The two force diagrams shown here best support which of these hypotheses?

(1 point)
Responses

Earth is a giant magnet.
Earth is a giant magnet.

Opposite poles of a magnet attract.
Opposite poles of a magnet attract.

Magnet materials are iron, steel, nickel and cobalt.
Magnet materials are iron, steel, nickel and cobalt.

Horseshoe-shaped objects tend to possess magnetic properties.

1 answer

To determine which hypothesis the force diagrams best support, we need to consider the nature of each statement:

  1. Earth is a giant magnet. - This hypothesis relates to the overall magnetic field of the Earth, but force diagrams alone may not specifically demonstrate this concept without additional context.

  2. Opposite poles of a magnet attract. - This hypothesis directly pertains to the force interactions between magnet poles. If the diagrams show interactions between opposite poles (like a north pole attracting a south pole), this hypothesis would be supported.

  3. Magnet materials are iron, steel, nickel, and cobalt. - This statement is about the materials that can be magnetized but does not directly relate to any force diagrams unless they show these materials demonstrating magnetic properties.

  4. Horseshoe-shaped objects tend to possess magnetic properties. - This hypothesis is about the shape of magnetic objects rather than the forces involved, and thus may not be explicitly supported by force diagrams unless they specifically illustrate such objects behaving magnetically.

Based on these considerations, if the force diagrams illustrate the attraction between opposite poles, the best-supported hypothesis would be:

Opposite poles of a magnet attract.