Feel the Force: Magnetism Criterion C Summative Assessment: Processing and Evaluating Inquiry Question How does the distance between two neodymium magnets affect the magnetic force between them? Background and Aim Neodymium magnets are very strong permanent magnets. Each disc has a north pole on one face and a south pole on the other. Two magnets exert a force on each other without touching: like poles repel and unlike poles attract. In this investigation, one magnet is held above a second magnet that is fixed to a block on a top-pan balance. The balance displays mass in grams. When the magnets interact, the force between them changes the balance reading: an increase in the reading means the magnets repel, and a decrease means they attract. Near Earth's surface, the force on a mass m is F = mg, where g = 9.8 N/kg. Aim: To investigate how the magnetic force between two neodymium magnets changes as the distance between them changes, when the magnets repel and when they attract. Variables Independent variable Distance between the facing surfaces of the two magnets (mm) Dependent variable Magnetic force (N) between the magnets, found from the change in balance reading Controlled variables Same pair of magnets, block and balance; magnet faces parallel with their axis vertical; same range and interval of distances for both orientations; same bench location; no iron or steel objects near the magnets; same procedure for every reading Equipment (per group) Item Quantity Notes Lab stand, boss and clamp 1 Sensitive electronic top-pan balance 1 Has a TARE/ZERO button Small neodymium disc magnets 2 Block of non-magnetic material (wood or plastic) 1 Sticky tack or double-sided sticky tape 1 piece Modified Vernier micrometer (or similar screw assembly) 1 Prepared by teacher or technician Ruler (mm scale) 1 Safety glasses 1 per student Lab stand and clamp holding a modified micrometer with a neodymium magnet above a second magnet on a wooden block on an electronic balance Set-up diagram: Sciences for the IB MYP 4&5: by Concept (Hodder), Figure 2.25. Safety Hazard Control Magnets snapping together (pinched skin) Keep magnets at least 10 cm apart when not in use. Handle one magnet at a time. Use the micrometer, not your fingers, to bring the magnets closer. In the attract orientation, do not reduce the gap below the smallest distance your teacher approves. Brittle magnets chipping or shattering Wear safety glasses throughout. Do not let magnets collide. Tell your teacher about any chipped magnet. Strong magnetic fields Keep phones, laptops and bank or ID cards at least 30 cm away. Tell your teacher before the lesson if you have a pacemaker or other implanted medical device. Stand tipping or equipment falling Check the stand is stable and the clamp is tight before starting. Small magnets lost or swallowed Never put magnets near your mouth. Count the magnets at the start and end of the lesson. Method 1. Set up the lab stand, boss, clamp and micrometer as shown in the diagram. The spindle of the micrometer is the only moving part. 2. Stick one magnet to the top of the block and the other to the bottom of the micrometer spindle. Make sure the magnet faces are parallel. 3. Place the block on the balance pan. Before the micrometer is clamped in position, press TARE/ZERO so the balance reads 0 g. 4. Clamp the micrometer so the two magnets are directly above one another with their axis vertical. 5. Adjust the distance between the magnets using the boss and clamp until you just see a change in the balance reading. Use the change to identify whether the magnets are repelling or attracting. 6. Measure the gap between the facing surfaces of the magnets with the ruler. This is your starting distance. 7. Use the micrometer to decrease the gap in equal steps. Decide the range of distances and the interval between them, and keep them the same for every trial. Collect readings at a minimum of six distances. 8. At each distance, wait until the balance reading is steady, then record it in grams. Take three readings at each distance. 9. Flip one magnet so the magnets now interact in the opposite way. Repeat steps 3 to 8. Other Considerations * Data collection takes place in groups. Every member of the group may use the group's raw data. * Record every balance reading exactly as displayed, with its units. * Keep iron and steel objects away from the apparatus while you collect data. * Return all equipment to the technician at the end of the lesson. Count the magnets. Your Task: Individual Lab Report Write an individual lab report in a Google Doc. Make a copy of the report template your teacher shares with you. Use the section headings exactly as they appear in the template. Section Criterion C strand Inquiry Question Not assessed Hypothesis Assessed in Section III I. Data Presentation i II. Data Interpretation and Analysis ii III. Evaluation of Hypothesis iii IV. Evaluation of Method iv V. Suggestions for Improvements and Extensions v Criterion C is marked out of 8, across strands i to v. Your group's raw data may be shared, but everything you write, process, graph and conclude must be your own work. Report Format Document Google Doc. Name the file: Zurich_Surname_Firstname_Magnetism_Report. Text Calibri or Arial, 11 pt. Line spacing 1.15. Margins 2.54 cm. Headings in the template style (Heading 2). Writing style Formal scientific style. Past tense for what you did and found. Present tense for scientific explanations. Write in full sentences and paragraphs. Tables Build in Google Docs (Insert > Table). Number each table and give it a title above the table (Table 1, Table 2, ...). Graphs Create in Google Sheets and insert into your Doc. Number each graph and give it a title below the graph (Figure 1, Figure 2, ...). Equations Use Insert > Equation. Show at least one worked calculation for each type of calculation you use. Length Aim for 3 to 5 pages, including tables and graphs. Submission and Academic Integrity * Share your Google Doc with your teacher (Editor access) before the due date and time. Do not edit it after the deadline. * The report must be your own work. Complete the declaration at the end of the template, including any use of AI tools. Khuat Luong Van Anh IB MYP Science 4 __________(Date of Submission)__________ Submitted to: Ms. Rayshel Castro Bulanon Feel the Force: Magnetism Inquiry Question How does the distance between two neodymium magnets affect the magnetic force between them? Hypothesis As the distance between the two neodymium magnets decreases, the magnetic force of both attraction and repulsion will increase because the magnetic field lines become denser and stronger closer to the poles. If they are farther apart the magnetic force will decrease rapidly and become undetectable as the magnetic field between them becomes weaker and more spread out. I. Data Presentation II. Data Interpretation and Analysis III. Evaluation of Hypothesis IV. Evaluation of Method V. Suggestions for Improvements and Extensions Declaration I completed this report myself. AI tools used (write "none" if you did not use any), and how: