Building an Electromagnet
Students design and construct electromagnets that must pick up 10 staples. They begin with only minimal guidance, and after the basic concept is understood, are informed of the properties that affect the strength of that magnet. They conclude by designing their own electromagnets to complete the challenge of separating scrap steel from scrap aluminum for recycling, and share it with the class.
Building an ElectromagnetCopyright Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Homemade_Electromagnet.jpg
This activity encompasses the design and testing phases of the engineering design process. Students only have the knowledge of the scientific principles at work and a specific goal to achieve and no one correct way exists to solve the problem. Multiple solutions may work, depending on which factors affecting the design are deemed more important.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Describe how the magnetic field of an electric current can be used to create a magnetic field similar to that of a permanent magnet.
- Build an electromagnet.
- Identify the properties of an electromagnet that affect its strength.
- Explain what engineers would have to do to build an electromagnet for use to separate metal for recycling.