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Light fantastic

Learning objectives

Students will explain an unusual physical phenomenon using secondary source material.

Try the activity

• Activity sheet
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• Teachers notes
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Curriculum link

11 - 14 (KS3)
energy and electricity QCA 9i - electricity can be made to flow by causing movement in an electrical generator; in energy transfers energy may go to waste
magnets and electromagnets QCA 8j - wires carrying an electric current produce a magnetic field; using electromagnets to generate electricity
14 - 16 (KS4)
electromagnetism; the national grid

Running the activity

Time: about 20 minutes as a follow-up to energy transfer or a whole lesson if students answer all the questions from visitors on page 3.

Starter activity: Tell students this is an artistic work. It features more than 1000 glass fluorescent tubes "planted" in the ground - not connected to any wires whatsoever. Ask students 'Why are they glowing?' - pupils can answer individually or in groups.

Page 1 is a drawing of FIELD. It can be projected or printed onto transparency.

Page 2 explains the phenomenon. It is presented as a dialogue between two investigators. It can be projected, printed onto transparency or photocopied for students.

Page 3 sets the task. Students are employed to explain FIELD to visitors; they have some awkward questions to answer! The questions from people A and C can be answered directly from page 2; the others require more thought (or, in the case of questioner E, further research).
Person B asks why a tube stops glowing when she stands next to it - the reason is that a person is a much better conductor than the fluorescent tube. Person D would expect to hear a noise from a generator - and see cables connected to the top of each fluorescent tube to form complete circuits - if the sculpture relied on underground cables. Some scientists agree with person E - that living near power lines can increase your risk of getting cancer. More information is available on the website given.

Plenary suggestion: Draw flow diagrams for the energy transfer in this phenomenon. - students say which possible causes they have decided to fund, and why. Class could vote on this.

Web links

News links

How Stuff Works

Electromagnets - good animated simple diagram.

How Stuff Works

Fluorescent tubes explained - teacher reference

Richard Box

Richard Box (the artist)s site, including a photo.
http://www.zen32868.zen.co.uk/r/press.htm

BBC News

A report of the exhibition, including a photo.

BBC Science News

A report on possible links between power lines and cancer

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