Three Ways to Generate Electricity

Magnetic Field Filings
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Intended Grade Level(s):
7-8
Energy Content:
Electricity and Magnetism,
Electricity Generation,
Solar Photovoltaic
Learning Goal(s):

Students will be able to: • Detect the relative strength of magnetic fields at different distances from a magnet • Explain the energy transformations occurring in each part of a circuit • Identify three different methods for generating electricity

Unit:
Solar vs. Wind Energy
Lesson Number:
4
Pedagogy & Practice:
Group Work/Collaboration,
Hands-on Materials
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices:
1: Asking Questions and Defining Problems,
3: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations,
4: Analyzing and Interpreting Data,
8: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Relevant NGSS PE:
MS-PS2-3,
MS-PS2-4
Other Subjects Covered:
ELA: Writing,
Math: Graphing & Representation,
Math: Measurement
Estimated Activity Length:
3 hours
Relevant Common Core Standard(s):
6-8.RST.3,
6-8.RST.4
Files Associated with this Activity:
PDF icon Lesson 4 Three ways to Generate Electricity.pdf
PDF icon Student Sheet 4 Three Ways to Generate Electricity.pdf
Description:

This lesson gives students hands-on experiences with the attraction and repulsion of magnets including experiments with how the strength of attraction and repulsion varies with distance. Students see how magnets are used in motors but also in electric generators. Finally, students learn three different methods for generating electricity (chemical/battery, magnets/turbine, and photovoltaic cells). Warning: Part 2 “magnets and distance” is very finicky and can be difficult to get good results. Try it yourself until you feel confident or this lesson will probably not go well. 

Science Kit Material(s) Used:
1.5-Volt 500mA Solar Module
Multimeter
Other Material(s) Used:
iron filings, computer, compass, ruler, painters or masking tape, bar magnets, plastic box frame, various other magnets, small dc motor, grain of wheat bulb, camp light, protractor, D cell battery, AA battery, AAA battery, student sheet