Lesson J1: Magnetic fields
Main activities
J1a What do magnets do?
For each group:
· 2 bar magnets
· small pieces of iron, nickel, copper and aluminium
· a compass
J1b Magnetic forces
For each group:
Core, Help:
· selection of magnets labelled A, B, C and D
(A and B should both be ‘strong’ magnets; C and D should be weaker than A and B.)
Extension:
· four similar rods, labelled W, X, Y and Z, made of iron, brass, wood and a magnet
· bar magnet
Plenary activities
Looking ahead
· two bar magnets
· OHP
· iron filings
· acetate sheet (to prevent iron filings touching the magnets)
Lesson J2: Magnets
Starter activities
Capture interest (2)
· magnet, clamp stand (to hold magnet vertically)
· thread
· blu tack
· paper clip
· various materials to test, e.g. iron, paper, aluminium, glass
Main activities
J2a Plotting magnetic fields
For each group:
· bar magnet (two for each Extension group)
· plotting compass
· A4 sheet of plain paper
· sharp, soft pencil
J2b Using a compass to navigate
For each group:
· map showing location of buried treasure and planned route
· chalk, tape or small object to indicate the starting point
· orienteering compass
· trundle wheel or measuring tape
· stick (or similar) with group name to mark position of treasure
Lesson J3: Making magnets
Starter activities
Capture interest (1)
· test-tube two-thirds full of iron filings fitted with a tight stopper
· strong bar magnet
· small nails or pins to test that a magnet has been made
Main activities
J3a Making magnets
For each group:
· steel strip
· bar magnet (possibly different strengths for different groups)
· paper clips
· access to a demagnetising coil carrying alternating current
Help:
· test-tube of iron filings with a tight-fitting bung (pupils do not remove the bung)
· strong bar magnet
· plotting compass (to test for magnetism)
J3b Making a compass
For each group:
· bar magnet
· blunt needle or straightened paper clip
· length of thread
· filter paper
· trough of water (large enough to float a needle or straightened paper clip)
· compass
Plenary activities
Looking ahead
· long iron nail (or similar)
· length of insulated wire wound around nail with turns touching and covering most of its length and with a minimum of 10 cm free at either end, two crocodile clips (to attach to ends of insulated wire), two connecting leads, low-voltage high-current power supply (e.g. Westminster type), small pins, paper clips or nails (to show that the nail is magnetised)
Lesson J4: Electromagnets
Main activities
J4a Making an electromagnet
Core:
· about 1 metre of plastic coated wire stripped at both ends
· two crocodile clips
· wooden cylinder (to form a coil of wire)
· low-voltage dc power supply
· two connecting leads
· heat-resistant mat
· plotting compass
· blu tack
· A4 sheet of plain paper
Extension:
· about 1 metre of plastic coated wire stripped at both ends
· two crocodile clips
· low-voltage dc power supply
· two connecting leads
· clamp stand, or similar, to support wire in a vertical position
· plotting compass
· piece of card (about 15 cm square) with central hole
J4b Adding a core to an electromagnet
For each group:
· about 1 metre of plastic coated wire stripped at both ends
· two crocodile clips
· wooden cylinder (to form a coil of wire)
· low-voltage dc power supply
· two connecting leads
· heat-resistant mat
· rods of various materials, as decided by the teacher
· paper clips or iron nails (to test the strength of the electromagnet)
· access to a demagnetising coil carrying alternating current
Lesson J5: Variables
Starter activities
Bridging to the unit
· iron cylindrical core
· low-voltage, high-current power supply and variable resistor or variable power supply
· two crocodile clips
· very tiny magnetic objects, e.g. a few iron filings or tiny steel washers
· a large magnetic object, e.g. large iron weight or large toy car
Lesson J5 Investigate: How to make an electromagnet stronger
Main activities
J5 Investigate: How to make an electromagnet stronger
Core:
· about 1 metre of plastic coated wire stripped at both ends
· two crocodile clips
· wooden cylinder (to form a coil of wire)
· variable power supply
· ammeter
· connecting leads
· heat-resistant mat
· iron rod
· paper clips or iron nails (to test the strength of the electromagnet)
· access to a demagnetising coil carrying alternating current
Help:
· about 1 metre of plastic coated wire stripped at both ends
· connecting leads
· heat-resistant mat
· two crocodile clips
· iron rod
· wooden cylinder (to form a coil of wire)
· paper clips or iron nails (to test the strength of the electromagnet)
· low-voltage dc power supply
5
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