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4th Grade Physical Science:
Electricity and Magnetism

Electricity

How to design and build a series and
parallel circuit


A series circuit only has one path for
moving charges; when the path is broken,
the energy can’t flow.
A parallel circuit has two or more paths for
moving charges.
4th Grade Physical Science:
Electricity and Magnetism

Electricity

Electrical energy can be converted to
heat, light, and motion
The heat given off when something is
plugged in
 Flashlights
 Fans

4th Grade Physical Science:
Electricity and Magnetism

Electricity

Electrically charged objects
attract or repel each other


2 balloons rubbed with
a piece of wool will have
the same (like)
electrical charge.
The balloons will move
away from each other
because like charges
repel each other
4th Grade Physical Science:
Electricity and Magnetism

Magnetism


The space near a
magnet where
magnetic forces act
is called the
magnetic field
Magnets have
opposite poles at
each end, and
unlike poles attract;
like poles repel
4th Grade Physical Science:
Electricity and Magnetism

Magnetism:


How to create a simple compass
and how to use it.
A needle or some other wirelike piece of steel (a straight
paper clip, for example)



The
Something small that floats (a
piece of cork, the bottom of a
Styrofoam coffee cup, a piece
of plastic or a milk jug cap)
A dish, like a pie plate, 9 to 12”
in diameter, with about an inch
of water in it
first step is to turn the needle into a magnet. The easiest
way to do this is with another magnet -- stroke the magnet along
the needle 10 or 20 times.
4th Grade Physical Science:
Electricity and Magnetism

Magnetism:
Place your float in the middle of your dish of water as shown below.
The "float on water" technique is an easy way to create a nearly
frictionless bearing. Center your magnetic needle on the float. It
very slowly will point toward north. You have created a compass!
4th Grade Physical Science:
Electricity and Magnetism

Magnetism:

Electromagnetism
 Wires carrying an electric current become
magnets.
 An electromagnet is a core wrapped with
wires that carry current.
 The ends of the electromagnet are magnetic
only when there is current in the wire.
 Generators use electromagnets to produce
current (electricity) from motion.
 Motors use electromagnets to convert
electricity to motion.