Download Electricity and Magnetism

Electricity and Magnetism
Goals:
 Understand how magnetic poles interact
 Understand why some materials are magnetic but others are not
Standards:
 HS-PS3-5: Develop and use a model of two objects interacting through electric or
magnetic fields to illustrate the forces between objects and the changes in energy of the
objects due to the interaction.
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6-8-ETS1-3: Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design
solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to
better meet the criteria for success.
6-8-ETS1-4: Develop a model to generate data for iterative testing and modification of a proposed
object, tool, or process such that an optimal design can be achieved.
Tie to prior knowledge: Ask students to name some items that run by electric motors.
Video: Bill Nye: Magnetism - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PyqL9y7VZo
Teacher demo: (can have students do this as an activity) Electromagnets (An electromagnet is a
temporary magnet made by wrapping a wire coil carrying a current around an iron core.)
Materials:
 Large nail
 Battery (D-cell and 6-volt)
 Wire
Student: Mini – Lab
Students will observe the magnetic field around current-carrying wire. Remind students that the
wires can become very hot. They should disconnect the battery when not in use.
Materials:
 50 cm of 22-gauge wire
 D-cell battery, 6-volt battery *helpful hint: batteries cannot be current limited
 Compass
 Iron filings
 Paper
 Nail or bolt (iron)
 Connectors (optional)
Steps:
1. Place a piece of paper over a wire loop.
2. Sprinkle iron filings onto the paper, and place a compass in the center.
3. Attach one end of the loop to one terminal of a D-cell batter.
4. Touch the free end of the wire to the other battery terminal.
5. Record the compass reading
6. Sketch the magnetic field lines. Ask students to describe the magnetic field lines inside the
loop.
7. Reverse the connections to the battery terminals and observe what happens. Have students
record findings.
Analysis: Explain how you know that a current in the wire produced a magnetic field.
Assessment/Reteach: Have students hang a nail by its flat head from the end of a bar magnet.
Set the nail on a table and place a compass nearby to show that the nail has north and south
poles.
Extension: Wrap a wire around a nail about 15 times. Connect the wire ends to the battery. Determine how many
paperclips the magnetized nail will pick up. Vary the number of wire loops and the battery used (9-volt or 6-volt) to
observe the strength of the nail’s magnetism.