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published by the Exploratorium
This activity created by the Exploratorium Museum demonstrates the magnetic field induced by a current-carrying wire.  A group of compasses are arranged around a wire. An electric current passing through the wire creates a magnetic field stronger than the earth's field (in the region close to the wire). The Exploratorium "Snacks" are miniature versions of popular exhibits at the museum that can be easily set up or performed in school or home settings. Materials needed, assembly, an explanation of the physics that occurs and a description of the right-hand rule are also provided.
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Electricity & Magnetism
- Magnetic Fields and Forces
= Force on Wires
- High School
- Middle School
- Informal Education
- Instructional Material
= Activity
= Laboratory
Appropriate Courses Categories Ratings
- Physical Science
- Physics First
- Conceptual Physics
- Algebra-based Physics
- Activity
- Laboratory
- New teachers
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Format:
text/html
Access Rights:
Free access
Restriction:
© 2006 Exploratorium
Keywords:
compass, magnetic field line, magnetic force, magnetism activity, magnetism experiment, magnetism lab, right-hand rule
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created June 13, 2006 by Ann Deml
Record Updated:
August 2, 2016 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update
when Cataloged:
September 14, 2007
Other Collections:

AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)

4. The Physical Setting

4G. Forces of Nature
  • 6-8: 4G/M3. Electric currents and magnets can exert a force on each other.

AAAS Benchmark Alignments (1993 Version)

4. THE PHYSICAL SETTING

F. Motion
  • 4F (9-12) #3.  Accelerating electric charges produce electromagnetic waves around them. A great variety of radiations are electromagnetic waves: radio waves, microwaves, radiant heat, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, x rays, and gamma rays. These wavelengths vary from radio waves, the longest, to gamma rays, the shortest. In empty space, all electromagnetic waves move at the same speed?the "speed of light."
G. Forces of Nature
  • 4G (9-12) #5.  Magnetic forces are very closely related to electric forces and can be thought of as different aspects of a single electromagnetic force. Moving electric charges produce magnetic forces and moving magnets produce electric forces. The interplay of electric and magnetic forces is the basis for electric motors, generators, and many other modern technologies, including the production of electromagnetic waves.
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!

Record Link
AIP Format
(Exploratorium, San Francisco, 2006), WWW Document, (https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/circles-of-magnetism).
AJP/PRST-PER
Exploratorium: Snacks About Magnetism - Circles of Magnetism I (Exploratorium, San Francisco, 2006), <https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/circles-of-magnetism>.
APA Format
Exploratorium: Snacks About Magnetism - Circles of Magnetism I. (2007, September 14). Retrieved December 7, 2024, from Exploratorium: https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/circles-of-magnetism
Chicago Format
Exploratorium. Exploratorium: Snacks About Magnetism - Circles of Magnetism I. San Francisco: Exploratorium, September 14, 2007. https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/circles-of-magnetism (accessed 7 December 2024).
MLA Format
Exploratorium: Snacks About Magnetism - Circles of Magnetism I. San Francisco: Exploratorium, 2006. 14 Sep. 2007. 7 Dec. 2024 <https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/circles-of-magnetism>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{ Title = {Exploratorium: Snacks About Magnetism - Circles of Magnetism I}, Publisher = {Exploratorium}, Volume = {2024}, Number = {7 December 2024}, Month = {September 14, 2007}, Year = {2006} }
Refer Export Format

%T Exploratorium: Snacks About Magnetism - Circles of Magnetism I %D September 14, 2007 %I Exploratorium %C San Francisco %U https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/circles-of-magnetism %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source %D September 14, 2007 %T Exploratorium: Snacks About Magnetism - Circles of Magnetism I %I Exploratorium %V 2024 %N 7 December 2024 %8 September 14, 2007 %9 text/html %U https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/circles-of-magnetism


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