Electrical Current Creates A Magnetic Field (Answers)

Part 1

1. A magnetic field is created when the circuit is complete. Iron filings will react to this field by forming an oval pattern around the magnetic field. The filings will “stand up”.
2. The magnetic field is strongest nearest the nail when the circuit is complete. The magnetic field becomes weaker, the further away you move form the nail and the completed circuit

Part 2: Exploring the magnetic effect of various electrical currents 

1. As the power supply strengthens, the magnetic field becomes stronger.

Data Analysis

1. Increasing the power source will increase the electrical current flowing through the wire and therefore create a stronger magnetic field. 

Part 2

1. A solar storm or a coronal mass ejection can cause ill affects on board the space station. They can cause power surges or outages causing all electrical systems to be effected.
2. The astronauts would have to use solar power until power was restored. If the space station was not in sun light, technical support would have to make decisions to shut certain power sources down and maybe decrease other sources such as life support.

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Nailing Down Energy (Answers)

Students will need to plot their information using standard graph paper. From this graph, have them answer the question.

Students can now determine how the solar array panels on the Space Station need to be positioned towards the sun to provide adequate power to the Space Station. Discuss angles of the sun, solar array panels, and the Space Station itself. Students can draw pictures, diagrams, etc. to explain their thinking.

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Electrolysis (Answers)

Closure Answers for Part I

1. Have students observe and write down what they saw.
2. It may be more useful to the astronauts if an electrolyte is added to the water.

Data Analysis

When an electrolyte is added to water, it can conduct electricity. When electricity flows, chemical changes occur. In the example of the salt, the positive electrode, the anode, pulls the electrons from the chloride. This is called oxidation.

The negative electrode, the cathode, attracts the positively charged sodium to the negatively charged electron. (This is called reduction).

In affect, it splits the salt into its original elements Na and Cl.

Closure Answers for Part 2

Have students explore different electrolytes. Are they all liquid? (No, there are some solid electrolytes). See what students can find out.

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It’s Electric

1. The compass needle responds more as the electrical current becomes stronger.
2. The compass with the three wires attached to the D battery would have the strongest magnetic field as it has the most powerful electric current.