Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 1

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Define what a magnet is and identify its types.
• Demonstrate the characteristics of magnets: attraction, repulsion, and orientation.
• Explain the practical uses of magnets in everyday life.

Lesson summary

In Force and Motion, magnets are important because they produce a non-contact force (a force that acts without touching). Learners in Ghana meet magnets in everyday life: in speakers and radios, electric motors (fans, blenders), fridge/cupboard latches, magnetic door locks, scrap metal collection, and even compasses used for direction. Understanding how magnets behave helps learners explain attraction/repulsion, direction (North–South), and safe, useful applications.

Lesson notes

2.1 What is a magnet? A magnet is an object that produces a magnetic field and can attract certain materials, especially iron and steel (and also nickel and cobalt, though these are less common in daily life). Magnetic force is a non-contact force: the magnet can pull or push without touching.

Important clarification: Not all metals are attracted by magnets. For example: Attracted: iron nails, steel pins, razor blades (steel), some bottle tops (steel). Not attracted: aluminium spoons, copper wire, brass keys, coins made from non-magnetic alloys (many coins are not strongly magnetic). 2.2 Magnetic materials vs non-magnetic materials Magnetic materials: materials that are attracted by a magnet (iron, steel). Non-magnetic materials: materials not attracted by a magnet (wood, plastic, rubber, glass, aluminium, copper).

Simple classroom test: Bring a magnet near different items (nail, coin, eraser, aluminium foil, key). Record which ones are attracted. 2.3 Poles of a magnet (North and South) Every magnet has two ends called poles: North pole (N) South pole (S)

Pole rule (core behaviour): Unlike poles attract: N attracts S Like poles repel: N repels N, and S repels S

Evaluation guide

• Discuss what magnets are and describe the types of magnets that
• exist
• Demonstrate the characteristics (Repulsive, attractive, and orientation
• N-S direction) of a magnet.