Work in Progress:
The resources for Magnetism 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 |
|---|---|
| Magnetic fields | Yes ( , ) |
| Magnetic force on moving charges and currents | |
| DC motors |
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.
Worksheets for Unit 3 Electromagnetism 494 kB
Worksheets for experiments for Unit 3 Magnetic Fields and Electrical Energy.
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).
Magnetic Field: Context
News Stories on Magnetism 30.2 kB
Summaries of selected articles from the ‘News from the Web’ section of the Vicphysics Newsletter. Each summary as a link to the full article. The articles can be used to add context to class discussion or to display within the classroom.
Measuring the Strength of a Magnet
This is a general article in Wired magazine by Brett Allain on measuring the strength of the magnetic field.
Magnetic Field: Activities
Measuring a magnetic field with a phone app
There are several phone apps that measure the strength of a magnetic field. They vary in approach from being for hobby use or as a scientific instrument. They include Android: Magnetic Field Detector, Gauss Meter, iOS: Compass, Teslameter, Electromagnetic detector.
Magnetic Field: Assessment
Assessment Task: Operation of a Device for Fields Area of Study 49.2 kB
Assessment Task: Explanation of a Phenomenon for Fields Area of Study 49.2 kB
Magnetic Field: Websites and Applets
Magnetic field of a bar magnet
An applet by Walter Fendt. Use the mouse to move a compass around a bar magnet.
Magnetic Force: Context
Accelerators and Beams: Tools of Discovery and Innovation: A free 36 page download
The booklet ‘Accelerators and Beams: Tools of Discovery and Innovation’ is a free full colour publication by American Physical Society. It is the 4th edition from their Division of Physics of Beams. The purpose of the booklet is educational and promotional and accessible to students from Year 10 onwards.
Magnetic Force: Activities
Forces on Charges 126 kB
Describes the magnetic force on moving charges and goes on to look at the effect of the Earth’s magnetic field on charges from the Sun and at the Hall effect, which gives us insight into the nature of electric currents as well as many practical applications.
Magnetic Force: Websites and Applets
The Lorentz Force (F=BIl)
The applet by Walter Fendt shows a U shaped wire in the magnetic field of a horseshoe magnet. You are able to turn on a current and see the wire move. You can reverse the magnet and the direction of the current. The display shows the direction of the current, the magnetic field and the force.
Magnetic field around a wire
An applet by Walter Fendt. Use the mouse to move a compass around a current carrying wire.
Charged particle in a magnetic field
This applet is by Surendranath. The strength of the field and the speed of the particle can be changed.
DC Motors: Activities
Electric Motors Prac 22 kB docx
A prac by Colin Hopkins
A cheap DC Motor Prac 26 kB
The prac uses a small DC motor with a fan and a lightning connector, which sell for about $2.
DC Motors: Websites and Applets
A very comprehensive website on motors, generators and transformers
A very comprehensive website on motors, generators and transformers featuring many effective animations by the University of New South Wales.
Direct Current Electric Motor
Applet by Walter Fendt. The display shows a coil rotating slowly in magnetic field. The coil is linked to a battery through a commutator. You can reverse the direction of the current and increase the speed of rotation, you also can decide to show the directions of the magnetic field, the current and the direction of the magnetic force called the Lorentz force.
How does an Electric Motor Work?
Jared Owen mainly produces 3D animations on how machines work, but he also has a few that are more science related. The distinctive features of his videos are three-fold: i) sufficient detail to make the animation fully represent the mechanism, ii) the pacing, with one aspect being shown and described, which then leads on to the next and iii) a narration that clearly and simply explains each aspect. You cannot fail to be impressed by the quality of the animation and the structure and language of the explanation.