Electric current and magnetism

Level Elementary Concept

When two magnets are close together, magnetic forces are at work. Two magnets repel or attract each other. A wire carrying an electric current and a magnet also repel or attract, because electric current makes a magnetic field.

Experiment 1 Electric swing

Materials
solder wire, enameled wire, horseshoe magnet, battery, switch, conducting wire and wooden stick. Close the switch, what happens?

Question
Change the direction of electric current and switch the magnets.

()

()

()

()

()

()

()

()

Science
Flemings left hand rule

answer; b, a, a, b

Experiment 2 Linear motor

Materials
aluminum pipe or steel pipe, mechanical pencil lead, magnet, battery and conducting wire.

Question
Which direction does the pipe move? Use Flemings left hand rule.

Experiment3 Clip motor

Linear movement can be changed into rotation.

Materials
paper clip(2), adhesive tape, magnet, enameled wire, sand paper or matte knife and battery.

Experiment4 Generator
A motor can be used as a generator. A generator can be used as a motor.

Materials
motor, bulb, conducting wire and string.

Science
Both a motor and a generator are made of magnets and a coil.

A motor can be a generator.

Experiment5 Paper cup speaker

Materials
paper cup or tin can, adhesive tape, double sticky tape, magnet, enameled wire, sand paper or matte knife and radio.

Science
Speaker is also made of magnet and coil.