ALEX Learning Activity Resources

   View Standards     Standard(s): [SC2015] PS8 (8) 12 :

12 ) Construct an argument from evidence explaining that fields exist between objects exerting forces on each other (e.g., interactions of magnets, electrically charged strips of tape, electrically charged pith balls, gravitational pull of the moon creating tides) even when the objects are not in contact.

This before activity can be used with a unit on forces, specifically electrical fields. The students will watch a demonstration by the teacher using a balloon and small pieces of paper. The teacher will tear small pieces of paper and place them in a loose pile so that the students may see. Have one student volunteer to come up to the front of the room and rub the balloon on his or her hair to collect electrons and make the balloon negatively charged. The students will make predictions, observations, and provide explanations during the demonstration on the jumping paper document. The teacher may choose to lead a class discussion and allow the students to make explanations for what they observed.

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX  Resource Development Summit.