In this course, you will also carry out specific tasks when you do experiments. Read the To Do list on the previous page. Your teacher will assign each member of your team a task. In this activity, you will practice the skill Follow Directions and Stay on Task. This skill will help your team complete the experiment in the limited time you have.

Your teacher will also be observing how each team is working. At the end of the experiment, you will fill out a form to evaluate how well the members worked together and carried out their tasks. (See the Team Skills Chart.) Be prepared to participate in a discussion about how teams can work effectively.

Experiment: If the size of a magnet increases, what happens to its strength?

STEP 1 Tape the experiment sheet to the table so it won’t move.

STEP 2 Lay the paper clip directly on top of its outline. Make sure the end of the paper clip lines up with the zero on the printed ruler.

STEP 3 Hold the front edge of the first magnet at the 6 cm (60 mm) mark as shown. (Don’t lay the magnet flat on the paper.)

STEP 4 Slowly slide the edge of the magnet along the ruler’s edge toward the paper clip. When the paper clip is attracted to the magnet, stop sliding the magnet.

Record the distance between the magnet and the zero position in Table 1 as shown on the following page.

STEP 5 Take turns repeating Steps 2 through 4 for two more trials.

STEP 6 Calculate the best value and uncertainty for the distance the magnet was from the zero position when it attracted the paper clip.