Electricity and Magnetism — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
a iron nail is attract to a magnet.
Corrected: An iron nail is attracted to a magnet.
Iron begins with a vowel sound so it needs an, and the passive voice needs attracted, not attract.
2. Fix the sentence:
plastic spoons sticks to magnets very strongly.
Corrected: Plastic spoons do not stick to magnets.
Plastic is not magnetic, and the plural subject spoons needs do, not the singular verb sticks.
3. Fix the sentence:
aluminum foil stick to refrigerator magnets.
Corrected: Aluminum foil does not stick to refrigerator magnets.
Aluminum is a non-magnetic metal, and the singular subject foil needs the verb does not stick.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A material that a magnet pulls on is called a magnetic material.
Magnetic materials like iron, nickel, and steel contain elements that respond to magnetic forces.
2. An iron nail will stick to a strong magnet.
Iron nails are made mostly of iron, which is one of the few metals that is strongly magnetic.
3. A plastic spoon will not be pulled by a magnet.
Plastic is made of polymers that do not contain iron or other magnetic elements, so magnets ignore it.
4. Even though it looks shiny and metal, aluminum foil is not magnetic.
Aluminum is a metal, but its atoms do not line up with magnetic fields, so magnets do not stick to it.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. Grade 3 fact: an iron nail is a magnetic material.
True False
Iron is strongly attracted to magnets because of how its electrons line up, making it a classic magnetic material.
2. Grade 3 fact: aluminum foil is strongly attracted to magnets.
True False
Aluminum is a metal, but it is not magnetic; a magnet will not pick up a ball of aluminum foil.
3. Grade 3 fact: a plastic spoon will not stick to a refrigerator magnet.
True False
Plastics are non-magnetic materials, so magnetic forces do not pull on them at all.