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Primary Science · Year 3Chapter 10 · Magnets
Year 3 Science · Magnets · Lesson 10.3

Year 3 Science: Sorting objects with a magnet

Part of the Year 3 Science magnets chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

10.3

Sorting objects with a magnet

Year 3
F4: compare and group together everyday materials on the basis of whether they are attracted to a magnet
Story. Leo has a box of ten objects. He holds the same magnet over each object in turn. The objects that stick go into one pile, and the others go into another pile. “Let’s count them,” says Leo. Mr Patel says, “Grouping means sorting things that have something in common.”

Grouping means sorting things into sets that share a feature. Leo grouped his objects by whether a magnet attracts them. He used the same magnet every time, and he held it at the same distance from each object.

The picture shows the two groups. The table records how many objects are in each group.

Attracted (4)Not attracted (6)Steel paper clipSteel nailSteel nutIron washerAluminium foil ballCopper wirePlastic bottle topWooden lolly stickGlass marbleRubber band
Two boxes. Attracted to the magnet: four objects. Not attracted: six objects.

The table records Leo’s sorting.

GroupObjects in the groupHow many
Attracted to the magnetsteel paper clip, steel nail, steel nut, iron washer4
Not attracted to the magnetaluminium foil ball, copper wire, plastic bottle top, wooden lolly stick, glass marble, rubber band6

Key ideas

  • Group things by whether a magnet attracts them.
  • Use the same magnet and the same way every time, so the sorting is fair.
  • Magnetic materials are attracted, and non-magnetic materials are not.
  • The groups must add up to the total number of objects you started with.
Worked example 10.3.1
Look at the table in section 10.3. How many objects were attracted to the magnet? Write the number.

Method. Read the first row of the table.

  1. Find the first row. The first row is the group attracted to the magnet.
    attracted
  2. Read the number. The number in that row is 4.
    4
  3. Write the answer.
    4

Check. The four objects are a steel paper clip, a steel nail, a steel nut and an iron washer. ✓

Worked example 10.3.2
Look at the table in section 10.3. How many objects were not attracted to the magnet? Write the number.

Method. Read the second row of the table.

  1. Find the second row. The second row is the group not attracted to the magnet.
    not attracted
  2. Read the number. The number in that row is 6.
    6
  3. Write the answer.
    6

Check. Six objects were not attracted. ✓

Worked example 10.3.3
Look at the table in section 10.3. How many objects did Leo sort altogether? Write the number.

Method. Add the two groups together.

  1. Read the two numbers. The attracted group has 4 objects, and the not attracted group has 6 objects.
    4 and 6
  2. Add them. Four objects and six objects make ten objects.
    4 + 6 = 10
  3. Write the answer.
    10

Check. Leo started with ten objects, so the groups must add up to ten. ✓

Watch out. Check the groups add up to the number you started with.

Watch out

Watch out: the objects in the two groups must add up to the total you started with. If they do not, you may have counted one object twice, or missed one.

Try it at home or school (with a grown-up). With a grown-up, collect ten safe objects from around the home, such as a paper clip, a plastic spoon, a rubber band, a piece of foil and a wooden peg. Sort them with a fridge magnet into two groups. Count each group, and check that the two numbers add up to ten. Keep magnets away from your mouth.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask: “What is the same about the objects in this group?” and “Do the two groups add up to ten?” Let your child count each group and check the total.

Exercise 10C  Sorting objects with a magnet

1
FHow many objects were attracted to the magnet? Write the number.
2
FWrite the name of one object that was attracted to the magnet.
3
FWhich group does the plastic bottle top belong to? Write attracted or not attracted.
4
FWhich group does the steel nut belong to? Write attracted or not attracted.
5
FHow many objects were not attracted to the magnet? Write the number.
6
FHow many objects did Leo sort altogether? Write the number.
7
FWhich group had more objects? Write attracted or not attracted.
8
FHow many more objects were not attracted than were attracted? Write the number.
9
PSLeo says the copper wire is attracted, because copper is a metal. Is Leo right? Write no or yes.
10
PSLeo finds a new steel bolt, and the magnet attracts it. How many objects are in the attracted group now? Write the number.
11
PSPriya says the sorting is correct, because each object was tested with the same magnet. Write one more way Priya could check the sorting.
12
RExplain why a magnet can sort steel objects from wooden objects. Write one sentence.

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