NEW AQA Physics (2016) - Magnetic Fields

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 a question for pupils to ‘Think > Pair > Share’ their ideas about what they already know about magnets. This can be discussed in a group, before feeding back to the classroom. Students will now complete a practical investigation: testing magnetic materials, in groups they will be given a selection of materials and a bar magnet, they will need to determine which materials are magnetic. Once complete, students can check their work against the answers provided. An explanation of why steel is often used to make magnets is provided.

Next, students will investigate what happens when the poles of two bar magnets are brought together. Students will be given a set of combinations to try: N + N, S + N, S + S - attract or repel? Their results can be recorded in a table in their books and then be assessed using the mark scheme once complete.

The next part of the lesson focuses on magnetic fields; firstly, students are shown the magnetic field of a bar magnet. They will have a go at drawing their own - they will have a worksheet, on it is lots of of circles surrounding a bar magnet, on each of the circles they will place a compass and then draw the direction the arrow is facing. Once complete, students should link up the arrows to show the direction of the magnetic field, they can stick this worksheet into their books.

The penultimate part of the lesson focuses on the magnetic field surrounding Earth, students are shown diagrams to demonstrate this idea and then will assess their knowledge of the subject by getting students to complete a fill-in-the-blanks task. This task can be self-assessed using the mark scheme provided in the PowerPoint presentation.

Finally, students will watch a video about induced magnetism, and will have to answer a set of questions whilst watching the video. The answers to this task are included in the PowerPoint. The last activity allows students to have a go at making their own magnets, using a magnetic material such as an iron bar/nail, and a bar magnet.

The plenary task requires students to write down three sentences 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.