Force and Field 5