The
following labs and PowerPoints are intended to supplement lessons that
incorporate California Content Standards
from both Electricity/Magnetism and Earth Science. The study of Earth’s dynamics is an
intriguing context in which to learn about magnetism and its applications. After basic introduction to magnetism,
students are introduced to compasses and their relation to the Earth’s magnetic
field. This information serves as a
necessary foundation for understanding how Sea-Floor Spreading provides strong evidence
for the theory of Plate Tectonics.
Lab – Introduction to Magnetic Fields
Lab – Modeling Sea Floor Spreading
PowerPoint – Earth’s Magnetic Field
PowerPoint – Historical Introduction: Continental Drift
Theory
PowerPoint – Sea Floor Spreading
For
additional lesson ideas, activities, or enrichment readings applicable to this
unit, refer to the following resources:
w NOVA video: “Magnetic Storm”
w Exploratorium “Science Snacks”
on Magnetism
w Exploratorium WebQuest: “Auroras:
Paintings in the Sky”
5. Electric and magnetic phenomena are related and have many practical applications. As a basis for understanding this concept:
f. Students know magnetic materials and electric currents (moving electric charges) are sources of magnetic fields and are subject to forces arising from the magnetic fields of other sources.
g. Students know how to determine the direction of a magnetic field produced by a current flowing in a straight wire or in a coil.
i. Students know plasmas, the fourth state of matter, contain ions or free electrons or both and conduct electricity.
3. Plate tectonics operating over geologic
time has changed the patterns of land, sea, and mountains on Earth's surface.
As the basis for understanding this concept:
a. Students know features of the ocean
floor (magnetic patterns, age, and sea-floor topography) provide evidence of
plate tectonics.
1. Plate tectonics accounts for important
features of Earth's surface and major geologic events. As a basis for
understanding this concept:
a. Students know evidence of plate
tectonics is derived from the fit of the continents; the location of
earthquakes, volcanoes, and midocean ridges; and the distribution of fossils,
rock types, and ancient climatic zones.
b. Students know Earth is composed of
several layers: a cold, brittle lithosphere; a hot, convecting mantle; and a
dense, metallic core.
1. Electricity and magnetism are related
effects that have many useful applications in everyday life. As a basis for
understanding this concept:
b. Students know how to build a simple
compass and use it to detect magnetic effects, including Earth's magnetic
field.
c. Students know electric currents produce
magnetic fields and know how to build a simple electromagnet.
f. Students know that magnets have two
poles (north and south) and that like poles repel each other while unlike poles
attract each other.