Physical Science

Learning Goal: Students will plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence that an electric current can produce a magnetic field and that a changing magnetic field can produce an electric current.

Estimated Time for The Week: 1 Hour 30 Minutes

Learn & Practice:

1. Watch this Video about Electromagnetism.
2. Read this article about electromagnets! As you read through the article, answer these questions.
3. Article questions answer key.
4. Launch this PhET simulation. Move the magnet around and through the coil of wire. As you work with the simulation, think about the following:
   • What happens if you move the magnet into the coil very slowly vs. very quickly. What relationship can you make between the motion of the magnet and the current produced?
   • Put the magnet in the middle of the loops and click the magnet flip button rapidly. What happens as you spin the magnet? Why do you think this is happening?
5. Pass the magnet through both the 2 coils and the 4 coils, which one causes a greater current? What does this tell you about the number of loops and the current produced?
6. Test your knowledge! Click on the link and use the game code: 820015
7. Optional: Challenge yourself! Try to make an electromagnet at home using the following site for steps to guide you.

Learning Goal:

I can evaluate the validity and reliability of claims in published materials of the effects that different frequencies of electromagnetic radiation have when absorbed by matter.

Estimated Time for The Week: 2 hours & 30 minutes total

Learn & Practice:

Engage:

• Read this article about the electromagnetic spectrum.
• Watch this video The Electromagnetic Spectrum

Explore:

• Use the links in the webquest to answer the questions about electromagnetic radiation.
• Try this Launch Lab:

Procedure:

1. Read the procedure and safety information, and complete the lab form.
2. Cut a sheet of red construction paper in half.
3. Place one half outside in direct sunlight. Place the other half in a shaded location.
4. Keep one half in full sunlight for at least 45 min. If possible, allow it to stay there for 3 hours or more before removing it. Be sure the other half remains in the shade.

Think Critically: Describe the two halves of construction paper before and after your investigation. Form a hypothesis to explain your observations.

• Try this Mini Lab

Procedure:

1. Read the procedure and safety information, and complete the lab form.
2. Point your television remote control in different directions and observe whether it will still control the television.
3. Place various materials in front of the infrared receiver on the television and observe whether the remote still controls the television. Some materials you might try are glass, a book, your hand, paper, or a metal pan.

Analysis: Was it necessary for the remote control to be pointing exactly toward the receiver to control the television? Explain.

Did the remote continue to work when the various materials were placed between it and the receiver? Explain.

Learn: Use the content below to learn some key information. Take notes as you learn:

• Essential Vocabulary: Use this Quizlet to learn these essential terms.

Elaborate & Explain: Use the resources below to go deeper and apply the learning to new levels.

• Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum- NASA
• Electromagnetic Waves- Khan Academy
• Science News for Students- Understanding Electromagnetic Waves
• Explain how different frequencies of waves affect the impact on the matter that absorbs them.

Do & Connect:

• Design a product that could protect the human body from harmful electromagnetic waves and explain why your product is worth buying.

OR

• Write about a product we use in everyday life that helps protect us from harmful electromagnetic radiation.

Learning Goal:

I can analyze data and use it to support the claim that Newton's second law of motion describes the mathematical relationship among the net force on a macroscopic object, its mass, and its acceleration.

Estimated Time for The Week: 2 hours total

Learn & Practice

Engage:

• Read this article about Newton’s Laws of Motion
• Watch this video

Explore:

• Compare and Contrast Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion using this quizlet
• Try this Mini Lab:

Question: How does air resistance affect the acceleration of falling objects?

Materials: paper (4 sheets of equal size), scissors, meter stick, stopwatch, masking tape

Objectives: Measure the effect of air resistance on sheets of paper with different shapes. Design a shape that maximizes air resistance. Use a piece of paper to create your design.

Procedure:

1. Make a data table to record your measurements

2. Measure a height of 2.5 m on the wall, and mark the height with a piece of masking tape.

3. Drop the flat sheet of paper from the 2.5-m mark. Use the stopwatch to time how long it takes for the paper to reach the ground. Record the time in your data table.

4. Crumple a sheet of paper into a loose ball, and repeat step 3.

5. Crumple a sheet of paper into a tight ball, and repeat step 3.

6. Shape a piece of paper so that it will fall slowly. You may cut, tear, or fold your paper into any design that you choose. Repeat step 3.

Conclude and Apply

1. Compare the falling times of the different sheets of paper.

2. Explain why the different-shaped papers fell at different accelerations.

3. Explain how your design caused the force of air resistance on the paper to be greater or smaller than the air resistance on the other paper shapes.

Learn:

• Essential Vocabulary: Make vocabulary flashcards using quizlet.com for the following terms: Force, Mass, Acceleration, Newton’s Second Law of Motion

Elaborate & Explain: Use the resources below to go deeper and apply the learning to new levels.

• Click here to work through a khan academy course over Force and Newton’s Laws of Motion.
• Click here to play a game and test your knowledge of Newton’s Laws. Use the code 388612 to play.

Do & Connect:

• Design and diagram an experiment that demonstrates the amount of force needed to move objects with different mass.

OR

• Write a paragraph explaining what will happen if you drop a bowling ball and a feather at the same time off the empire state building. Which one would hit the ground first? Which one would create a more forceful impact and why? What causes the objects to accelerate the same or different?