Electromagnet+Lab+Project

Electromagnet Project

In this project you will design an experiment to test how you can influence the strength of an electromagnet. = = =Kick Off- virtual lab observations= Go to this site first to make some observations about how the thickness of the wire, the number of turns, the voltage and the type of wire can influence the strength of an electromagnet.[] Make a data table to record your observations in your science notebooks:

(Number of metal filings picked up) ||
 * Factor Changed || What happened to the strength of the magnet?
 * Thickness of Wire ||  ||
 * Number of turns of the wire ||  ||
 * Voltage ||  ||
 * Type of wire ||  ||

Then write a paragraph summarizing your observations and show it to Mrs. R for grading.
Formal Lab Report- Tips and reminders from class notes

Purpose and Question
In this section you are to write a statement about the purpose of this lab. You shoud also write a type two research question that looks at the interaction of two variables. Remember the format for a type two research question is //To what extent does the MV affect the RV?// ==

For the formal lab report you are expected to write a background section that incorporates science vocabulary. In the background section you should answer the following:
 * Background Section**==

Paragraph one is to give //Background Information// related to these following questions (formal paragraph with topic sentences, organized ideas etc.) NOT AS QUESTIONS

 * What is magnetism?
 * What is electricity?
 * How is magnetism related to electricity?

Paragraph two is to //Describe the purpose of the experiment// related to the following questions (formal paragraph with topic sentences, organized ideas etc.) NOT AS QUESTIONS
Besides the articles handed out and read in class, our notebooks and chapters 9-10 of our textbook //__**(especially 10.2),**__// You can also check out these websites for additional background information needed for this lab report. [] http://www.coolmagnetman.com/magelect.htm [] [] [] battery circuit coils compass current decrease electric field electricity electromagnet electron energy force increase iron core kinetic energy || lodestone magnet magnetic field negative north pole positive potential energy repel south pole strength transformation variable voltage ||
 * How is energy being transformed in an electromagnet?
 * What are factors that influence the strength of an electromagnet?
 * What factor are you going to test and why?
 * ~ Science vocab that relates to the background section paragraphs ||
 * attract

**Variable Matrix**
When designing your lab you will need to identify all the factors that can influence the strength of the electromagnet and decide how to control these factors. To track these variables we will use what Mrs. R calls a variable matrix.

Along the left side of the matrix list all the equipment you plan to use for your experiement. Then to the right of each item list things that could be changed about the tiem that would influence the strength of the electromagent. I have started the matrix for you, however you will need to complete the matrix.

===
 * ~ Equipment ||~ Factor 1 ||~ Factor 2 ||~ Factor 3 ||~ Factor 4 ||
 * = //**wire**// ||= thckness of the wire ||= total length of the wire used ||= type of wire used ||=  ||
 * = //**batteries**// ||= number of batteries ||=  ||=   ||=   ||
 * //**paper clips**// ||  ||   ||   ||   ||
 * = //**nail**// ||=  ||=   ||=   ||=   ||

After you have completed the matrix, use it to help write your procedure so you control all the listed variables. You can only change one thing at a time so all the other factors have to be controlled.. Based on the matrix you can see that you need to be specific about the size, total length and type of wire used for the electromagnet because these things can influence the strength of your electromagnet, So in your proceedure be sure to mention specific descriptions of the materials and use those measurements (in metrics) when doing the experiment.
 * Procedure**===

//Example:// //Step 1. Cut 75 cm of 20 gauge copper wire. The total length of the wire used in each magnet was 75 cm//. //Step 2: Use a steel nail that is 5cm in length. Wrap the wire around the nail 10 times.// //Step 3: Use 2 D cell batteries (total of 3 Volts) to power the magnet//. ===

Resuts=== In this section you are expected to put a copy of your data table, to write any addtional observations you made during the lab and to make a graph that represents your data. You can use Excel or Create A Graph [] Hint a bar graph is used when one of the variables is groups like types of animals or colors. An X-Y graph is used when both variables are numbers. //MIX and DRY should help you figure out which variable to put on the X-axis and which goes on the Y-axis.// ===

Conclusion=== After you have analyzed your data and recorded your observations you will write a reflective conculsion to your experiment. In this section you summarize and make connections to your experiment.

Paragraph one is to //Summarize the Experiment// related to the following questions (formal paragraph with topic sentences, organized ideas etc.) NOT AS QUESTIONS

 * Summarize what you did in your experiment and talk about any interesting or important observations your made. How did your data compare to others who picked the same factor?
 * Was your hypothesis supported or rejected by your observations? Why?
 * Explain the graph you made for this lab and why you choose to use that type of graph.

Paragraph two is to //Make Connections// related to the following questions (formal paragraph with topic sentences, organized ideas etc.) NOT AS QUESTIONS

 * How does your experiment relate to what we have been studying in class?
 * How could you improve the experiment?
 * What is a "real-world" application for what you learned in your experiment?

Copies of handouts and templates for the formal lab report This is an outline of each section of the formal lab report. You are epxected to have each of the sections with a bold heading and the required information. Remember this is a general formt. Refer to the notes given in class and on this page for specific details about the background and conclusion sections.

This is a sample lab report in the proper format. You can use this as a reference for writing your formal report. This report is an example of student work that earned an A/B grade but does not represent a "perfect paper". Use this form as an organizer for planning your experiment and writing your formal lab repor