Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Physical Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.
Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Physical Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.
Diagram 1.
Source: https://mx.pinterest.com/pin/78461218502120410/
An electromagnet can pull paper clips without touching them. When the paper clips are moved farther away, the pull becomes weaker, even though the electromagnet and the clips never make contact.
Some forces act even when objects are not touching. In an electromagnet, electric current flowing through a wire creates a magnetic field around the wire. When the wire is wrapped into coils around an iron core, the magnetic field becomes stronger and can exert a force on magnetic objects nearby.
A magnetic field is an invisible region of space where magnetic forces act. When a paper clip is placed within the magnetic field of an electromagnet, it experiences a force and may move toward the electromagnet. This happens even if there is a gap of air between the electromagnet and the paper clip. The force must be acting through the space between them, which provides evidence that a magnetic field exists.
In an investigation, students can collect evidence for a field by changing the distance between the electromagnet and the paper clips while keeping other variables the same. If the paper clips still move toward the electromagnet without contact, this shows that the magnetic force is not caused by direct contact but by a field acting through space.
Diagram 2.
Source:
https://science-resources.co.uk/KS3/Physics/Electricity/Electromagnetism.html
A strong design keeps the current, number of wire turns, and core material constant while changing only the distance between the electromagnet and the paper clips. Measuring the maximum distance at which the paper clips are attracted or the number of paper clips lifted at different distances helps students look for patterns in the data. Repeating each test multiple times improves reliability.
By conducting and evaluating this investigation, students can use evidence to support the idea that a magnetic field exists between objects exerting forces on each other even though the objects are not in contact.
Table 1.
Distance from Electromagnet (cm) | Max Paper Clips Lifted (count) |
|---|---|
0.5 | 18 |
1 | 14 |
1.5 | 10 |
2 | 7 |
3 | 3 |
Graph of Information - Figure 1.
Table 2.
Coil Turns | Max Paper Clips Lifted (count) | Change from Lowest (count) |
|---|---|---|
10 | 4 | 0 |
20 | 8 | 4 |
30 | 12 | 8 |
40 | 16 | 12 |
50 | 20 | 16 |
Graph of Information - Figure 2.
Using the reading, explain how the electromagnet can pull paper clips even when there is a gap of air between the electromagnet and the paper clips.
Which statement best describes the pattern shown in Table 1?
Using Table 1, describe how the maximum number of paper clips lifted changes as the distance from the electromagnet increases from
How do Diagrams 1 and 2 together support the idea that a magnetic force can act through space?
Which conclusion is best supported by Table 2 and Figure 2?
A student claims: “A magnetic field exists around an electromagnet because it can pull objects without touching them.” Do you agree or disagree? Use evidence from the investigation to support your answer.
Claim:
Evidence:
Reasoning: