2.13 To report on a human achievement in science

Natural sciences

Energy transfers and forces

A. forces

Educator section

Memorandum

Leaner section

Content

Activity: to report on a human achievement in science [lo 3.1]

Newspapers and magazines published many articles on Mark Shuttleworth’s space travels because he can be regarded as a pioneer in this field. Use these articles as sources of information to write a report (± two folio sheets in length) on his journey. More interesting information and photographs are available on the website: http://www.africaninspace.com.

Guidelines for assembling the contents of your report:

1. Mark Shuttleworth, his dreams and ideals

2. Preparing for the journey

3. Reasons for the journey

4. The journey

5. The significance of the journey for people in general and for South Africa?

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B. Magnetism

It is said that the Greeks discovered a strange type of stone more than 2 000 years ago. While Magnes, a young shepherd boy, was looking after sheep one day, he realised that a strange black stone that exerted so much force on it that he could not withdraw the staff attracted the iron tip of his staff. The fable suggests that the word ‘magnet’ is derived from the name of this boy. Of course, we cannot verify this, but it is a fact that certain kinds of black stone attract similar stones and certain metals. Many such stones are found in the vicinity of Magnesia, in Turkey, and they are called lodestones, or magnet stones. The word ‘magnet’ therefore is probably derived from the name of this city. These stones are natural magnets. We nowadays use synthetic magnets made of iron or steel. These magnets are manufactured to attract objects very forcefully and to retain their magnetism for a long time. The magnets in your school’s laboratory may come in any of the following four different shapes:

Bar-shaped magnets
Horseshoe-shaped magnets
Cylindrical magnets
Ring-shaped magnets

Magnets have to be handled with care to prevent loss of magnetism.

Bear the following in mind when you use a magnet:

• Do not handle the magnets roughly, i.e. do not drop it or knock against it.
• Do not heat magnets.
• Always store magnets with their locking devices in position.

1. magnetic and non-magnetic materials

Magnets do not attract all materials. The following experiment will help us to determine whether a material substance is magnetic or non-magnetic.

Assesment

Learning Outcome 3: The learner will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationships between science and technology, society and the environment.

Assessment Standard 3.12: We know this when the learner understands science as a human endeavour: compares different interpretations of events