ABSTRACT
MAGNETISM AND GRAVITY Relatively little research has been published in relation to children's ideas about magnetism, although some studies of ideas about gravity have touched upon it. Researchers tudying ideas about gravity have found that pupils are inclined to link magnetism with gravity. They sometimes account for gravity in terms of a magnetic force drawing objects towards the Earth.l Conversely, pupils have been found to account for the way magnets act by calling magnetism 'a type of gravity'. 2
of repulsion as distinct from attraction. Barrow2 stresses the importance of work with two magnets. (In the context of distinguishing between a magnet and magnetic material which is not magnetised, Gagliari4 stresses, the importance of repulsion as the only test for a magnet to distinguish it from magnetic material.)
Barrow's study found that pupils' awareness of the uses of magnets had not been extended by teaching. Barrow raises the possibility that teaching about magnets might dissociate pupils from their everyday awareness of magnetism.2 With this in mind, approaches which draw in everyday experience and focus upon the uses of magnets would be advisable.
