Part 1

Section 1: Data Collection

Plan the order you will test your magnetic and electric current interactions. For example, you can use the
small or the large coil and you can change the magnet’s orientation. Observe what happens with the
voltmeter when you change the direction of the magnet. Record the interactions between the magnet and
the electric current in the Faraday’s law simulation below. An example is provided for you.

Magnet’s Size of
Trial Orientation Coil Movement of Magnet Voltage Reading

Trial 1 North ➡South Small Magnet entered the right side of the The voltage came up as
coil but exited the left side. a negative charge.
Voltage became positive
in the end product.

Trial 2 South ➡North Large Magnet entered the left side of the The voltage came up as
coil but exited the right side. a positive charge.
Voltage became
negative in the end
product.

Trial 3 South➡North Small Magnet entered the left side of the The voltage came up as
coil but exited the right side. a positive charge.
Voltage became
negative in the end
product.

Section 2: Questions

Please answer all questions using complete sentences and referring to data collected as evidence in your
answers.

1. From your observations, how do you know the movement of the magnet is causing an electric
current in the wire?
 The voltmeter equaled zero until the magnet started to get involved in the process. The magnetic
field experienced an increase in force which caused an electric current to flow through the wire.
2. How did changing the magnet’s orientation affect the magnetic field lines around it?
The attractive field lines were facing each other when the magnet was first placed from North to
South. However, they changed to one side as the magnet orientation altered the field.
3. How did the number of coils affect the strength of the current?
The number of coils caused the current’s strength to increase at the opposite end of the
voltmeter.
4. How did changing the magnet’s orientation affect the direction of current flow? (Hint: The
direction is shown by the + and − in the voltmeter.)
When the magnet was in the coil positive readings were shown, however, when the magnet left
the coil, the magnet showed negative readings once again.

5. Place the magnet inside one of the coils. Select to change the magnet’s orientation only. Do the
same for the other coil. Record your observation regarding the effect on the bulb and explain
what this tells you about the effect the number of loops in a coil has on electric current.

If the current strength is increased, the brightness of the light bulb will also be increased. If a larger coil
is used in the experiment, more energy will be involved so the bulb will burn brighter.

Section 3: Model Cause and Effect Relationship

Take a screenshot or draw an illustration of the magnetic field lines (forces) between the magnet and the
coils of one of your trials. Be sure to include the electrical circuit in the screenshot or illustration.

Use your screenshot or illustration to model the cause and effect relationship between changing magnetic
and electric fields. Label the direction of electrical current (energy) in your circuit. Place your
screenshot or illustration with labeling below. (Hint: Does the current move from the positive to the
negative node of the voltmeter or vice versa during your trial?)
Part 2
Section 1: Planning and Data Collection

Hypothesis:

Form a hypothesis that reflects which material, voltage, and number of winds you think will produce the
strongest electromagnet.

The electromagnet will have a aluminum voltage of 100 and a wind voltage of 100 in order to create the
strongest electromagnet.

Data Collection:

Plan five trials to test the strength of your electromagnet by varying the voltage, materials, gauge size,
and number of winds of the wire. Observe what happens with the voltmeter and number of paper clips
collected with each trial. Record your observations below.

Size of Wire Material of Voltag Number of Resulting Paper Clips Picked

Trial Gauge Wire e Winds Up

Trial Large Aluminum 50 40 Winds 8 Clips

1

Trial Medium Copper 50 100 Winds 12 Clips

2

Trial Large Copper 50 100 Winds 27 Clips

3

Trial Large Copper 100 100 Winds 53 Clips

4

Trial Large Aluminum 100 100 Winds 21 Clips

5

Section 2: Questions

Please answer all questions using complete sentences and referring to data collected as evidence in your
answers.
 1. The voltage provides the push for an electric current within the electromagnet. What is your
evidence that a magnetic field is also present?
If a current is involved in the experiment that has moving electrical charges then a magnetic field
is present.
2. Did the number of winds or the size of the coil influence the strength of the electromagnet? If so,
how?
The effect was stronger when the coil was made larger. Around 10 paper clips would be drawn to
a medium aluminum wire with 100 volts and winds. The magnet would attract more paperclips if
the size of the coil became larger.
3. How did changing the voltage affect the strength of the electromagnet?
The strength of the electromagnet will increase along with the voltage. According to Ohm's law,
changing the voltage will also change how strong the electromagnetic field is.
4. Which materials worked best as electrical conductors for your electromagnet? Which molecular
properties of these materials made them more suitable for use in an electromagnet? (Hint:
Review conducting materials in your lesson.)
Copper served best as a conductor for the electromagnet. Copper also has a thicker cable,
allowing the copper to conduct higher currents.
5. Was your hypothesis correct? What changes could you make to create a stronger electromagnet?

My hypothesis was incorrect. I can raise the voltage, and winds, and change the size of my coil to
make a stronger electromagnet. While making my electromagnet, I discovered copper was a
stronger conductor than aluminum. All of these discoveries would allow me to create a better
electromagnet if I were to repeat the experiment.

Section 3: Model Fields and Forces

Using the right-hand rule from your lessons, determine the directions of the electrical current and
magnetic field of the electromagnet. Create an illustration of these perpendicular forces and include it
below. (You can take a picture of your illustration or use an online drawing program to make your
illustration.)