KS3 Revision

8J Magnets and
Electromagnets
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Contents

8J Magnets and Electromagnets

Magnetic materials
Magnetic fields
Electromagnets
Summary activities
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Magnetic materials
Which of the metals below are magnetic metals?

silver (Ag)

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Magnetic materials
A magnetic material is attracted to a magnet.
Only iron (Fe), nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co) are magnetic.

Ag
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Magnetic or non-magnetic?

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Contents

8J Magnets and Electromagnets

Magnetic materials
Magnetic fields
Electromagnets
Summary activities
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Forces between magnets experiment

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What is a magnetic field?

The region around a magnet where it has a magnetic effect
is called its magnetic field.
When a magnetic material is placed in a magnetic field it will
experience a force.

The iron filings feel the effect of the magnetic field and
show the direction of the forces in this region.
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Shape of a magnetic field

What is the shape and direction of the lines of force in the
magnetic field around a bar magnet?

strongest
field

strongest
field
at poles

at poles

weakest field further

away from poles
Where is the magnetic field strongest?
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Viewing magnetic fields: N poles together

Bring the north poles of two bar magnets together.

What happens to the magnets?

Next, bring the two north poles as close to each other as

possible and place a piece of paper on top of the magnets.
Carefully scatter iron filings onto the paper.
Draw the pattern created by the iron filings.

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Magnetic field pattern: N poles together

What do you notice about the pattern of the lines of force
in the region between the two north poles?

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Viewing magnetic fields: N and S poles together

Bring the north and south poles of two bar magnets together.

What happens to the magnets?

Next, put the north and south poles close to each other,
without letting them touch, and place a piece of paper on top.
Carefully scatter iron filings onto the paper.
Draw the pattern created by the iron filings.

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Magnetic field pattern: N and S poles together

What do you notice about the pattern of the lines of force
in the region between the north and south poles?

How does this pattern compare with the pattern between

the two north poles?
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Magnetic fields summary

1. When two like poles (e.g. two north poles or
two south poles) are put together, they repel
each other.
2. When two unlike poles (e.g. a north and a
south pole) are put together, they attract each
other.
3. Scattering iron filings around a bar magnet
makes it possible to see the lines of force of the
magnetic field.

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Making a magnet
A magnet can be made by magnetizing a material which is
attracted to a magnet, e.g. a paper clip.
There are three methods that can be used to make a magnet:

Stroke a magnet along the paperclip from one end to the
other and then starting from the same place, repeat the
movement. The more times this is done, the more
magnetic the clip becomes.

Hold a nail in a magnetic field and hit it with a hammer.

Put a magnetic material in a strong magnetic field.

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Contents

8J Magnets and Electromagnets

Magnetic materials
Magnetic fields
Electromagnets
Summary activities
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Making an electromagnet
When electricity is passed through a coil of wire, the coil has
a magnetic field around it. This is called an electromagnet.
If the coil of wire is wrapped around a piece of iron, such as
an iron nail, the magnetic field gets stronger.

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Investigating an electromagnet
An iron core at the centre of a coil of wire increases the
strength of an electromagnet.

Two experiments can be carried out to investigate the other

factors that can affect the strength of an electromagnet:

1. Investigate how the number of coils affects the

number of paper clips attracted to an electromagnet
keep the current the same in this experiment.

2. Investigate how the size of the current affects the

number of paper clips attracted to an electromagnet
keep the number of coils the same in this experiment.
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Investigating an electromagnet results 1

Number of coils

Number of paper
clips attracted

20
40
60

8
18

80

31

Remember keep the current the same

throughout this experiment!
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Investigating an electromagnet results 2

Number of paper
clips attracted
0

12

23

38

49

60

Current (A)

Remember keep the number of coils the same

throughout this experiment!
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Investigating an electromagnet graph 1

number of clips attracted

Graph to show how the number of coils affects the

strength of an electromagnet.
50
40
30
20
10
0
0

20

40

60

80

100

number of coils
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number of clips attracted

Investigating an electromagnet graph 2

Graph to show how the current affects the
strength of an electromagnet

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0

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4
current (A)

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Using electromagnets scrap yards

A large electromagnet is used in a scrap yard to pick up
and move heavy pieces of scrap metal.
Which metals would the
electromagnet attract?
What advantages does
an electromagnet have
over a permanent
magnet?

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Using electromagnets door bells

The circuit for a door bell includes an electromagnet.

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Using electromagnets relay

Lifts, cars and other large electrical machines use high
currents.
A relay, which includes an electromagnet, is used to allow
a small current in one circuit to control a large current in
another circuit.

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Label the diagram electric bell

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Label the diagram - relay

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Electromagnets summary
1. When electricity is passed through a coil of wire, the coil
behaves like a magnet and has a magnetic field around it
this is an electromagnet.

2. There are three ways to make an electromagnet stronger:

wrap the coil of wire around an iron core;

increase the number of coils;

increase the size of the current.

3. An electromagnet can be easily turned on and off.

This is why electromagnets can be used in
scrapyards and as switches in electrical devices.

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Contents

8J Magnets and Electromagnets

Magnetic materials
Magnetic fields
Electromagnets
Summary activities
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Glossary

attraction The force that pulls things together,
e.g. opposite poles of two magnets.

electromagnet A magnet made by passing electricity

through a coil of wire, which often has a core inside.

magnet An object that has a magnetic field and can

attract magnetic materials.

magnetic field The area around a magnet where its

magnetic force can be felt.

magnetic materials Materials that are attracted to a

magnet, e.g. iron, cobalt and nickel.

other,
magnetism
The of
non-contact
force of a magnetic field.
e.g. like
poles
two magnets.

poles The parts of a magnet where its magnetic field is
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Anagrams

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Magnetism true or false?

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Multiple-choice quiz

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KS4

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Electromagnetism and movement

What is the link between movement, magnetism and electric
current?

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Wire in a magnetic field

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Changing the direction of the force

The direction of the force acting on a wire in an
electromagnetic field can be reversed by:

reversing the current

reversing the magnetic field

The direction of the force is therefore relative to both the

direction of the magnetic field and the current.
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Flemings left-hand rule

It is possible to predict the direction of the force acting on
a wire its motion if the direction of the current or the
magnetic field are known. Flemings left-hand rule is
used to do this.
thuMb = Motion
First finger = magnetic Field

seCond finger = Current

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Increasing the size of the force

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Coil in a magnetic field

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The motor effect: true or false?

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What are electric motors?

How many items do you own that contain an electric motor?
An electric motor is a device that
converts electrical energy into
mechanical energy to produce a
turning effect.
Most motors are powered using direct
current (DC), which is produced by
cells and batteries.
Motors powered by mains electricity
use alternating current (AC).
These motors use electromagnets
rather than permanent magnets.
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How does an electric motor work?

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DC electric motor simulation

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How do we increase motor strength?

Would the same strength motor be used in both of these?

How can the strength of an electric motor be increased?

increase the current flowing through the coil

increase the strength of the magnet

increase the number of turns on the coil
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Inducing current in a wire

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Flemings right-hand rule

It is possible to predict the direction of the induced current
produced by a generator if the direction of the force (or
motion) or the magnetic field are known. Flemings righthand rule is used to do this.
thuMb = Motion
First finger = magnetic Field

seCond finger = Current

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What is electromagnetic induction?

When current flows through a wire held in a magnetic field,
a force is created that moves the wire.
The opposite is also possible: if a
wire is moved across a magnetic
field, a current is produced. This is
called electromagnetic induction.
Induction also occurs if a magnet is
moved in a coil of wire, or if a coil of
wire rotates in a magnetic field.
In all these methods of inducing a current, the wire and
magnetic field move perpendicular to each other. If they
move parallel to each other, no current is induced.
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Inducing current in a coil

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What are generators?

A generator is a device that converts mechanical energy
into electrical energy. It is the opposite of an electric motor.
Power stations use generators
to produce electricity on a large
scale. Mechanical energy is
provided by rotating turbines
that can be powered by:

high-pressure steam in
coal, oil, gas and nuclear
power stations

wind in wind turbines

falling water in hydroelectric power stations
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How do AC generators work?

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AC generator simulation

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Increasing the size of the induced current

How can the size of an induced current be increased?

increase the speed at which the coil rotates

increase the strength of the magnetic field

increase the number of turns in the coil

increase the total area of the coil.
In a power station
generator, an
electromagnet is often
used as this can provide
a stronger magnetic field
than is possible with a
permanent magnet.
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Factors affecting induced current

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Induction: true or false?

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Glossary

alternating current A current that constantly changes

direction. It is produced by most electrical generators.

commutator The part of a motor that enables the coil to
rotate using direct current.
direct current A current that always flows in the same
direction. It is produced by cells and batteries.
generator A device that converts mechanical energy into
electrical energy.
induction Generating a current in a wire by moving the
wire in a magnetic field, or by moving a magnet inside a coil.
motor A device that converts electrical energy into
mechanical energy.
slip rings The parts of a generator that enable the
rotating coil to produce alternating current.
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Anagrams

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Multiple-choice quiz

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