Electromagnetism - R2P

This resource provides a lesson plan showing how to use computer modelling to teach about induced potential. The approach used in the lesson is based on education research which is summarised in a separate research summary document.

The lesson suggests a sequence of activities and key questions to ask to demonstrate how a potential difference can be induced when an electrical conductor moves relative to a magnetic field. This includes a demonstration of electromagnetic braking by using a copper pipe and cylindrical rare Earth magnet, the use of a computer simulation and a series of tasks where pupils have to apply their understanding of induction in different contexts.

By the end of the lesson pupils should be able to:

• describe how to induce a potential difference and current in a circuit
• explain how to increase an induced potential difference and current
• explain how to change the direction of an induced potential difference and current
• suggest uses for electrical induction and apply the principles in different contexts.

The research summary suggests that computer simulations can help pupils visualise magnetic field patterns and their effects and supports pupils to integrate scientific ideas into frameworks of their existing knowledge. The use of computer simulations also motivates students to actively engage with the necessary content to improve their understanding.

This resource is part of a collection of research informed secondary science lesson plans produced as part of the Research-2-Practice (R2P) project undertaken by research teams at the University of Roehampton, University of Lincoln, York St John University and KYRA research school, between 2020 and 2021, which was funded by Wellcome.

The overall aim of the project was to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in science by giving time-pressed teachers quick and easy access to relevant research to inform their practice and provide exemplar lesson plans to show how the research could be used in the classroom. More resources can be found here.