Student Name: _______________________________

Activity 1: Jump Rope Generator

1. A teacher will help set up the extension cord to the galvanometer using alligator clips.2. Face north-south with a partner, turn the extension cord like a large jump rope slowly. Obverse the

galvanometer and record. Repeat but turn the cord faster.3. Turn the jump rope the other way and repeat step 2.4. Now face east-west and repeat steps 2 and 3 above and record.

Fill out the table with your measurements of greatest deflection on the galvanometer in each of the four cases. Then answer the questions below the table.

Speed of Extension Cord Cord aligned east-west Cord aligned north-south

Slow

Fast

Questions:

1. Describe the conditions in which you had the maximum voltage (or current) through the galvanometer.

2. Describe the conditions in which you had the minimum voltage (or current) through the galvanometer.

3. Explain why the galvanometer needle moves when you play jump-rope with the extension cord.

Activity 2: Iron FillingsSketch what you observe for each different arrangement.

1. Cover one magnet with a paper and sprinkle the iron fillings overtop.

2. Cover two magnets with paper. Have the North and South side facing each other but not touching. Sprinkle the iron fillings overtop.

3. Cover two magnets with paper. Have both North sides facing each other but not touching. Sprinkle the iron fillings overtop.

Questions:

1. Do any of these three trails show repulsion? How do you know?

2. How did you know attraction was happening between the magnets?

3. Does putting two magnets together create a stronger attraction? How do you know?

Activity 3: The Effect of Current on a Compass

1. Place the compass under the connecting wire.2. Ensure that the compass needle is pointing north and

that the needle is directly under the connecting wire.3. Briefly connect the connecting wire to the positive and

negative terminals of a single cell.

Questions

1. Explain what happens to the needle when the current flows through the circuit and is above the compass. Sketch your answer.

2. Explain what happens to the needle when the current flows through the circuit and is below the compass. Sketch your answer.

Activity 4: Generating Electricity with a Coil and a Magnet

A galvanometer is a sensitive ammeter; it can detect electrical current (milliamperes). When we out a permanent magnet very close to this conducting wire, the repulsion and attraction of the poles increases and causes the electrons to rotate. The direction of current is reflected in which way the needle deflects.

1. Connect the ends of the copper wire coil to the terminals of the galvanometer.

2. Using the bar magnet, out the bar magnet into the center of the tube and pull it out quickly. Repeat this multiple times.

Questions

1. What affect does this have on this galvanometer?

2. How many milliamperes of current are you able to create?

Activity 5: Making an Electromagnet

1. Using the nail wound coil, test its magnetic properties by putting it close to smaller, uncoiled nails.

2. Connect the connecting wires to the positive and negative terminals of the battery.

3. Place the coiled nail close to the smaller, uncoiled nails.

Questions:

1. What effect did the current travelling through the wire have on the nail?