Paul sprinkles iron filings onto a piece of paper near a bar magnet. The iron filings quickly become arranged in a pattern all around the bar magnet. Which argument does this evidence BEST support?
a
Larger magnets can attract more objects.
b
A magnet can attract magnetic objects through various materials.
c
Only objects that are made of metal have a magnetic field.
d
Magnetic fields exist between objects that are not in contact with each other.
The evidence BEST supports the argument that magnetic fields exist between objects that are not in contact with each other (option d).
Well, I would say that this evidence best supports option d: "Magnetic fields exist between objects that are not in contact with each other." Those iron filings wouldn't have arranged themselves in a pattern around the magnet if there wasn't some sort of invisible force, aka the magnetic field, interacting between them. It's like magic, but with science! Or maybe it's just magnets being magnet-y. Either way, it's pretty cool.
d) Magnetic fields exist between objects that are not in contact with each other.
The evidence that the iron filings quickly become arranged in a pattern all around the bar magnet supports the argument that magnetic fields exist between objects that are not in contact with each other.
To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the concept of magnetic fields and how they interact with objects. Magnetic fields are the regions around magnets where magnetic forces can be felt. When iron filings are sprinkled near a bar magnet, they align themselves along the magnetic field lines produced by the magnet, forming a pattern. This phenomenon demonstrates that the magnetic field extends beyond the surface of the magnet and influences objects in its vicinity.
Now, let's examine the options:
a) Larger magnets attracting more objects: This argument does not directly explain the observed pattern formed by the iron filings. While larger magnets may have stronger magnetic fields, this pattern is not solely due to the magnet's size.
b) A magnet attracting magnetic objects through various materials: This argument suggests that a magnet can attract magnetic objects through different materials, such as wood or plastic. However, it does not address the specific observation of the iron filings forming a pattern around the magnet.
c) Only objects made of metal have a magnetic field: This argument is incorrect. While certain metals, like iron, are strongly magnetic, the presence of a magnetic field does not solely depend on an object's composition. The arrangement of the iron filings suggests that magnetic fields exist, regardless of the material being attracted.
d) Magnetic fields existing between objects that are not in contact with each other: This argument aligns with the observation. The fact that the iron filings arrange themselves in a pattern around the magnet, without being in direct contact, indicates the presence of a magnetic field extending beyond the physical boundaries of the magnet.
Based on this analysis, the evidence BEST supports the argument that magnetic fields exist between objects that are not in contact with each other, which is option d.