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Using indirect observational methods, learners distinguish between charged and uncharged objects. This lesson uses magnetic marbles to represent charged particles and iron filings to represent a method of detecting "charged" particles. Use this activity to explain how particle physicists detect and study super small, subatomic particles.
- Under 5 minutes
- 45 to 60 minutes
- $5 - $10 per group of students
- Ages 8 - 14
- Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Magnetic marbles
- Nonmagnetic marbles
- Iron filings (A cheap source of iron filings are soapless steel wool scrubbing pads, wear gloves when cutting these up.)
- Two stiff surfaces (nonmetallic) about the size of a piece of paper (8.5x11) or larger that can support iron filings and not impede marbles rolling beneath (e.g. cardboard, foam display board, masonite/white board)
- 6 stacks of pennies (14 pennies high) or any objects (2 cm high) to support the stiff surface high enough to allow marbles to roll beneath unimpeded
- Invisible Investigations Student Worksheet
Subjects
-
Mathematics
-
Data Analysis and Probability
- Data Analysis
- Data Collection
-
Data Analysis and Probability
-
Physical Sciences
-
Electricity and Magnetism
- Electric Charges and Currents
- Electromagnetic Fields
- Electric Circuits
-
Structure and Properties of Matter
- Atomic Structure
- Elementary Particles and Nuclear Physics
-
Electricity and Magnetism
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
- Gathering Data
- Formulating Explanations
- Communicating Results
-
The Scientific Process
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Components that are part of this resource:
Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- All rights reserved, University of Kansas, 2006
Funding Sources:
- University of Kansas
- National Science Foundation, EPS-0236913
- State of Kansas through the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation
- National Science Foundation, EPP-0354836
- National Science Foundation, EPS-90903806
- Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation