Electromagnetism Activity

Reed-Custer Seventh Grade Science

Goals:

1. Students will gain an understanding of basic electromagnetism.

2. Students will use selected Internet sites to explore electromagnetism.

Procedure:

1. Click on the heading of each activity box.

2. Read the selected site in search of answers to the questions posted in the activity box.

3. Record your answers on the answer sheet provided.

4. Click the BACK button in the upper left corner of the screen to return to this page.

5. Follow steps one through four for each activity box below.

Leaping Electrons 1. Read "Connections" and explain how lightning forms. 2. Read "Flash Facts" and find out which atomic particle builds up on your body when your socks rub across the carpet.	Balloon Charge 1. After the two balloons have been rubbed with nylon ,draw a picture showing what their charges would look like. What would the balloons do? 2. Read "Flash Facts" and write down the rule which explains how charges behave.	Charge It 1. When you charge a comb and place it near water what happens? Why? 2. What is the purpose of an anti-static bracelet? 3. Explain how a comb can pick up pieces of paper.
Loop the Loop 1. Draw the symbol for a light bulb, battery, and wire. 2. Draw a map of a circuit using these symbols. 3. Read "Flash Facts" to find out from which terminal the electric current leaves .	Stop and Go Electrons 1. Using "Flash Facts" explain the difference between a conductor and an insulator. 2. Read "Connections" and find out who first invented the light bulb.	Lemon Power 1. In order for a lemon to produce an electric current, what must be true about the wires? 2. Read "Flash Facts" and explain the difference between an electrolyte and an electrode.
The Money Pile 1. Explain how Allessandro Volta made a wet cell? 2. What electrolyte did Volta use when he made his wet cell? 3. Read "Flash Facts" and explain the difference between a wet cell and a dry cell.	Magnetic Current 1. Read "Connections" and explain what Hans Christian Oersted discovered.	Resistor Color Codes 1. When a wire has a high resistance and a large current flows through it, what happens to the wire? 2. Read " Flash Facts" and find out what a resistor does to the flow of electrons in a wire. 3. What type of materials offer the most resistance to electrons?

All links on this project page lead to The Electric Club Activities Handbook, originally prepared for The Sector Skills Council of the Canadian Electrical and Electronic Industry by THE IMPACT GROUP in November 1991. These activities are currently maintained by The SchoolNet Support Group.

Animated computer gif courtesy of Deborah Gill.

This online educational Internet activity was created by Jerry Johnson,

Seventh Grade Science Teacher, Reed-Custer Middle School, Braidwood, Illinois.