Alaska Science
Key Element A5

Performance Standard Level 4, Ages 15–18

Students explain how gravity and electromagnetic forces operate according to simple principles and how they can be used in applications such as mineral resource prospecting, satellites, space travel and to affect natural phenomena such as the aurora.

Sample Assessment Ideas

• Students explain how microwaves, radio waves, and x-rays are related and identify technologies which utilize them in everyday applications.

• Students use observations on the Internet or collect data related to sunspot activity, the occurrence of electromagnetic disturbances on Earth, aurora displays, NASA precautionary plans, and communications blackouts; create a report that explains how electromagnetism affects life on Earth. .

Standards Cross-References
( Alaska Department of Education & Early Development Standards)

National Science Education Standards

Gravitation is a universal force that each mass exerts on any other mass. The strength of the gravitational attractive force between two masses is proportional to the masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. (Page 180)

The electric force is a universal force that exists between any two charged objects. Opposite charges attract while like charges repel. The strength of the force is proportional to the charges, and, as with gravitation, inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. (Page 180)

Between any two charged particles, electric force is vastly greater than the gravitational force. Most observable forces such as those exerted by a coiled spring or friction may be traced to electric forces acting between atoms and molecules. (Page 180)

Electricity and magnetism are two aspects of a single electromagnetic force. Moving electric charges produce magnetic forces, and moving magnets produce electric forces. These effects help students to understand electric motors and generators. (Page 180)

Electromagnetic waves result when a charged object is accelerated or decelerated. Electromagnetic waves include radio waves (the longest wavelength), microwaves, infrared radiation (radiant heat), visible light, ultraviolet radiation, x-rays, and gamma rays. The energy of electromagnetic waves is carried in packets whose magnitude is inversely proportional to the wavelength. (Page 180)

In some materials, such as metals, electrons flow easily, whereas in insulating materials such as glass they can hardly flow at all. Semiconducting materials have intermediate behavior. At low temperatures some materials become superconductors and offer no resistance to the flow of electrons. (Page 181)

Benchmarks

Accelerating electric charges produce electromagnetic waves around them. A great variety of radiations are electromagnetic waves, radio waves, microwaves, radiant heat, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, x-rays, and gamma rays. These wavelengths vary from radio waves, the longest, to gamma waves, the shortest. In empty space, all electromagnetic waves move at the same speed—the “speed of light.” (Page 92)

Gravitational force is an attraction between masses. The strength of the force is proportional to the masses and weakens rapidly with increasing distance between them. (Page 96)

Electromagnetic forces acting within and between atoms are vastly stronger than the gravitational forces acting between the atoms. At the atomic level, electric forces between oppositely charged electrons and protons hold atoms and molecules together and thus are involved in all chemical reactions. On a larger scale, these forces hold solid and liquid materials together and act between objects when they are in contact—as in sticking or sliding friction. (Page 96)

There are two kinds or charges—positive and negative. Like charges repel one another, opposite charges attract. In materials, there are almost exactly equal proportions of positive and negative charges, making the materials as a whole electrically neutral. Negative charges, being associated with electrons, are far more mobile in materials than positive charges are. A very small excess of negative charges in a material produces noticeable electric forces. (Page 96)

Different kinds of materials respond differently to electric forces. In conducting materials such as metals, electric charges flow easily, whereas in insulating materials such as glass, they can move hardly at all. At very low temperatures, some materials become superconductors and offer no resistance to the flow of current. In between these extremes, semiconducting materials differ greatly in how well they conduct, depending on their exact composition. (Page 97)

Magnetic forces are very closely related to electric forces and can be thought of as different aspects of a single electromagnetic force. Moving electric charges produce magnetic forces and moving magnets produce electric forces. The interplay of electric and magnetic forces is the basis for electric motors, generators, and many other modern technologies, including the production of electromagnetic waves. (Page 97)

The forces that hold the nucleus of an atom together are much stronger than the electromagnetic force. That is why such great amounts of energy are released from the nuclear reactions in the sun and other stars. (Page 97)