LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Build an electromagnet

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=428

A lesson plan for Grade 4 Science

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

About this resource

Appropriate grades
4
Subjects
science (general, technology and innovation), thinking skills (information literacy)
Provider
American Association for the Advancement of Science

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In this lesson, students learn how to construct and use an electromagnet. By exploring magnets, students are indirectly introduced to the idea that there are forces that occur on earth which cannot be seen. In this lesson, students will make a simple electromagnet by wrapping a wire around a nail and attaching the ends of the wire to a battery to make an electric circuit. As current flows through the coil, a magnetic field is produced and the nail is magnetized. Lessons such as this help to build a foundation upon which students can develop their ideas about gravitational force and how electric currents and magnets can exert a force as well. Science NetLinks provides student handouts, links to web resources, directions for completing the activity, and questions to engage students in discussion about electromagnets. This activity also includes similar activities from How Stuff Works.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Science (2005)

Grade 4

  • Goal 3: The learner will make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of magnetism and electricity.
    • Objective 3.01: Observe and investigate the pull of magnets on all materials made of iron and the pushes or pulls on other magnets.
    • Objective 3.02: Describe and demonstrate how magnetism can be used to generate electricity.
    • Objective 3.03: Design and test an electric circuit as a closed pathway including an energy source, energy conductor, and an energy receiver.
    • Objective 3.04: Explain how magnetism is related to electricity.