Title: Introduction to Electromagnets

Grade Level: Year 7 (ages 11-12)

Objective: - Understand the concept of electromagnets and their applications. - Identify the factors that affect the strength of an electromagnet. - Construct a simple electromagnet and observe its properties.

Materials: - Iron nail or rod - Copper wire - Battery (AA or AAA) - Insulated wire - Paperclips or small metal objects - Compass - Magnetic materials (e.g., magnets, iron filings) - Safety goggles

Procedure:

1. Introduction (10 minutes) a. Begin the lesson by asking students if they know what a magnet is and what it can attract. b. Discuss the concept of magnets and their properties, such as attracting certain metals. c. Introduce the idea of electromagnets, explaining that they are magnets created by electric current flowing through a wire.

2. Electromagnet Basics (15 minutes) a. Show students a simple circuit diagram with a battery, wire, and a switch. b. Explain that when the switch is closed, an electric current flows through the wire, creating a magnetic field around it. c. Discuss how the magnetic field can attract or repel certain materials, similar to a regular magnet. d. Show examples of electromagnets used in everyday life, such as doorbells, speakers, and cranes.

3. Factors Affecting Electromagnet Strength (15 minutes) a. Discuss the factors that affect the strength of an electromagnet, such as the number of wire coils, the size of the current, and the type of core material. b. Conduct a demonstration by wrapping a copper wire around an iron nail or rod to create a simple electromagnet. c. Connect the ends of the wire to a battery and observe the nail attracting small metal objects. d. Discuss how adding more wire coils or increasing the current can make the electromagnet stronger.

4. Hands-on Activity: Building an Electromagnet (20 minutes) a. Divide students into pairs or small groups. b. Provide each group with an iron nail or rod, copper wire, battery, and insulated wire. c. Instruct students to wrap the copper wire tightly around the nail, leaving two loose ends. d. Connect the loose ends of the wire to the battery using the insulated wire. e. Test the strength of their electromagnet by seeing how many paperclips or small metal objects it can pick up. f. Encourage students to experiment with different factors (e.g., number of wire coils, battery voltage) to observe changes in the electromagnet’s strength.

5. Conclusion and Reflection (10 minutes) a. Gather students together and discuss their observations and findings. b. Ask students to reflect on the importance and applications of electromagnets in everyday life. c. Summarize the key points covered in the lesson and address any remaining questions.

Extensions: - Students can investigate how different core materials (e.g., aluminum, steel) affect the strength of an electromagnet. - Students can explore the relationship between the number of wire coils and the strength of the electromagnet by conducting additional experiments. - Students can research and present on various applications of electromagnets in different fields, such as medicine, transportation, and industry.