Electromagnets
Describe the magnetic effect of an electric current (a current-carrying wire produces a magnetic field), and investigate how the strength of an electromagnet depends on current, number of coil turns, and core material
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“If your child built an electromagnet using a battery, wire, and iron nail, could they describe two ways to make it pick up more paperclips — and explain why it stops working when the circuit is switched off?”
Full guide and materials
- Activity. Describe the magnetic effect of an electric current (a current-carrying wire produces a magnetic field), and investigate how the strength of an electromagnet depends on current, number of coil turns, and core material
What to notice. Describes that a current-carrying wire produces a circular magnetic field • Lists three factors that affect electromagnet strength: current size, number of coil turns, and core material • Explains why an electromagnet can be switched on and off, unlike a permanent magnet
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If your child built an electromagnet using a battery, wire, and iron nail, could they describe two ways to make it pick up more paperclips — and explain why it stops working when the circuit is switched off?
Describe the magnetic effect of an electric current (a current-carrying wire produces a magnetic field), and investigate how the strength of an electromagnet depends on current, number of coil turns, and core material
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Check understanding
- Describes that a current-carrying wire produces a circular magnetic field
- Lists three factors that affect electromagnet strength: current size, number of coil turns, and core material
- Explains why an electromagnet can be switched on and off, unlike a permanent magnet
“If your child built an electromagnet using a battery, wire, and iron nail, could they describe two ways to make it pick up more paperclips — and explain why it stops working when the circuit is switched off?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Forces & Motion
- Age range
- Ages 12–13
Standards