Carolina® Introduction to Electromagnetism Kit

Product Details

• Students learn how electromagnets power everyday devices and get to build a simple motor and even their own working audio speaker.
• High school laboratory investigation with enough materials for 8 lab groups.
• Carolina Kits 3D®—Labs that use phenomena to support NGSS and 3-dimensional instruction.

In this investigation, students explore the structure and function of several electromagnetic devices and learn how the scientific principles of electricity and electromagnetic induction can be applied to the design of a device in order to produce a desired effect or perform a specific function—all in order to make sense of the phenomenon and answer the Driving Question, “How can electromagnets be adapted and incorporated into the design of multiple devices, each of which performs a different function?”

Time Requirement
Teacher Prep, 60 minutes. Pre-lab, 45 minutes. Investigation, 90 minutes. Assessment, 30 minutes.

Digital Resources
Includes 1-year access to digital resources that support 3-dimensional instruction for NGSS. Digital resources may include a teacher’s manual and student guide, pre-lab activities and setup videos, phenomenon videos, simulations, and post-lab analysis and assessments.

Performance Expectations
HS-PS2-5
HS-PS3-1
HS-PS3-5
HS-PS4-2

Crosscutting Concepts
Cause and Effect

Disciplinary Core Ideas
PS2.B: Types of Interactions

Science and Engineering Practices
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Learning Objectives

• Investigate the relationship between electrical energy and magnetic force by studying how electrical current in a wire interacts with the magnetic field of a compass needle.
• Apply electromagnetic theory to the design of devices that convert electrical energy into kinetic energy (e.g., a solenoid, an electromagnet, an electric motor, and an audio speaker).
• Demonstrate an understanding of the operating principles of electromagnetic devices, such as speakers and motors, by generating graphics that indicate the direction of the current, magnetic fields, and forces acting on the moving parts of the devices.

Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills
Students should be familiar with concepts related to electric circuits, including current, resistance, and voltage. Students should understand the relationship between force and work, as well as the principle of conservation of energy. Students should understand that Earth generates a magnetic field powerful enough to enable navigation by compass at any point on the surface and that the magnetic field is generated by the motion of Earth’s molten outer core.