Question
Part 1: Test Your Electromagnet’s Performance
Materials
For each of the following tests, you will need some or all of the materials listed below:
2 D-cell Batteries
nail, 3-inch (7.6 cm) or longer (made of zinc, iron, or steel, but not aluminum)
3 feet (.6 m) insulated copper wire (at least AWG 22 or higher)
box of small metal paper clips
masking tape
Procedures
Several procedures are listed in the Practice section of the portfolio. Follow the instructions for each test, and record your data in the tables provided below.
Tables
Number of Loops Test
Tested Component
Trials
1. Number of paper clips picked up by the 30-turn coil without a core
2. Number of paper clips picked up by the 60-turn coil without a core
3. Average for the trials in column 2
4. Ranking
Number of turns in the coil
Trial 2
Trial 3
Place an Iron Core in the Coil Test
Tested Component
Trials
1. Number of paper clips picked up by the 30-turn coil without a core
2. Number of paper clips picked up by the 30-turn coil with a core
3. Average for the trials in column 2
4. Ranking
Iron Core
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Double the Current Through the Coil Test
Tested Component
Trials
1. Number of paper clips picked up by the 30-turn coil without a core
2. Number of paper clips picked up by the 30-turn coil with a core but with 2 D-cell batteries
3. Average for the trials in column 2
4. Ranking
Doubling the current
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Part 2: Evaluate Your Electromagnet’s Performance
Data Analysis and Questions
Find the average for each of the three trials in column 2 and record your answer in column 3 for each of the data tables.
Which coil configuration served as the control during this experiment? Why was it important to use a control in this experiment?
In column 4 of each data table, rank the electromagnet changes from 1 to 4, with 1 being the change that picked up the most paperclips and 4 being the least paperclips picked up.
Based on your ranking in column 4 of the Electromagnet Data Table, changes to which component yields the greatest change in electromagnet strength?
Given unlimited resources (amount of wire, space to put electromagnet, number of batteries or electric source, etc.), describe how you would build the best (strongest) electromagnet below. Draw a picture of your “better electromagnet” and label the important features. Scan and insert your picture below your description.
Part 3: Show What You Know
Show What You Know
Consider the diagram of changes in kinetic and potential energy of a roller coaster as it moves up and down its track.
Draw a simple graph. Label the horizontal (x) axis “Time” and label the vertical (y) axis “Kinetic energy.” Do not include units, as you will be plotting only general increases and decreases.
Use this blank graph for activity A below.
Source: Oxford Designers & Illustrators Ltd/Pearson Education Ltd
On the graph, draw a curve showing the changes in the kinetic energy of the roller coaster pictured in the illustration, starting at the point where the cars are pictured. (Hint: The kinetic energy increases when potential energy decreases because the potential energy converts to kinetic energy.)
How does your graph compare to the illustration of the roller coaster?
Try This
Observe your surroundings and consider processes that you experience every day. Identify three or more other examples of processes and devices that convert energy from one form to another. If you are unsure of the forms of energy that are converted, carry out a quick online search.
Present your ideas to your Learning Coach. You may do this verbally or by writing or drawing. Explain the reasoning behind your ideas. Be open to discussion. Review the glossary to prepare for your next assignment.
1.
2.
3.
Part 4: Reflect
Reflect
Review your completed activities that are to be submitted to your Learning Coach, including your design plan and table of evaluation results, and consider the following:
1. How did you assess your electromagnet’s performance, and how did you improve its performance?
2. What was the most difficult step in designing, constructing, and testing your electromagnet?
3. Do you think your electromagnet’s design and your approach to assessing its performance are the only correct ones? Explain.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
### Part 1: Test Your Electromagnet’s Performance
#### Number of Loops Test
| Tested Component | Trials | Average | Ranking |
|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------|------------------|---------|
| 1. Number of paper clips picked up by the 30-turn coil without a core | Trial 1 | Insert Value | Insert Value |
| | Trial 2 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 3 | Insert Value | |
| 2. Number of paper clips picked up by the 60-turn coil without a core | Trial 1 | Insert Value | Insert Value |
| | Trial 2 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 3 | Insert Value | |
| 3. Average for the trials in column 2 | - | Insert Average | |
| 4. Ranking | - | Insert Ranking | |
| **Number of turns in the coil** | 30 and 60 | | |
#### Place an Iron Core in the Coil Test
| Tested Component | Trials | Average | Ranking |
|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------|------------------|---------|
| 1. Number of paper clips picked up by the 30-turn coil without a core | Trial 1 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 2 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 3 | Insert Value | |
| 2. Number of paper clips picked up by the 30-turn coil with a core | Trial 1 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 2 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 3 | Insert Value | |
| 3. Average for the trials in column 2 | - | Insert Average | |
| 4. Ranking | - | Insert Ranking | |
| **Iron Core** | - | | |
#### Double the Current Through the Coil Test
| Tested Component | Trials | Average | Ranking |
|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------|------------------|---------|
| 1. Number of paper clips picked up by the 30-turn coil without a core | Trial 1 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 2 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 3 | Insert Value | |
| 2. Number of paper clips picked up by the 30-turn coil with a core but with 2 D-cell batteries | Trial 1 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 2 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 3 | Insert Value | |
| 3. Average for the trials in column 2 | - | Insert Average | |
| 4. Ranking | - | Insert Ranking | |
| **Doubling the current** | - | | |
---
### Part 2: Evaluate Your Electromagnet’s Performance
1. **Control Configuration**: The coil without a core and with 30 turns served as the control in this experiment as it provided a baseline for comparing the effects of adding more turns or introducing an iron core, ensuring consistency in other variables.
2. **Importance of Control**: Using a control allows us to see the direct effects of the changes we make (like altering the number of turns or adding a core), ensuring that any differences observed are due to the changes and not other uncontrolled factors.
3. **Ranking of Changes in Electromagnet Strength**: Based on the data collected and ranking in column 4, changes to adding an iron core likely produced the most significant increase in electromagnet strength due to improved magnetic field circulation. Doubling the current also enhances strength but might be less impactful than a core.
4. **Instructions for a Stronger Electromagnet**:
- Use a more extensive iron core for maximum magnetic field density.
- Increase the number of loops in the wire beyond 60 if possible.
- Use a higher voltage source to double the current.
- Ensure the wire is wound tightly and uniformly around the core.
- An illustration would be provided to indicate the following features:
- **Iron core**: A solid iron or steel core.
- **Coil**: Made of several layers, tightly wound.
- **Power Source**: Clearly labeled D-cell batteries or a stronger power supply.
---
### Part 3: Show What You Know
- **Graph**: Draw a simple curve showing kinetic energy typically decreases when potential energy increases. Start at a high potential (at the top of a hill) and slope down as the roller coaster moves, converting potential energy into kinetic energy as it descends.
1. **Energy Conversion Examples**:
- **Light Bulb**: Electrical energy to light energy (and some heat).
- **Car Engine**: Chemical energy from fuel converting to mechanical energy to drive the car.
- **Wind Turbine**: Kinetic energy from wind converted into electrical energy.
---
### Part 4: Reflect
1. **Assessment of Electromagnet Performance**: The performance was assessed by measuring how many paper clips each configuration could pick up. Improvements were made by increasing the number of turns and using an iron core, leading to better performance.
2. **Difficult Steps**: Ensuring that the coils were tightly wound and evenly spaced was challenging; it required patience to avoid loose or uneven turns that could affect strength.
3. **Design and Performance Assessment**: There are many ways to design an electromagnet, and while my approach was successful, others may offer different configurations that could yield better results. Variability in materials, wire gauge, and power sources may produce diverse conclusions.
---
Please input actual values into the tables during your experiment and attach an illustration for a complete presentation.
#### Number of Loops Test
| Tested Component | Trials | Average | Ranking |
|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------|------------------|---------|
| 1. Number of paper clips picked up by the 30-turn coil without a core | Trial 1 | Insert Value | Insert Value |
| | Trial 2 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 3 | Insert Value | |
| 2. Number of paper clips picked up by the 60-turn coil without a core | Trial 1 | Insert Value | Insert Value |
| | Trial 2 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 3 | Insert Value | |
| 3. Average for the trials in column 2 | - | Insert Average | |
| 4. Ranking | - | Insert Ranking | |
| **Number of turns in the coil** | 30 and 60 | | |
#### Place an Iron Core in the Coil Test
| Tested Component | Trials | Average | Ranking |
|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------|------------------|---------|
| 1. Number of paper clips picked up by the 30-turn coil without a core | Trial 1 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 2 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 3 | Insert Value | |
| 2. Number of paper clips picked up by the 30-turn coil with a core | Trial 1 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 2 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 3 | Insert Value | |
| 3. Average for the trials in column 2 | - | Insert Average | |
| 4. Ranking | - | Insert Ranking | |
| **Iron Core** | - | | |
#### Double the Current Through the Coil Test
| Tested Component | Trials | Average | Ranking |
|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------|------------------|---------|
| 1. Number of paper clips picked up by the 30-turn coil without a core | Trial 1 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 2 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 3 | Insert Value | |
| 2. Number of paper clips picked up by the 30-turn coil with a core but with 2 D-cell batteries | Trial 1 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 2 | Insert Value | |
| | Trial 3 | Insert Value | |
| 3. Average for the trials in column 2 | - | Insert Average | |
| 4. Ranking | - | Insert Ranking | |
| **Doubling the current** | - | | |
---
### Part 2: Evaluate Your Electromagnet’s Performance
1. **Control Configuration**: The coil without a core and with 30 turns served as the control in this experiment as it provided a baseline for comparing the effects of adding more turns or introducing an iron core, ensuring consistency in other variables.
2. **Importance of Control**: Using a control allows us to see the direct effects of the changes we make (like altering the number of turns or adding a core), ensuring that any differences observed are due to the changes and not other uncontrolled factors.
3. **Ranking of Changes in Electromagnet Strength**: Based on the data collected and ranking in column 4, changes to adding an iron core likely produced the most significant increase in electromagnet strength due to improved magnetic field circulation. Doubling the current also enhances strength but might be less impactful than a core.
4. **Instructions for a Stronger Electromagnet**:
- Use a more extensive iron core for maximum magnetic field density.
- Increase the number of loops in the wire beyond 60 if possible.
- Use a higher voltage source to double the current.
- Ensure the wire is wound tightly and uniformly around the core.
- An illustration would be provided to indicate the following features:
- **Iron core**: A solid iron or steel core.
- **Coil**: Made of several layers, tightly wound.
- **Power Source**: Clearly labeled D-cell batteries or a stronger power supply.
---
### Part 3: Show What You Know
- **Graph**: Draw a simple curve showing kinetic energy typically decreases when potential energy increases. Start at a high potential (at the top of a hill) and slope down as the roller coaster moves, converting potential energy into kinetic energy as it descends.
1. **Energy Conversion Examples**:
- **Light Bulb**: Electrical energy to light energy (and some heat).
- **Car Engine**: Chemical energy from fuel converting to mechanical energy to drive the car.
- **Wind Turbine**: Kinetic energy from wind converted into electrical energy.
---
### Part 4: Reflect
1. **Assessment of Electromagnet Performance**: The performance was assessed by measuring how many paper clips each configuration could pick up. Improvements were made by increasing the number of turns and using an iron core, leading to better performance.
2. **Difficult Steps**: Ensuring that the coils were tightly wound and evenly spaced was challenging; it required patience to avoid loose or uneven turns that could affect strength.
3. **Design and Performance Assessment**: There are many ways to design an electromagnet, and while my approach was successful, others may offer different configurations that could yield better results. Variability in materials, wire gauge, and power sources may produce diverse conclusions.
---
Please input actual values into the tables during your experiment and attach an illustration for a complete presentation.