El Fin

The first thing we hopped into with this unit (Unit 7) was magnets and magnetism.

Magnetism is pretty simple, the source of all magnetism is moving charges.

but it can still seem a bit abstract, let's use an example like... a paperclip!

But not just any paperclip, we want to make this paperclip magnetized. To do this we must first recognize clusters of atoms, known as DOMAINS. In your everyday paperclip the domains are unaligned, turning in different directions.

However, if you bring in another player, A MAGNET for example, these domains can be tamed. The magnet has a magnetic field. If we bring the paperclip close to the magnet the domains of the paperclip will align with the magnetic field of the magnet. The paper clip then has a north and south pole. The north pole of the paperclip will stick to the south pole of the magnet. Thus, they attract one another, and the paperclip itself is a magnet.

Wait, wait, wait, hold the phone. Like poles repel and opposite poles attract? How is that possible?

Magnets have both a north and a south pole. The magnetic field in a magnet runs down to the north pole, up, around, and down through the south pole. If you have a south pole of one magnet and the south pole of another magnet, they will repel each other. Like poles repel  because they are both pulling in. 

Then we rode our electron train all the way to Electromagnetic Induction.

Electromagnetic induction occurs when a magnet is moved through or over a coil of wire. This movement changes the magnetic field of the loop of wire, which, in turn,  induces a current.

So why exactly do we care about some current?

Well because it's how our credit cards work or course! And we all need those cute new shoes. In the credit card machine, there is a loop of wire. When the card, which has a strip of magnets, moves over the wire, it changes the magnetic field and induces a current. This current acts as a signal and tells the computer the information on your card. 

Electromagnetic induction also controls stop lights, metal detectors, and helps work your electric guitar.

KEEP ROCKING PHYSICISTS 

Then we rocked even harder. We road all the way into MOTORS!

By attaching two paperclips to a battery using a rubber-band you can create the base. You then attach a magnet to the top of the battery (get ready). Then coil some copper wire and (be) extra careful to not lose any limbs, shave off the tops of the sides of the wire so the current can travel. Then carefully place the coil in the paper clips and let it spin.

VOILA! You have yourself a motor. BUT WAIT. SERIOUSLY. How is this possible?

The battery produced electrons that flowed through the copper wire, which, in turn, reacted to the magnetic field surrounding the magnet

The paper clips acted as conductors and kept the coiled wire supported

The motor turned because the current carrying wire felt a force from the magnetic field

Oh hey look... it's me..

Transformers were the final thing we learned about. Transformers step-up or step-down voltage. They have a primary and secondary coil (Or a first and a second for those of us who don't like big words). In the primary and secondary coils the more loops of wire you have the more voltage is induced.  

But transformers are picky and only use AC current because without a change in the magnetic field, no voltage will be induced.




 :)   :)   :)

Believe it or not, I really enjoyed this unit. I felt like I learned the most about how the world works, and the practical applications of Physics in this unit. The building of the motor and the field trips to see the coils of wire in front of stop lights really made this unit seem important and relevant. 

My effort, for the most part, was steady. I feel apart with this final blog post (sorry Mrs. Lawrence, sorry physics people of the world). But I assure you it wasn't for lack of enjoyment. My attitude towards Physics remains positive and I have been pleasantly surprised by how much I have come to enjoy the class. 

I still can't really believe this is our last unit, it feels like only yesterday I was hating science and trying to avoid taking the dreaded Physics class. This Unit Blog post was a shaky end to what I believe has become a solid year of learning and improvement. I am proud of what I have learned this year and hope you (yes even you readers who have no idea why I'm putting all of this on a blog) can see that!