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Grade 5 Science · World 9: Magnet Mountain · Level 64
Electricity Makes Magnetism
See that current in a coil makes a magnetic field.
Warm-up, learn, try it together, practice, then a quick check. About 15 minutes.
What children learn in Level 64
- Here's a surprise: electricity can make magnetism. A wire carrying current has a weak magnetic field around it.
- Wrap the wire into a coil around an iron nail. The field gets much stronger. This is an electromagnet.
- Open the switch, and the current stops. The field goes away, and the clips fall.
- Try it with a grown-up: wrap wire around an iron nail, and connect it to one small battery. The wire can get warm, so keep each test short.
Georgia Standards of Excellence in Science:
- S5P3.a — Construct an argument based on experimental evidence to communicate the differences in function and purpose of an electromagnet and a magnet. (Clarification statement: Function is limited to understanding temporary and permanent magnetism.)