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Science

Electromagnetism

Overview

Students investigate the connection between electricity and magnetism, discovering that electric current produces a magnetic field.

Learning Objective
Students understand how electric current creates a magnetic field and how this principle is used in electromagnets and electric motors.

Resources needed

  • Wire (30 to 50 cm insulated)
  • One battery
  • Iron nail
  • Small paper clips or iron filings

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Remind students: permanent magnets create magnetic fields. Can electricity do the same?
  2. 2 Wrap wire around an iron nail many times. Connect to battery. Hold near paper clips — it attracts them.
  3. 3 Disconnect the battery — the paper clips drop. Ask: why? (The magnetic field disappears when current stops).
  4. 4 Introduce: an electric current creates a magnetic field — this is electromagnetism.
  5. 5 Increase the number of coils — the magnet gets stronger. Explain: more coils = stronger field.
  6. 6 Ask: where are electromagnets used? (Speakers, motors, cranes, MRI scanners, doorbells).
  7. 7 Introduce the electric motor principle: a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field experiences a force — this creates rotation.

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Compare the strength of different numbers of coil turns.
  • Make a simple compass using a magnetised needle — show that the electromagnet deflects it.
  • Discuss generators: the reverse of a motor — mechanical motion creates electric current.
More information

Teach: electromagnet, coil, current, magnetic field, attract, repel, motor, generator. The key principle: moving charges create magnetic fields. This is the basis of all electrical machines.

Focus on building and testing the electromagnet before introducing motors and generators.

Can students explain why an electromagnet loses its magnetism when the current is switched off? Can they give two real-world applications of electromagnetism?

Insulated wire wrapped around a nail with a single battery demonstrates electromagnetism clearly and cheaply. Paper clips are free test objects.

Students often think that once magnetised, a material stays magnetic. An electromagnet is only magnetic while current flows — there is no permanent magnetisation of the iron core.

Electromagnetism is the foundation of all electrical technology — motors, generators, transformers, speakers, and medical imaging.

Activity details
Secondary Medium 25 minutes 10 minutes prep Small Group Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Electromagnetism Magnetic Fields Physics