ELECTROMAGNETISM

• Starter Activity


  • Draw a Circle – Label as The Earth – Identify Magnetic and Geographic North and South Pole
• Electromagnetism

  The study of the relationship between electricity and magnetism
• Oersted's accident

  When and how the idea of electromagnetism was discovered
• Learning Question

  What are the patterns of magnetic fields around a current carrying wire
• Unit 8 Global Context

  • Fairness and development
• Learning Objectives

  • Give an example of induced magnetism
  • Describe an experiment to demonstrate electromagnetic induction
  • Draw magnetic field lines around a current carrying wire
  • Describe the pattern of magnetic field due to currents in solenoids
• Electromagnetism

  Monday, January 22, 2024
• Key Words

  • induction
  • Magnetic field
  • solenoid
• ATL Skills

  • Subject specific – Explore magnetic field around a current carrying wire
• Unit 8 Key Concept

  • Relationships
• Unit 8 Related Concepts

  • Evidence, Interaction, Patterns
• Learner Profile


  • Risk-taker
• Exploring the practical applications of magnetism and electricity, while analyzing real-world patterns and evidence, allows us to identify interactions, predict relationships, and work towards fairness and sustainable development.
• Oersted's accident


  1. In 1820

  2. Hans Christian Oersted

  3. He was in the middle of a lecture and he was using a compass and an electric wire for demonstration

  4. He turns on the current that runs through the wire and he notices that the needle in the compass starts to move

  5. When he turns the current off, the needle moves back to where it was
• Electricity and magnetism


  The relationship between electricity and magnetism
• Investigation: Induced magnetism – Safety Precautions

  • Electrical Safety:
  • Ensure proper insulation of wires to prevent electrical shocks
  • Use a circuit breaker or switch to quickly disconnect power in case of an emergency
  • Fire Safety:
  • Keep flammable materials away from the experiment setup
  • Handling of Equipment:
  • Avoid touching the wire or components while the current is flowing
• Investigation: Induced magnetism – Method

  1. Setup:

  2. Secure a straight conductor, such as a copper wire

  3. Connect the wire to a power source to establish a constant current flow

  4. Positioning:

  5. Place a magnetic compass near the wire

  6. Note the initial direction of the compass needle

  7. Observation:

  8. Turn on the current and observe any changes in the compass needle's direction

  9. Record the angle or direction of deflection
• Deflection in the needle of the compass


  Indicates that a magnetic field is induced around the wire where current is flowing
• The magnetic field takes a circular pattern around the wire where current is flowing
• An electric current induces a magnetic field
• This was the first fundamental discovery linking electricity and magnetism
• Task: Draw magnetic field lines around a current carrying wire

  1. Oersted wanted to learn more about the magnetic field created by a current. He placed a compass at different locations around a wire with current flowing through it.

  2. The lines of magnetic force circle around the wire in a counterclockwise direction.
• The magnetic field is intensified when the wire is made into a loop
• Solenoid

  A coil of wire that creates a strong magnetic field when an electric current flows through it
• Creating a solenoid can make the effect of the magnetic field surrounding the wire even stronger
• Plenary: Describe how to collect data

  • Formative Assessment -Criteria B