A student is investigating magnets. The student uses a bar magnet, a plastic ruler, and a paper clip to perform her investigation. The student places the bar magnet at different distances from the paper clip along the ruler and observes if the paper clip is attracted to the magnet. Her set up and results are shown.

Question

Which argument can the student make using the evidence in her table?

Responses

Magnetic fields exist between objects that are not in contact.
Magnetic fields exist between objects that are not in contact.

Magnetism increases as the distance between objects increases.
Magnetism increases as the distance between objects increases.

Magnetism depends on the materials of the objects.
Magnetism depends on the materials of the objects.

Magnetic fields are strongest at the poles of the magnet.

Answer 1

Based on the student's investigation, the most appropriate argument she can make using the evidence in her table is:

Magnetic fields exist between objects that are not in contact.

This conclusion can be drawn from her observations that the paper clip is attracted to the bar magnet even when there is a distance between them, demonstrating that a magnetic field can act over a distance without direct contact.

The other options are less supported by the evidence provided:

• "Magnetism increases as the distance between objects increases." is incorrect, as magnetism typically decreases with increasing distance.
• "Magnetism depends on the materials of the objects." is a true statement, but the investigation specifically focuses on the interaction between the magnet and the paper clip.
• "Magnetic fields are strongest at the poles of the magnet." is also true but may not be relevant based on the data the student collected regarding distance.