Magnetic poles

Science

The magnetic field of a bar magnet

Electromagnets

Current through an electromagnet

Using electromagets

In the Electromagnetism unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn about the motor effect and electric motors, the generator effect and electric generators, and how loudspeakers and microphones work.

In the Series circuits unit, pupils learnt about static electricity (electric charge), setting up series circuits using circuit diagrams, finding and replacing faulty components, and the rules for electric current and voltage in series circuits.

This unit explores magnetism, including magnetic poles, fields, and Earth’s magnetism, along with the principles of electromagnets and DC motors. It focuses on conducting precise scientific enquiries and identifying variables and emphasises accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility.

Magnets and electromagnets

A region where a magnetic material experiences a force.

A small compass that can show the field of a magnet.

The end of a compass needle which points to the north of Earth.

The end of a compass needle which points to the south of Earth.

An imaginary line that shows the direction and shape of a magnetic field.

this exerts a force on magnets and magnetic materials

a wire wound round in loops and looks like a spring

the centre of an electromagnet around which a wire is wound to make a coil

a magnet made using a coil, a core and a power supply

the variable that the person doing the experiment changes

the variable that the person doing the experiment measures

the variables that may affect the dependent variable and should be kept the same

an experiment where the control variables are kept the same

the centre of a strong electromagnet that becomes magnetised

A magnet made by running current through a coil of wire round an iron core.

An electromagnet that loses its magnetism when current stops flowing through it.

A lock that can be opened with an electromagnet when a switch is closed.

A bell that uses an electromagnet to strike a clapper on the bell and which resets itself to keep ringing.

A motor that uses a magnetic field to produce a force.

Magnets and electromagnets

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