7th Grade Science
Virtual Electromagnets
1. Go to the following website: http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/electromagnets/
2. Click “Instructions” and read the instructions for the game.
3. Click “Start Game” to begin the game. You will do the game five times. Each spin represents a
trial.
4. In the table below, write down the number of paper clips you need to pick up.
5. Next, write down the number of batteries and coils that were required to pick up the paper clips.
6. Last, indicate if you were successful for each trial.
Trial
Number of paper
clips to pick up
Number of
batteries required
Number of coils
required
Successful?
1
2
3
4
5
Analysis
1. Make two line graphs of the data from your table. On the first graph, put the independent variable
(number of batteries) on the x-axis and the dependent variable (number of paper clips) on the yaxis. On the second graph, put the independent variable (number of coils) on the x-axis and the
dependent variable (number of paper clips) on the y-axis. Don’t forget to give each graph a title.
7th Grade Science
Virtual Electromagnets
Conclusions:
1. List the three main things necessary to build an electromagnet.
2. Explain how the number of batteries and the number of coils of wire affect the strength of an
electromagnet.
3. Give two advantages of an electromagnet.
4. Give a disadvantage of an electromagnet.