Stripped Down Motor

Instructions for building a simple electromagnetic motor are provided for the teacher. Aside from some sketchy background information and a list of content standards to be met, that is about all you will find in this resource. The motor...

What is reflectivity, and what does it have to do with the Earth's climate? As reflectivity is measured by albedo, scientists can gather information on Earth's energy balances that relate to global warming or climate change. Budding...

There is a specific zone, or distance from a star, that a planet must be in order to have water in a liquid form. The activity demonstrates how flux density depends on its distance from the source. A photovoltaic cell gets power to...

The standard basics of electricity are detailed in this clear-cut collection of slides. Straightforward explanations are offered for static electricity, series and parallel circuits, conductors, insulators, and resistance. Some animation...

Wow! Colorful and simple, these 160 slides introduce the various forms of energy, along with a relevant image. Some of the images are animations, which help beginning physical scientists to visualize the flow of electrons or energy! This...

Students experience how to construct a simple electromagnet based motor. In groups they explore what a component is and construct a circuit that can rotate the orientation of the magnet by turning the switch on and off. Electromagnetic...

Step-by-step illustrated instructions show how to build a simple electric motor using everyday materials to make a wire coil spin. An explanation of the science involved is given at the end, as well as tips on troubleshooting any...

Fifth graders find examples of magnets in or around their homes and make a list. They discover that some motors use magnets and make a simple motor using magnets, a battery and copper wire. They add to their magnet list.

Energize a shared reading of the Magic School Bus and the Electric Field Trip with this collection of supplemental materials. Whether your looking for discussion questions, reading comprehension worksheets, or writing prompts,...

Students examine the various properties of magnets, explain how a compass works and make an electromagnet. They also experiment with magnetic lines-of-force using paper and iron filings.