Electromagnetism and Magnetism

• Magnetic field


  The region around a magnet where a force may be felt
• Magnetic fields


  • Invisible
  • Can be revealed with iron filings
• Investigating magnetic fields with iron filings

  1. Sprinkle iron filings around magnet

  2. Filings line up with magnetic field

  3. Take picture or draw pattern

  4. Tip filings back into container
• Investigating magnetic fields with plotting compasses

  1. Place magnet in centre of paper

  2. Place compass at end of magnet, slightly to side

  3. Mark where needle points

  4. Move compass so back of needle is on mark, mark other end

  5. Repeat until other end of magnet or paper

  6. Repeat from different position

  7. Join marks to show magnetic field
• Magnetic materials are iron, nickel and cobalt
• Magnets are surrounded by an invisible magnetic field
• Magnetic force is a non-contact force, objects don't need to touch to experience it
• The Earth has a magnetic field with a North and South Pole
• A compass needle is a small magnet that aligns with the Earth's magnetic field
• Goggles must be worn when using iron filings as they are sharp and must be kept away from eyes
• It can be tricky to get iron filings off a magnet, so put the magnet under paper to separate it from the filings
• Add iron filings slowly as it can be difficult to see the pattern if there are too many
• Gently tapping the paper makes the iron filings 'jump' and line up with the magnetic field lines