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Year 5 Science · Magnets: a force at a distance

Name: ______________________

Date: ____________

1. Which object will a magnet attract?
- ☐ (a) A plastic button
- ☐ (b) A steel paper clip
- ☐ (c) A sheet of aluminium foil
- ☐ (d) A wooden peg
2. What happens when two north poles are brought together?
- ☐ (a) They attract
- ☐ (b) Nothing happens
- ☐ (c) They repel
- ☐ (d) They become south poles
3. What happens when a north pole is brought near a south pole?
- ☐ (a) They attract
- ☐ (b) They repel
- ☐ (c) They both lose their magnetism
- ☐ (d) They spin around
4. Which statement is true?
- ☐ (a) All metals are magnetic
- ☐ (b) Magnets attract plastic
- ☐ (c) Magnets only work if they touch
- ☐ (d) Magnets can work through paper
5. Why would a magnet NOT pick up an aluminium drink can?
- ☐ (a) Aluminium is not a magnetic metal
- ☐ (b) The can is too shiny
- ☐ (c) The magnet is too big
- ☐ (d) Drink cans are made of plastic
6. A magnet can pull without touching. Is magnetism a contact or non-contact force?
7. A magnet lifted a paper clip through 8 sheets of paper but not through 9. What is the most sheets it worked through?
8. The two ends of a magnet, where the force is strongest, are called its ____.

Answer sheet

1. A steel paper clip — Steel contains iron, which is magnetic.
2. They repel — Like poles repel.
3. They attract — Unlike poles attract.
4. Magnets can work through paper — Magnetism acts through paper, plastic, thin wood and water.
5. Aluminium is not a magnetic metal — Aluminium is a metal, but it is not magnetic.
6. non-contact — Magnetism acts at a distance, so it is a non-contact force.
7. 8 — It worked through 8 sheets but failed at 9.
8. poles — A magnet has a north pole and a south pole.