Purpose
Learning about science and the natural world helps to expand our understanding of the world God made for us.
Activity Suggestion
The electromagnetic force is one of the four fundamental forces of physics. (The other fundamental forces are gravity, the strong force, and the weak force.)
To understand how the electromagnetic force works, we can look at static electricity. Static electricity is an imbalanced electric charge on (or in) an object. This occurs when an object gains or loses enough electrons—usually through contact with another object—to give it a positive or negative charge.
To demonstrate how static electricity affects objects, try any of these activities:
- Find two disposable Styrofoam plates, one large and one small. Put the large plate facedown on a table. Rub the bottom of the small plate with a fuzzy cloth, such as a washcloth or piece of flannel. Then try to place the bottom of the small plate on top of the bottom of the large plate. The small plate will fly off the large plate. If you hold your hand over the small plate when you set it down on the bottom of the large plate, you can try to make the small plate levitate against your hand.
- Find a piece of PVC pipe that’s about two feet long. Rub it vigorously with a fuzzy cloth to give it a static charge. Then put an empty soda can on its side on a table. Without touching the can, use the PVC pipe to roll the can around. Does the pipe attract or repel the can?
- Turn on the kitchen sink just enough to have a very small, solid stream of water coming out. Use the same PVC pipe as before; again, rub it vigorously with a cloth. Bring the pipe near the stream of water to make the water bend toward the pipe.
- Find some plastic grocery bags and cut out round pieces about seven or eight inches in diameter. Using the same static-charged PVC pipe as before, can you make the plastic pieces float in the air?
In each case, discuss what is happening: (1) electrons get transferred from one object to another, and (2) the imbalanced charge causes attraction and repulsion. That’s static electricity in action! Can you think of any other ways to use static electricity?
If you don’t feel comfortable discussing scientific principles with your group, you may consider inviting a knowledgeable person, such as a science teacher, to talk to the youth.
Please adapt activities as necessary to ensure all individuals are able to participate, belong, and contribute.
Adaptation Ideas
Lightning is an amazing and powerful display of electromagnetic activity. As a group, learn about lightning and lightning safety.
- As a group, visit a power plant or electrical relay station with a person who works there. Ask the person to explain how electricity is generated and how it gets sent to your home.
- Learn how to make an electromagnet with a nail, a length of wire, and a battery. What determines the strength of the magnet? What’s the heaviest thing the magnet can pick up?
Discussion
Encourage youth to talk about how what they are learning can help them and others grow closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Discussions can take place before, during, or after the activity and should last just a few minutes. You could ask questions like the following:
- What do you like about studying science? What did you learn during this activity that you didn’t know before?
- Why does the Lord want us to learn and get an education? (See Doctrine and Covenants 88:78-80.)
- What does it mean to learn “by study and also by faith”? (See Doctrine and Covenants 88:118.)
Related Resources
- Mary N. Cook, “Seek Learning” (video), ChurchofJesusChrist.org