NEW AQA Physics (2016) - Electromagnets

This lesson is designed for the NEW AQA Physics GCSE, particularly the ‘Electromagnetism’ SoW.

For more lessons designed to meet specification points for the NEW AQA Trilogy specifications for Biology, Chemistry and Physics please see my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/SWiftScience

The lesson begins with an investigation, students will be provided with an investigation worksheet and their aim will be to observe the magnetic field of a current-carrying wire. Students will need to set the equipment up as shown on the diagram provided, and then carry out a series of tests using plotting compasses to observe the size and direction of the magnetic field. They should make a note of their observations in their books.

Next, as a class have a discussion about the results that you have found. The next slide outlines the results that students hopefully found by reversing the current, moving the plotting compasses further away from the wire, and increasing the current in the circuit. There is also a diagram included which demonstrates the lines of force acting around the current-carrying wire.

The next part of the lesson focuses on solenoids, students will be shown a diagram of a solenoid and will be asked to think>pair>share their ideas about the position of the magnetic field lines inside and outside the solenoid. After a short discussion with the class, move on to the next slide to outline the difference in the strength of the magnetic field inside and outside of the solenoid.

Next, students will be re-introduced to the idea of an electromagnet, they would have already covered this in KS3, but this will go over some of the key concepts. Students will then have a think in their pairs about the factors which might affect the strength of an electromagnet, they will then investigate the effect that the number of coils and size of current has on the strength of the electromagnet.

Once the investigation is complete, students will complete a set of questions and a ‘copy and complete’ task on what they have learned so far this lesson, the answers for these tasks are included in the PowerPoint so students will be able to self-assess their work.

Lastly, students will read a comprehension sheet on the uses of electromagnets. They will have a set of questions to answer based on this information, and they can either peer-assess or self-mark their work once complete.

The plenary task requires students to pick a sentence starter from the board and complete it to summarise what they have learned this lesson.

All resources are included. Thanks for looking, if you have any questions please let me know at swyftresources@gmail.com.