Definitions
A piece of iron that becomes a temporary magnet when electricity flows through coils of insulated wire wrapped around it.
Electromagnet
This becomes a temporary magnet when electric current flows around it.
Rivet (iron core)
Name two metals that are easy to separate for recycling using an electromagnet
Iron and steel.
What is an electron?
A negatively charged particle that surrounds the outside of an atom.
Identify the dependent variable in the electromagnet experiment.
The number of paper clips picked up, the strength of the electromagnet
What was the first source of an electric current? What type of energy was this?
Battery
A _______ can turn the flow of electricity on and off through a circuit. When electricity is flowing the circuit is ______.
switch, open
Identify 2 technologies that are powered by electromagnets. The beauty of the electromagnet is that it can be turned on and ___.
A doorbell and a trash/recycling separator. Electromagnets can be turned on and off.
Define "electricity"
The movement of electric charge
Identify the independent variable from your electromagnet experiment. Identify one other independent variable we could have explored.
Number of coils, number of batteries, wire gauge, wire type, iron content of rivet, etc.
What is the name for the force that acts between charged particles and creates electric and magnetic fields?
Electromagnetic Force
What are the three types of lightbulbs we learned about? Which one is the least efficient and why?
LED, compact fluorescent, incandescent. Incandescent is the least efficient because it loses a lot of energy to heat.
Identify 2 ways to make an electromagnet stronger.
Increase the number of coils, increase the number of batteries, increase the iron content, etc.
Identify 2 good conductors and 2 good insulators.
Conductors: Copper, steel, aluminium, etc.
Insulators: Plastic, rubber, wood, etc.
Identify three constant/controlled variables in your experiment.
Number of coils, number of batteries, type of wire, wire gauge, etc.
Describe the difference between an insulator and conductor.
An insulator is a substance that holds energy in, while a conductor is a substance that allows energy to pass in or out of it.
You have a lightbulb hooked up to a circuit but it is not lighting. Name three reasons this could be occurring.
1. The energy source could be dead.
2. The switch could be open.
3. The filament could be burnt out.
What is the current carrying wire doing to the iron core in an electromagnet?
It is inducing magnetism in the iron core and making it a temporary magnet, which allows it to pick up paperclips.
Give an example of static electric charge. Give an example of electric current.
Static electric charge: when you rub a balloon on your head and your hair stands up
Electric current: turning on a light, starting a car, etc.
A student picked up a core with 50 coils on an electromagent. The student picked up 10 paperclips in trial 1, 12 paperclips in trial 2, 9 paperclips in trial 3, 10 paperclips in trial 4, and 13 paperclips in trial 5. What is the average number of paperclips picked up with an electromagnet with 50 coils?
10.8 paperclips.
What are electrons? Where are they found?
They are negatively charged particles around the outside of the nucleus.
Describe the difference between electric current and an electric circuit.
An electric current is the flow of electricity through a wire while an electric circuit is the pathway through which electric current flows.
Describe Orsted's experiment and the discovery that he made from it.
Orsted was investigating electric current and had an electric circuit set up. He happened to have a compass nearby when he turned on the circuit, and he noticed the compass needle moved slightly. This demonstrated the electromagnetic field around the current carrying wire.
What is the difference between static electric charge and electric current?
Static electric charge is stationary. It stays still and does not flow. Electric current flows.
When designing and experiment, how many variables should the experimenter change at one time and why?
Only one to ensure the relationship between the independent and dependent variable is being explored.