Activity 2 | Electromagnet (Adapted from PhET Colorado²)

Run the PhET sim, "Faraday's Electromagnetic Lab." Maximize the window. Click the onscreen Electromagnet tab. Arrange the on-screen elements so that the top of the battery is along the second or third row of the compass grid. Notice that the magnetic field around the coil is very similar to the magnetic field around the bar magnet.

There is no "Strength %" slider on the control panel. How can you change the strength of the electromagnet? In real life, is it easier to change the strength of a bar magnet or an electromagnet?

a. There is no "Strength %" slider on the control panel. How can you change the strength of the electromagnet? In real life, is it easier to change the strength of a bar magnet or an electromagnet?

b. There is no "Flip Polarity" button on the control panel. How can you reverse the polarity of the electromagnet?

c. In the control panel, switch the Current Source from the battery (DC: direct current) to an oscillator (AC: alternating current). If necessary, move the electromagnet so that you can see the entire oscillator. What does the vertical slider on the AC source do? What does the horizontal slider on the AC source do?

d. What should the sliders be set to in order to get a "dance party" display? Can you make the dance party even more annoying using the Options menu? Describe