Electromagnetic fields

force on a straight wire and force on a moving charge in a uniform field
flux and electromagnetic induction: concept and definition
Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws
emf equals rate of change of magnetic flux linkage

Within this list you will find a variety of different resources to help construct teaching sequences for the topic of electromagnetism. Students will have come across some of the ideas at GCSE, but there is an increased quantitative aspect to this topic at A level and it is important that students are familiar with the idea of the electromagnetic fields.

In particular this list is useful to those looking for practical ideas and opportunities that allow students to explore the topic of electromagnetism for themselves. There are also links to contexts to teach electromagnetism in. It is useful if students realise the Earth is a magnetic field. There can therefore be natural phenomena as a result of this, such as the aurora, and some exam questions may ask about phenomena like the eddie currents in aeroplane wings.

Whilst this list provides a source of information and ideas for experimental work, it is important to note that recommendations can date very quickly. Do NOT follow suggestions which conflict with current advice from CLEAPSS or recent safety guides. eLibrary users are responsible for ensuring that any activity, including practical work, which they carry out is consistent with current regulations related to Health and Safety and that they carry an appropriate risk assessment. Further information is provided in our Health and Safety guidance.

Quality AssuredCategory:SciencePublisher:Institute of Physics (IOP)

This item from the Teaching Advancing Physics resources provides links to a number of lessons available to teach electromagnetism.

The topics covered are:

Episode 411: Describing magnetic fields

Episode 412: Force on a conductor in a magnetic field

Episode 413: Force on a charged particle (F = Bqv)

Episode 414: Electromagnetic induction, flux and flux linkage

Episode 415: Electric motors

Episode 416: Generators and transformers

The lessons contain practical ideas and suggestions, questions to ask, explanations and analogies. They also contain useful diagrams to aid explanations and problem sheets with worked examples.

This resource is useful to anyone building a scheme of work, or those not confident in teaching the electromagnetism topics. However, it is also useful for experienced practitioners looking for alternative ways to explain a topic, additional problems for students to answer or other practical ideas.

The astronaut Richard Garriott demonstrates how magnets behave on the International Space Station, the properties of magnets and how compass needles line up with the Earth's magnetic field.

This resource would be a good introduction or starter activity, allowing students to make predictions about the behvaiour of magnetism in space and provide a discussion point to help review the basic knowledge of magnets that students should have before starting post-16 magnetism topics.

The context of it being filmed in space by an austronaut makes it engaging and reminds students about the Earth's magnetic field, which will feature in many questions and problems students will have to answer during their studies and examinations.

Quality AssuredCategory:SciencePublisher:Catalyst

This is a useful resource for those wanting to give another context to magnetic fields and how they interact with charged particles. The article brings together a range of physics concepts and may be useful to support cross-topic thinking ready for terminal and summary examination papers.

It could be used to introduce the topic of electromagnetism, or it could be used as part of revision, by asking students to use the context to write examination style questions to test their classmates.

The article would be useful to use with those students who need to continue to develop their vocabulary, such as EAL students, who could underline and add unfamiliar language to vocabulary lists, or for use with those students who find space an engaging context to learn physics.

This item is a link to the Veritasium YouTube channel from Derek Muller.

In the video Derek is shown a demonstration of a large plate floating above a strong electromagnet and goes to the Royal Institute to find out about Faraday's orginal experiment. Derek Muller has a great presentation style and enthusiasm, which should engage students.

The video also shows electromagnetic phenomena in a way not easy to replicate in the classroom. He explains electromagnetic induction well.

The item could be used as part of flipped learning, so students can learn about the topic before the lesson and answer a series of questions about it. It could also be used as stimulus material to allow students to write their own questions about the topic in the context of what they have seen.

Quality AssuredCategory:SciencePublisher:Institute of Physics (IOP)

Taken from the Institute of Physics lecture series, this resource concentrates on the context of magnetic resonance imaging. Included are teacher notes, a presentation and a student activity.

The activity makes a link between electromagnetism and electromagnetic radiation, which may be useful to review when revising for terminal examinations. The activity sheet itself is not very challenging, but it could be used at the start of the topic while revising what students have learned at GCSE.

Practical Physics created by the Institute of Physics and Nuffield Foundation is a collection of experiments that demonstrate a wide range of physical concepts and ideas. Amongst the practicals are a series on electromagnetism with a set of guidance notes.

This webpage provides a list of electromagnetism related topics and links to pages with notes and useful diagrams. For example this page links to a description of the 'force on a current in a magnetic field', where a description can be found, but also useful diagrams showing the magnetic field and left hand rule.

The site is useful for teachers looking for ways to succinctly describe the topics involved in electromagnetism or for students looking for alternative explanations.

It also includes problem sheets on the topic of electromagnetism. Unfortunately it is necessary to buy the worked solutions.

Quality AssuredCategory:SciencePublisher:StoryCog

This three minute video shows how to demonstrate electromagnetic induction using spinning magnets, a wire coil and a lamp.

Spinning the magnets past the coil produces an electric current and lights the lamp.

This resource not only provides an idea for a useful piece of equipment, but also Alom Shaha describes the principles of electromagnetic induction and how to use the bulb to qualitiatively see the impact of changing the factors that affect the induced voltage. It would be particularly useful for creative technicians.

Quality AssuredCategory:SciencePublisher:National STEM Learning Centre and Network

This is a useful short video showing how to make a very simple electric motor. It can be used to introduce the idea that a current-carrying wire will experience a force in a magnetic field. The demonstration is simple, and the motor easier to construct than other traditional kits. This demonstration can be used to introduce the idea of flemming's left hand rule as students who may not have come across this concept before.

An alternative method is also suggested.

Students can use the virtual bar magnet and coils in this simulation to learn about Faraday's law.

In this video Paul Anderson shows how you can use the simulation in class:

The simulation can be used to encourage students to make predictions. It allows students to identify the materials required to produce electromagnetic induction. It is also possible to change between a bulb and voltmeter to compare characterists of both to measure output.