Work in Progress:
The resources for Electromagnetism are grouped by topic and then by the type.
Below the table are resources that cover several of the topics and across different types.
| Topic | Resources |
|---|---|
| Electromagnetic induction | Yes ( , ) |
| Transformers and Transmission lines | |
| Generators | |
| Electromagnetic Waves |
In-Depth Resources: Websites with resources across topics
Teaching Advanced Physics: Fields
‘Teaching Advanced Physics’ is a UK resource for teachers new to teaching physics. It assumes only a limited access to equipment, resources, and advice from experienced colleagues. The section on Fields covers Gravitational and Electrical Fields and Electromagnetism. It consists of 16 episodes, each of which is for one or two 60 min lessons. Content of each episode is a lesson plan with a description of the content covered, with points to emphasise in discussion, along with activity or question sheets for the students.
Fields resources from Perimeter Institute
This is an inquiry-based educational resource focused on establishing the reality of electric, magnetic, and gravitational fields. The video features researchers discussing the central role that fields play in modern physics. Activities begin with an exploration of the nature of fields and the models that describe them. Students develop a physical model for electric fields and then test it using LEDs. They construct mathematical models that describe electric and magnetic fields and compare these to Maxwell’s equations. Students further explore the reality of fields as they investigate how auroras form. The nature of the gravitational field—as understood by Einstein—is applied to the orbit of Mercury to provide a model for orbital precession. The final activity is a design challenge that introduces students to magnetohydrodynamic propulsion.
Practical Physics: Electromagnetism
This Institute of Physics (UK) website on practical physics covers the whole of physics. This particular webpage on Electromagnetism has seven practical activities on permanent magnets, six on the magnetic field around a currrent, nine on electromagnets, nine of the magnetic force on moving charges, twelve on induction and seven on transformers. Each has a list of equipment, health & safety and technical notes, procedure and teaching notes and articles on related matters. There does not seem to a download option, but they are easy to copy and paste.
80+ ideas for Teaching Magnetism and Electromagnetism
This resource is the work of two physics teachers in the UK, Simon Poliakoff and Dan Jones. Each idea is on a google slide, which are coloured-coded for age group. Each slide also has a sub-set of icons selected from a set of over 20, covering ease of implementation and style e.g. demo, prac, simulation, video, story, joke, analogy, hook, etc. The slides are grouped by topics: i) Magnet, magnetic materials and fields (21), ii) Electromagnets (5), Practical devices using electromagnets (9), The Motor Effect (16), The Generator Effect (EMI) (16), Transformers (10), Motion of charged particles in Magnetic Fields (8).
Induction: Context
Understanding Electricity and Circuits: What the textbooks don’t tell you. 206 kB pdf
A 12 page article by Ian Sefton of the University of Sydney. Highly recommended.
Induction: Activities
Worksheets for Unit 3 Electromagnetism 494 kB
Worksheets for experiments for Unit 3 Magnetic Fields and Electrical Energy.
Magnetic Puzzle 22 kB doc
From John Joosten. When you roll a NIB magnet down an Aluminium sheet it curves to one side. The curving appears to depend on the orientation of the sheet in the Earth’s magnetic field. How can it be explained?
Magnetic Puzzle Explanation 38.4 kB doc
When you roll a NIB magnet down an Aluminium sheet it curves to one side. The curving appears to depend on the orientation of the sheet in the Earth’s magnetic field. An explanation.
Induction aluminium pipe and ceramic magnet 22 kB docx
A worksheet by Colin Hopkins.
Induction: Websites
Wireless Charging: An application of electromagnetic induction
Wireless charging, or more correctly ‘inductive charging’ is now a common technology with new mobile phones using the transformer principle, but without an iron core. It is a technology with an increasing number of applications. Some current areas of wireless charging research include: surgical implants, electric vehicles, public transport, charging lane for self-driving vehicles, solar power satellite, powered home appliances from a single source and universal power source for communications in an emergency. Other useful websites are: Explain that stuff, Fundamentals and Standards for wireless charging, The future with wireless technology.
Transformers: Context
The Electrical Grid
A series of 4 videos (US based) called ‘Practical Engineering’. It covers i) how the grid works, ii) How electricity Generation really works, iii) How do substations work, iv) How do Transmission Lines work. The narration takes an engineering approach.
Transformers: Activities
EMI Demonstration through water 83 kB doc
EMI Demonstration using a dissectible transformer. Supplied by Paul Cuthbert, University High School. Also check out Video 1 and Video 2, along with photos of the equipment set up No 1, No 2, No 3, No 4, No 5, No 6, No 7, No 8.
Power Lines and transformers, fuses 28 kB docx
A worksheet by Colin Hopkins.
Transformers: Websites
An App on Australia’s Energy Consumption
The app shows Australia’s energy consumption, and the energy flow around Australia. It is free. Its size is 22 MB and requires iOS 11.4 or later. The app gives close to real time info on the electrical energy flow between the states that are linked in Australia. It also gives information on all the power generation plants connected to the grid including type, capacity and current output. You need to register to get a password to use it.
Generators: Context
The Engineering Mindset
A series of short educational US videos from the basics to three phase power.
Generators: Assessment
Assessment Task: Operation of a Device for Electrical Energy 40.4 kB doc
EM Waves: Context
Maxwell’s Equations 147 kB rtf
Describes Maxwell’s equations and Electromagnetic Waves. The material is beyond most secondary curricula, but would be of interest to students looking for a little extra in this area.