Science/Foss Unit
Study Guide
Magnetism and Electricity
4th Grade
Rutherford Elementary
School
Investigation 1
The Force
Vocabulary Terms
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Force – A push or a pull
Magnet - An object that sticks to iron
Magnetism – A specific kind of force. A property of certain kinds of
materials that causes them to attract iron and steel.
Temporary magnet –Behaves like a magnet when it is touching a permanent
magnet.
Induced magnet -The influence of a permanent magnet’s magnetic field on a
piece of iron, which make the iron act like a magnet.
Graph – Organizes data visually to show a relationship between two things.
Prediction – An educated guess based on data or previous experience
Intersection - Two lines and the point at which they cross.
Attract – Pull towards one another.
Repel – Push away.
Content/ Concepts Learned
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Magnets stick to iron.
Two magnets can attract and repel.
Magnetism can be induced only in iron or steel ( and a few other metals)
The magnetic force acts through space and most materials.
The magnetic force of attraction between two magnets decreases with
distance.
The greater of the distance between two magnets, the weaker the force of
attraction.
Investigation 2
Making Connections
Vocabulary Terms
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D-cell – The source of electricity
Batter – More than one cell (battery and D-cell used interchangeably)
Electricity source - Provides the energy to light the bulb.
Electricity receiver –A component that uses the electricity from the source
to make something happen.
Circuit – A pathway for the flow of electricity.
Filament – A bulb is the part that gets hot and produces light
Component – D-cell, bulbs, and wires.
Circuit base – Holds many components needed to build a circuit.
Fahnstock clip – A metal clip that connects wires in a circuit.
Switch – A device used to open and close circuits.
Open circuit – An incomplete circuit through which electricity flows.
Schematic diagram – A way to represent a circuit on a piece of paper.
Conductor – A substance, commonly a metal such as copper and aluminum
through which electricity will flow.
Insulator – A material that prevents the flow of electricity (plastic, rubber,
glass or air).
Content/ Concepts Learned
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D-cell is a source of electric energy.
A bulb is an energy receiver that produces light
To make a complete circuit, electricity must travel in a circle from one end
of the battery to the other.
A motor is an energy receiver that produces motion.
A switch is a device that opens and closes a circuit.
Schematic diagrams represent circuits.
Investigation 3
Advanced Connections
Vocabulary Terms
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Series circuit – A circuit with only one pathway of current flow.
Parallel circuit – Splits into two or more pathways before coming together at
the battery.
Content/Concepts Learned
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A circuit with only one pathway for current flow is a series circuit.
Components in a series circuit “share” the electric energy.
Cells in a series must be oriented in the same direction.
Components in a parallel circuit each have a direct pathway to the energy
source.
A single D-cell can run many components when they are connected in
parallel.
Investigation 4
Current Attraction
Vocabulary Terms
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Electromagnet – A coil of wire, usually wound around a core of
iron and steel, which produces a magnetic field when electricity
flows though the wire.
Core – The material around which a coil is wound.
Coil – Wire wound repeatedly around a central core.
Content/Concepts Learned
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A magnet can be made by winding an insulated wire around an iron
core and running current through the wire.
The magnetism produced by an electromagnet can be turned on
and off.
The more winds on the core of an electromagnet the stronger the
magnetism.
Tighter coils produce a stronger electromagnet.
All the coils need to wound in the same direction.
A D-cell added in series makes a stronger electromagnet; added in
parallel, it does not strengthen the electromagnet.
Thicker wires make a stronger electromagnet.
Investigation 5
Click It
Vocabulary Terms
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Technology – Applies the results of scientific research.
Telegraph – A device for sending coded messages by signals produced by
closing and
opening an electric circuit.
Key – A switch that completes the circuit in a telegraph system.
Gap – The space between the steel strip and the electromagnet.
Code – A set of signals that represents letters or words for sending messages.
Long-distance – refers to something that is far away.
Content/Concepts Learned
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Technology uses science to solve problems.
A telegraph is an electric communication device
The clicks produced by the telegraph can be made into a code.
A code is a symbolic system used for communication.
To connect two telegraphs for two-way communication, you have to make
two complete circuits.
Additional Notes
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