What Affects Electric & Magnetic Forces
Aligned to MS-PS2-3 — Next Generation Science Standards.
What this lesson teaches
The strength of electric and magnetic forces depends on factors like the amount of charge, the number of wire coils, the size of the current, and the distance between the objects.
Worked examples
Example 1
An electromagnet made by wrapping wire around a nail lifts more paperclips when you add more coils or increase the battery's current, showing that those factors strengthen the magnetic force.
Example 2
Electric force weakens fast with distance: double the separation and the force drops to a quarter.
Example 3
Cut the current and an electromagnet stops being magnetic instantly. That is why cranes use them to pick up and drop scrap metal.
Practice questions
- Observe an electromagnet and list two variables you could change to test its strength.
- Ask a testable question about how distance affects the force between two magnets.
- Explain what a data table should include to compare force strength fairly.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Qué Afecta las Fuerzas Eléctricas y Magnéticas
La intensidad de las fuerzas eléctricas y magnéticas depende de factores como la cantidad de carga, el número de vueltas de alambre, el tamaño de la corriente y la distancia entre los objetos.
Ejemplo 1: Un electroimán hecho enrollando alambre alrededor de un clavo levanta más clips cuando agregas más vueltas o aumentas la corriente de la pila, mostrando que esos factores fortalecen la fuerza magnética.
Ejemplo 2: La fuerza eléctrica se debilita rápido con la distancia: duplica la separación y la fuerza baja a una cuarta parte.
Ejemplo 3: Corta la corriente y un electroimán deja de ser magnético al instante. Por eso las grúas los usan para levantar y soltar chatarra.
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