3rd Grade Science : Magnets to Solve Problems

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 3rd Grade Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Define A Problem That Be Solved With Magnets

How are magnets used in our everyday lives to solve a problem?

Possible Answers:

They hold papers up on a refrigerator

They are used to create a seal on the freezer and the freezer door

All of the examples are ways magnets are used in everyday life to solve a problem

They can remove magnetic items from a mixture

Correct answer:

All of the examples are ways magnets are used in everyday life to solve a problem

Explanation:

All of the problems listed can be solved with a magnet. When we want to display a picture or holiday card, we can use a magnet on the refrigerator. The freezer door is sealed shut and keeps our food cold when the magnets within are close to each other, and the attraction keeps it closed. If a mixture is presented with metallic objects within the magnet can be used to separate those items based on their magnetic properties. These are simple problems and have a simple solution, magnets!

Example Question #1 : Define A Problem That Be Solved With Magnets

Which situation could you help solve with a magnet?

Possible Answers:

Randi dropped paperclips in her water bottle and needs to remove them.

You have a puzzle to put together but some of the pieces fell under the sofa.

Natalie broke her plastic baby doll's arm and needed a new toy.

Adam needs to melt chocolate for a recipe he is making.

Correct answer:

Randi dropped paperclips in her water bottle and needs to remove them.

Explanation:

All of these answer choices are problems that people may be faced with every day, and only one can be solved with a magnet, "Randi dropped paperclips in her water bottle and needs to remove them.". This problem would be solved by putting a magnet near or in the bottle, and the metallic paperclips would be attracted to the magnet, and Randi could pull them out.

Example Question #1 : Define A Problem That Be Solved With Magnets

A hiker is lost in the woods and needs to get something from his pack to help him find his way back to the campsite.

Which magnetic item could help him solve this problem?

Possible Answers:

A compass

A water bottle

A sun hat

A granola bar

Correct answer:

A compass

Explanation:

A magnetic item in his backpack that could help him find his way back to the campsite would be the compass. The other things are helpful during hiking but do not use magnets and would not help him find his way back to camp. A compass uses the Earth's natural magnetic field to point towards the North Pole for people to use as a guide for direction.

Example Question #1 : Define A Problem That Be Solved With Magnets

What problem is this junkyard magnet solving?

Electromagnet, Magnet, Iron, Junk Yard

Possible Answers:

Junkyard magnets do not help solve any problems.

They are moving lots of light materials quickly and easily.

They are moving lots of heavy materials slowly and difficultly.

They are moving lots of heavy materials quickly and easily.

Correct answer:

They are moving lots of heavy materials quickly and easily.

Explanation:

Junkyard magnets were an ingenious invention that solved a daily problem for the workers. Instead of breaking their backs lifting heavy materials, they were able to steer the magnet, and it could do all the lifting for them. A driver can control the magnet and move cars, scrap metal, and old appliances in seconds. Not only does this save the workers from lifting heavy things, but it speeds up the job too!

Example Question #3 : Define A Problem That Be Solved With Magnets

Mrs. Addly wants to display her students' work on the metal door for other classes to see. She hangs up the work and uses magnets to keep it in place. Mrs. Addly solved a simple problem using a magnet.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

This statement is true. Mrs. Addly did solve a simple problem by using a magnet. Her door was made of metal, so using something like thumbtacks would not work for hanging the students' work. A magnet would be strong enough to keep the papers up and on display, for all to see.

Example Question #1 : Define A Problem That Be Solved With Magnets

Nadine has a crane with a big magnet. She lowers the crane's magnet over a pile of garbage. Which object(s) are strongly attracted to the magnet?

Possible Answers:

A metal spoon

A paper plate

A sock

A plastic fork

Correct answer:

A metal spoon

Explanation:

Magnets attract objects made of certain materials. Objects that are strongly attracted to magnets will stick to them. The plastic fork, sock, and paper plate will not stick to the attraction. These objects are not strongly attracted to the magnetThe metal spoon will stick to the magnet. This object is strongly attracted to the magnet.

Example Question #1 : Define A Problem That Be Solved With Magnets

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Based on the table, which statement(s) is true?

Possible Answers:

All of the answer choices are correct.

None of the answer choices are correct.

Platic and cotton are not magnetic materials.

Iron is magnetic; plastic is not.

Iron and steel are magnetic materials.

Correct answer:

All of the answer choices are correct.

Explanation:

All of the answer choices are correct because they accurately state a fact about magnetic materials. Iron and steel are both magnetic materials and would be attracted to a strong magnet. Plastic, aluminum cans, and cotton are all materials that would not be attracted to a magnet.

Example Question #3 : Define A Problem That Be Solved With Magnets

Which item(s) below would be attracted to a magnet?

Possible Answers:

Wood pipe

Plastic pipe

Iron pipe

Copper pipe

Correct answer:

Iron pipe

Explanation:

The iron pipe will be strongly attracted to the magnet because it has magnetic properties. Iron is a magnetic metal, so it would be drawn and stick to the magnet. Copper, plastic, and wood are not magnetic and would not be attracted to the magnet.

Example Question #1 : Define A Problem That Be Solved With Magnets

What could this junkyard magnet pick up that humans can't?

Electromagnet, Magnet, Iron, Junk Yard

Possible Answers:

Large pieces of wood

Large chunks of plastic

Large pieces of aluminum

Large chunks of steel

Correct answer:

Large chunks of steel

Explanation:

Steel objects will be strongly attracted to the junkyard magnet, whereas aluminum, wood, and plastic will not. The magnet will only attract objects with magnetic properties, and of this list, steel is the only object that it would pick up. Steel can be very heavy, and humans cannot easily pick up a large piece by themselves.

Example Question #4 : Define A Problem That Be Solved With Magnets

Which problem could be solved by using magnets?

Possible Answers:

A broken freezer door could be fixed by attaching magnets to both sides to keep it closed.

A dog keeps running outside and digging up the flowers. The owner could place magnets on the dog's collar so the flowers will repel him.

Andy's placemats keep flying off the wooden picnic table when the wind blows. He could use a magnet to hold the placemats to the wooden table.

Kristi's lightbulb has burned out, but she doesn't have any other lightbulbs. She could replace the bulb with a magnet.

Correct answer:

A broken freezer door could be fixed by attaching magnets to both sides to keep it closed.

Explanation:

The best use for magnets to solve a problem would be securing a broken freezer door. If a magnet is attached to both sides (the door the frame of the freezer) with the opposite sides facing each other, they will be attracted and stick together. Magnets would not keep a dog out of a garden, would not work as a lightbulb, and magnets will not be attracted to a wooden table.

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