ScienzFair™ Ideas
ELECTRICITY and MAGNETISM
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Static Electricity

•     Is it possible to show electrostatic charges with a homemade electroscope?
•     Demonstrate how to build and use a homemade ELECTROSCOPE.
•     A very simplified homemade ELECTROSCOPE.  

•     Research electrostatic charges, then build and demonstrate a charge detector.
•     Can the polarity of different static electric charges be determined with a
        simple homemade charge detector?

•     Research large electrostatic charges, then build and demonstrate the effects
        produced with a Van de Graaf generator.  

•     Can simple friction build up enough charge to provide an electric shock?
•     Research and explain how a Leyden Jar stores and electric charge.

•     What factors affect the distance at which an electrometer will work?  

•     Does temperature affect the output of a photo-electric cell?

•     How is the conductivity of distilled water affected when substances such as
        salt, sugar, vinegar or baking soda are added?

Light Bulbs
•     Which light bulb is the best value for the money?        •     Make your own basic light bulb, with a vacuum if possible, and test different
        filament materials to determine which is best.

Batteries

•     Does temperature affect the output voltage or current of a dry cell battery?
•     Does a dry cell battery last longer if it is used continuously or if it is turned
        on and off periodically?
•     Which dry cell battery lasts the longest when used continuously?
•     Demonstrate how to use common fruits and vegetables as batteries.

•     Demonstrate how to make and use a vinegar battery.

•    Demonstrate how to make and use a potato battery.  

•     Under what different conditions can the human body act as a battery?

•     Make a homemade dry cell to experiment with.

Solar Cells

•     Does the angle of incident light affect the amount of electricity in a solar cell?

•     What is the affect of light concentration on the output of solar cells?

•     Build a homemade photoelectric cell to experiment with.

Miscellaneous  

•     Which metals make the best sources of thermoelectricity?

•     Build a "Jacobs Ladder" to demonstrate air ionization.

•     Demonstrate and explain how electricity can be used to split water into its
        hydrogen and oxygen components.  

•     Construct a crystal radio detector, explain its operation, and determine the
        different factors which affect how well it operates.

•     Which substances block radio waves the most?

•     Examine the factors which determine current flow in various configurations
        of resistive circuits such as series, parallel, and series-parallel.

•     Can an electronic device automatic sort objects by color?

Magnetism

•     What factors determine the strength of an electromagnet? 

•     Does the number of turns of wire in an electromagnet affect its strength?

•     Can we use magnetism to levitate and move a train?

•     Here's a more complicated magnetically levitated model train.

•     How does the strength of a magnetic field vary with distance from the magnet?

•     Can the earth's magnetic field be detected by a rapidly spinning coil of wire?

•     If a permanent magnet is placed opposite the earth's magnetic field, is there
        a point(s) in space where the permanent magnet cancels earth's field?

•     Demonstrate how electromagnets are used to create useful everyday products.

•     Demonstrate how electromagnetism can be used to create an electric motor.

•     Build a simple electric generator and test the factors affecting output.

•     Demonstrate the construction and operation of an electromagnetic crane.

•     Build a model generator which uses wind as the power source.

•     Build a small model showing how electricity can be generated from
        wave motion.

•     Can a basic compass be made from common household items?

•     Build and explain the operation of a model hydroelectric generator.

•     Demonstrate and explain how electricity can be generated from nothing more
        than a magnetic field and a coil of wire.

•     Build a model "rail gun" and show how such a device might be used to
        launch an orbiting space craft or satellite.

•     Research the history and technical operation of the telegraph system and
        construct a basic telegraph system capable of sending signals between rooms. 

•     Can telegraphs operate as wireless devices?

•     Demonstrate and explain how interupting an electrical cirucuit can cause
        vibrations that in turn produce sound.

•     Do certain radio wave frequencies or high voltage transmission lines pose
        health risks?

For more electricity and magnetism ideas see our Physical Science page HERE.

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