KS3 & KS4 science curriculum

This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Magnets and electromagnets, where they explored the basic principles of magnetism and electromagnetic fields. It deepens their understanding by examining electromagnetism in more complex applications, such as electric motors and generators. As the final unit in the big question, How do electricity and magnetism work?, it reinforces pupils’ understanding of the interconnected nature of electricity and magnetism and their applications in technology and everyday life.

1. Plotting magnetic fields
2. An electromagnet
3. Strength of an electromagnet
4. Applications of electromagnets
5. The motor effect
6. An electric motor
7. The generator effect
8. Electric generators
9. Applications of motor and generator effects

• Arrows on magnetic field lines show the direction in which the north-seeking pole of another magnet would be forced.
• Where a magnetic field is stronger, the field lines are closer together.
• When there is an electric current in a wire, there is a magnetic field around the wire.
• When there is an electric current in a coil of wire, the magnetic field around each loop adds to make a stronger field.
• An electromagnet is made by wrapping a coil of wire around a core.
• An electromagnet is a magnet that can be turned on with an electric current, and turned off.
• The more loops of wire in the coil of an electromagnet, the stronger its magnetic field.
• The larger the current through the coil of an electromagnet, the stronger its magnetic field.
• The more tightly wound the coil of wire is in an electromagnet, the stronger its magnetic field.
• A soft iron core increases the strength of an electromagnet because it becomes magnetised when it is turned on.