For this investigation, is it the Battery or the Coils of Wire carrying a current that are behaving like a magnet? (Hint: Use the magnetic field and compass to help you decide.)
To determine whether it is the battery or the coils of wire carrying a current that are behaving like a magnet, you can use the magnetic field and compass as a tool for observation.
Here's a step-by-step approach:
1. Set up the experiment by connecting the coils of wire to the battery so that current flows through the wire.
2. Place a compass near the coils of wire and observe its behavior. If the compass needle moves or aligns itself with the wire, it suggests that the wire is producing a magnetic field and behaving like a magnet.
3. Repeat the experiment, but this time disconnect the coils of wire from the battery and instead place the compass near the battery. Observe the compass needle to see if it responds in any way.
4. Analyze the results. If the compass needle only responds when placed near the coils of wire with current flowing through it, it indicates that the wire is creating a magnetic field and behaving like a magnet. On the other hand, if the compass needle does not respond when near the battery, it suggests that the battery is not creating a magnetic field.
5. Based on the observations, it can be concluded that the coils of wire carrying a current are behaving like a magnet, while the battery itself is not.
In summary, the magnetic field and compass can be used to observe the behavior of the coils of wire and battery when current is flowing. By conducting the experiment and analyzing the compass needle's response, it can be determined that the coils of wire carrying a current are behaving like a magnet.