How does an electric current affect a magnet?

How does an electric current affect a magnet?

Open Ended

Make a Prediction

Can an electric current move a magnet?

You will need:

• a compass

• copper wire

• batteries

• battery folder

Test Your Prediction

• Wrap fine wire around a compass in several loops.

• Turn the compass so its needle stays lined up with the coils of wire.

• Wrap fine wire around a compass in several loops.

Open Ended

Observe

Connect the wire ends to the battery to make a circuit. What change do you notice in the compass?

Open Ended

Experiment

Open and close the circuit. What does the compass needle do?

Open Ended

Infer

What happened to the compass needle when electric current was lowing? Why did this happen?

Open Ended

Infer

Did you detect a magnetic field around the wire when there was

no current?

Open Ended

Explore More

Reverse the wires on the battery. What happens? Explain the result.

Open Ended

Inquiry

Walk around the house and note places and objects

that seem to affect the compass needle. List them below.