Target Audience:
11th and 12th grade Physics course
Objectives:
Students Will Be Able To:
• Explain the parts of the Hoover Dam generator and their significance.
• Analyze the generator using the Right/Left hand rule and content area vocabulary.
• Demonstrate understanding through a pop quiz.
Standards Assessed:
New York State Standards in Physics
4.1 Observe and describe transmission of various forms of energy.
xv. map the magnetic field of a permanent magnet, indicating the direction of the field between
the N (north-seeking) and S (south-seeking) poles
4.1j Energy may be stored in electric* or magnetic fields. This energy may be transferred
through conductors or space and may be converted to other forms of energy.
4.1k Moving electric charges produce magnetic fields. The relative motion between a conductor
and a magnetic field may produce a potential difference in the conductor.
5.1 Students can explain and predict different patterns of motion of objects (e.g., linear and uniform
circular motion, velocity and acceleration, momentum and inertia).
5.1t Gravitational forces are only attractive, whereas electrical and magnetic forces can be
attractive or repulsive.
Misconception(s) Addressed:
• Magnetic fields behave the same as • Magnetic field lines start at one pole
electric fields and end at the other.
• North and south magnetic poles are • Poles can be isolated.
the same as positive and negative • Flux is the same as field lines.
charges. • Flux is actually the flow of the
Becky McCoy
Aim: To illustrate the relationship between magnetism and electricity through the Hoover Dam.
Necessary Preparation:
COPIES
• Pop Quiz
MATERIALS
• Computer and Projector
SET UP
• Have computer and projector set up with Hoover Dam pictures and video.
Becky McCoy
Lesson Plan
Aim: To illustrate the relationship between magnetism and electricity through the Hoover Dam.
PART II: Quick Write – list everything you know about magnetism!
Activity:
Materials:
• Computer and projector
Procedure:
Area Percentage
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California 28.5393%
State of Nevada 23.3706%
State of Arizona 18.9527%
Los Angeles, California 15.4229%
Southern California Edison Company 5.5377%
Boulder City, Nevada 1.7672%
Glendale, California 1.5874%
Pasadena, California 1.3629%
Anaheim, California 1.1487%
Riverside, California 0.8615%
Vernon, California 0.6185%
Burbank, California 0.5876%
Azusa, California 0.1104%
Colton, California 0.0884%
Banning, California 0.0442%
Becky McCoy
Water Turbine Shaft Rotor Pole Piece Stator Stator Coils Electricity
Becky McCoy
At this point, for summary purposes, it would be useful to have students draw and label each part of the
generator with the types of energy transfer and interactions that are occurring to assess whether or not they
understand the process involved. Students should also use the right hand rule to show which way the magnets
are spinning and which direction the current will flow.
Allow students to share their summaries and current events with the table.
Hoover Dam.
• Share ideas out loud in order to compile one long list to have a scavenger hunt for the field trip.
PART II: See attachment.
Extension Activity:
Find a different Hoover Dam video to show.
Assessment:
Formative:
• Student discussions
• Student questions and comments
• Student drawings, labels, and use of right/left hand rule
Summative:
• Quiz
Resources:
• “New Hoover Dam”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7_rzojvKdE
• Hoover Dam Wikipedia page
POP Quiz!
Use the Right or Left Hand Rule to answer the following questions:
1. The current is traveling through the wire as drawn. Which direction does the magnetic field face behind the
wire?
3. Compare and contrast what happens when two north ends of a magnet come near each other and when two
opposite poles are near each other.
4. Extra Credit (write on the back): State two pieces of the Hoover Dam generator and explain their purposes.