Electricity and Magnetism Science Fair Projects, Using the Scientific Method

by Robert Gardner, Stephanie LaBaff (Illustrator), Tom LaBaff (Illustrator)

Overview

Unlock the secrets of circuits, batteries, and magnets. Readers will learn all about current, static charges, motors, and more. All they need are some common household materials. If readers are interested in competing in a science fair, they can get many great ideas that will help them create a unique, award-winning science project.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780766034181
Publisher:	Enslow Publishing, LLC
Publication date:	01/16/2010
Series:	Physics Science Projects Using the Scientific Method Series
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	6.60(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	10 - 17 Years

Table of Contents

Introduction: Electricity and Magnetism Science Fair Projects Using the Scientific Method 7

How Scientists Search for Answers 10

Using the Scientific Method in Experiments and Projects 12

Science Fairs 20

Safety First 24

1 Static Electricity: Charges at Rest 27

1.1 Getting Charged 29

1.2 Inducing Charge 34

1.3 Detecting Charge: An Electroscope 37

1.4 Some Static Effects 41

2 Moving Charges 45

2.1 A Simple Electric Circuit 48

2.2 Building Circuits 50

2.3 Series and Parallel Circuits 54

2.4 Switches 56

2.5 Flow of Charge Around a Circuit 59

2.6 Sending Messages Electrically 61

2.7 Short Circuit: The Easy Path 64

2.8 Resistors: The Hard Path 68

2.9 A Burglar Alarm Circuit 72

2.10 A Fuse for Safety 75

3 Magnets and Magnetic Fields 79

3.1 Two Magnets 80

3.2 A Magnetic Field 86

3.3 Magnets, Magnetic Matter, and Nonmagnetic Matter 90

3.4 Unmaking a Magnet 93

3.5 Can a Magnetic Field Act Through Materials? 96

4 Magnetism From Electricity 99

4.1 Oersted's Discovery 100

4.2 An Electric Current's Magnetic Field 102

4.3 An Electric Meter 105

4.4 Using an Electric Meter to Test for Conductivity 108

4.5 Magnetic Coils 111

4.6 Electromagnets 114

5 Electricity, Magnets, and Motors 119

5.1 A Current in a Magnetic Field 120

5.2 A Current in a Magnetic Field and Motors 125

5.3 A Current from a Magnetic Field 133

6 Electricity and Chemistry 139

6.1 Inside a Daniell Cell 141

6.2 Inside a D Cell 146

6.3 The Minimum Ingredients for an Electric Cell 149

Appendix: Science Supply Companies 155

Further Reading 156

Internet Addresses 157

Index 158

Editorial Reviews

This new series is an expansion and revision of the very popular science projects series of the 1990s. The new series includes volumes in biology, chemistry, physics, and the earth. They are a welcome addition to available resources for students and teachers who want to engage in the scientific process in simple, yet meaningful, ways. Other titles in the series include Planet Earth Science Fair Projects, Genetics and Evolution Science Fair Projects, and Weather Science Fair Projects. Each volume has an introduction explaining the scientific method and how to utilize this process to investigate a wide range of topics. Organic Chemistry investigates different methods of leavening in baking, as well as projects such as chromatography and testing for basic food groups. The revised book on electricity and magnetism contains some of the same projects as in the 1994 Science Projects About Electricity and Magnets but with expanded instructions that include colorful illustrations. Additional projects found in the revised book include the Morse Code and a burglar alarm. The activities in all of the volumes in this series involve activities of high interest to youth and utilize materials that are inexpensive and readily available.

From the Publisher