Electricity and Magnetism — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. What happens when the north pole of one magnet meets the north pole of another?
A) They attract each other strongly
B) They repel each other
C) They stick together forever
D) They lose all their magnetism
Like poles (N-N or S-S) repel, pushing each other away.
2. Which pair of poles will attract each other?
A) North and north
B) South and south
C) North and south
D) East and west
Unlike poles (N-S) attract and pull together.
3. A magnet can often pull a paper clip that is behind a thin piece of paper. Why?
A) The paper is a magnet too
B) Magnetism can work through some thin materials
C) The paper clip is jumping on its own
D) The magnet is touching the paper clip directly
Magnetism is a non-contact force and can act through thin materials like paper.
4. Which of these is NOT a non-contact force in Grade 3 science?
A) Magnetism
B) Gravity
C) Electric force
D) A push from your hand
A push from your hand is a contact force; magnetism, gravity, and electric force are non-contact.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. Two north poles near each other will repel each other away.
Like poles repel, meaning they push each other apart.
2. A north pole and a south pole will attract each other.
Unlike poles attract, meaning they pull toward each other.
3. Magnetism is called a non-contact force because magnets can work without touching.
Non-contact forces act across a distance without the objects touching.
4. Gravity is another non-contact force that pulls things down to Earth.
Gravity acts across space without any touch, so it is a non-contact force.
5. When you push a toy car with your hand, that is a contact force.
A push or pull from touching is a contact force, unlike magnetism or gravity.