Fields

New Download Options:

• With Video includes our full video
  (385 MB, M4V file)
• With YouTube Video Link includes a link to the same video on YouTube

This resource has hands-on classroom activities on the fundamental topic of fields. It covers electric, magnetic, and gravitational fields. 

Design Challenge: Using Fields to Go Places 

Students use their knowledge of electric and magnetic fields to design and build their own model of a magnetic propulsion system with simple materials. 

Making Electric Fields Real 

Students model electric fields with stretchy fabric. By pulling the fabric in different ways, they model attraction and repulsion. Students roll marbles on the fabric to map out the electric field. 

What Is a Field? 

Students move two magnets near each other to explore the properties of fields. The activity guides them to discover that fields store energy and have momentum. 

Maxwell’s Equations 

Students are guided through an analysis of magnetic and electric fields, leading to a conceptual understanding of Maxwell’'s equations. 

Auroras and Interacting Fields 

Students use magnets and iron filings in jars to explore the properties of magnetic fields. They also use a paper cylinder and a ribbon to model the paths of charged particles in Earth’s magnetic fields. Then they modify this activity by using a cone in place of the cylinder. These activities lead to a model of auroras. 

Explaining Mercury’s Orbit 

Students use a paper model of curved space to explain why Mercury’s orbit precesses at the rate that it does. They also study how general relativity fills in the gaps of Newton’s model of gravity, which fails to explain all of Mercury’s precession. 

Curriculum Connections (CDN & NGSS)