A Model of Interacting Fields
Physical Science, Physics
Recommended for grades 9-12.
Teacher Prep time: 30 min
Student Activity: 45 min
Safety Goggles Required
ViewPhenomenon
Interpret the following diagram.
Essential Question
How do the electric and magnetic fields interact between objects?
Activity Objectives
- Develop a model for the interaction of electric and magnetic fields in a single wire.
- Develop a model for changes in field strength for the interaction of electric and magnetic fields.
Next Generation Science Standards* (NGSS)
PE HS-PS3-5. Develop and use a model of two objects interacting through electric or magnetic fields to illustrate the forces between objects and the changes in energy of the objects due to the interaction.
Science and Engineering Practices
Developing and Using Model
- Develop and use a model based on evidence to illustrate the relationships between systems or between components of a system.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
PS3.C: Relationship Between Energy and Forces
- When two objects interacting through a field change relative position, the energy stored in the field is changed.
Crosscutting Concepts
Cause and Effect
- (MS) The transfer of energy can be tracked as energy flows through a natural system.
- Cause and effect relationships can be suggested and predicted for complex natural and humandesigned systems by examining what is known about smaller scale mechanisms within the system.
Safety Procedures and Precautions
Examine all batteries prior to the activity. Properly dispose of or recycle any batteries that show signs of corrosion or leakage. Wear safety glasses.
Teacher Preparation and Disposal
To save time, pre-cut the cardboard or foam core board and the copper wire. Check the batteries for corrosion and strength. All materials may be reused.
Activity Procedure
- Tape 2 sheets of paper together so they cover the cardboard.
- To save time, you may pre-cut the copper wire and cardboard/foam core board for students.
- Secure the paper to the cardboard with one piece of tape per side.
- Six small compasses around the wire provide more information than 2 larger compasses.
- From the top side, gently push the copper wire through the paper and cardboard.
- If you use larger compasses, extend the size of the cardboard.
- Make 6 loops of tape, sticky side out.
- If you use larger compasses, extend the size of the cardboard.
- Attach the tape loops to the back of the compasses and evenly space them around the copper wire, approximately 5 centimeters from the wire.
- Do not store the 9-volt batteries with the leads attached.
- Make sure the cardboard is horizontal and parallel to the floor. Using a single colored pencil, sketch the direction of the compass needles directly on the paper. Label the north and south poles of the compass needles.
- Attach the leads with alligator clips to the battery as shown in the figure to the right.
- Attach one lead to the upper section of copper wire. Attach the other lead to the lower section of copper wire.
- Make sure the cardboard is horizontal and parallel to the floor. Using a different colored pencil, sketch the direction of the compass needles directly on the paper. Label the north and south poles of the compass needle.
- Switch the positions of the alligator lead clips. Move the top clip to the bottom and the bottom clip to the top.
- Make sure the cardboard is horizontal and parallel to the floor. Using a different colored pencil, sketch the direction of the compass needles directly on the paper. Label the north and south poles of the compass needle.
- Remove the leads from the copper wire.
- Carefully remove the compasses from the paper. Remove all tape from the paper and compasses. Remove the copper wire from the cardboard.
- Tape 2 sheets of paper together so they cover the cardboard. Tape the paper to the board.
- Re-insert the copper wire into the hole in the cardboard.
- Arrange the compasses around the copper wire—as close to the wire as possible—but do not tape them down.
- Hook the leads to the copper wire and sketch the directions of the compass needles.
- Reposition the compasses 2 centimeters further from the copper wire and sketch the directions of the compass needles.
- Continue moving the compasses in 2-centimeter increments and sketching the needle directions until the compasses reach the edge of the cardboard.
- Disconnect the alligator clips from the copper wire and the leads from the battery. Remove the copper wire and the paper from the cardboard.
Data and Observations
All sketches should be color coded and identified by the steps with which they are associated.
In the first sketch, the compass needles should bepointing to magnetic north.
In the second sketch, the compass needles should be pointing in the direction of the magnetic field. Depending on the connection of the battery leads to the wire, all the needles will point clockwise or counterclockwise.
In the third sketch, the leads to the copper wires are reversed, so the direction of the magnetic field is reversed. If the second sketch showed a clockwise direction, the third sketch should show a counterclockwise direction.
Analysis
1. Use your magnetic field map sketches to develop a model for the interaction of electric and magnetic fields in a single wire.
When there is no current running through the copper wire, there is no interaction between electric and magnetic fields, so the compass needles point toward magnetic north as expected.
When current runs through the copper wire, an interaction occurs between fields that is dependent on the direction of the current. The compass needles point in the direction that follows the right-hand rule.
2. Develop a model for changes in field strength for the interaction of electric and magnetic fields.
The further the compasses are from the current in the copper wire, the weaker the interactions are between fields.
*Next Generation Science Standards® is a registered trademark of Achieve. Neither Achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of, and do not endorse, these products.
