Lesson 3 Electromagnetism CFA

Manny is investigating factors that affect electric and magnetic forces. He needs to design an experiment to show that objects can exert forces on each other even when they are not in direct contact.

After doing some additional research, Manny decides to make an electromagnet with a battery, some wire, an iron nail, and a switch. He uses a rubber eraser as an insulator to open and close the switch. He uses the electromagnet to see if he can pick up some paperclips.

The diagram shows the setup of Manny’s experiment.

1

What is one of the benefits of Manny’s electromagnet?

2

What could Manny do to increase the strength of the electromagnetic force? Highlight all that apply.

1

What evidence is there that the electromagnet exerts a force on the paper clips, even though they are not touching each other?

The electromagnetic force of the electromagnet (attracts / repels) the paper clips. The paper clips move (toward / away from) the nail.

Directions: Of the word pairs provided below, select the words that make the statements true. The first word is the answer to the first pair and the second word is the answer to the second pair.

1

Manny detaches the two wires from the battery and reattaches them to the opposite terminals. Explain how this changes the current and magnetic field.

1

What is one of the benefits of Manny’s electromagnet?

What could Manny do to increase the strength of the electromagnetic force? Highlight all that apply.

Manny detaches the two wires from the battery and reattaches them to the opposite terminals. Explain how this changes the current and magnetic field.

Suppose you pull the paper clips away from the nail. How does the potential energy of the system change?