I can draw the shape of the field I can explain how an

I can build a simple

around a coil and a solenoid. electromagnet is used in a circuit
electromagnet.
breaker.

Electromagnets
Starter
• Draw the shape and direction of a
field around the current carrying I
conductor 
• How can we put the magnetic field
of a wire to use?

Keywords: magnetic field, solenoid, soft magnetic material, electromagnet

1/20/21
 I can draw the shape of the field I can explain how an
I can build a simple
around a coil and a solenoid. electromagnet is used in a circuit
electromagnet.
breaker.

Magnetic Fields of a Coil

• Sketch the magnetic

field.
• What would happen if
the current direction
was reversed?

Keywords: magnetic field, solenoid, soft magnetic material, electromagnet

1/20/21
 I can draw the shape of the field I can explain how an
I can build a simple
around a coil and a solenoid. electromagnet is used in a circuit
electromagnet.
breaker.

Magnetic Fields of a Solenoid

The coil of wire is called a
solenoid.
1. What does the shape of the
magnetic field remind you
of?
2. Sketch the magnetic field.
3. Label north and south poles.
4. How could we reverse the
poles?

Keywords: magnetic field, solenoid, soft magnetic material, electromagnet

1/20/21
 I can draw the shape of the field I can explain how an
I can build a simple
around a coil and a solenoid. electromagnet is used in a circuit
electromagnet.
breaker.

Building Electromagnets
1. Build the electromagnet.
2. Why do we use an iron
nail and not a steel nail?
3. Describe 2 ways in which
the strength of the
electromagnet could be
increased.

Keywords: magnetic field, solenoid, soft magnetic material, electromagnet

1/20/21
 I can draw the shape of the field I can explain how an
I can build a simple
around a coil and a solenoid. electromagnet is used in a circuit
electromagnet.
breaker.

Building Electromagnets
1. Iron is a soft magnetic
material so can be
easily magnetised and
demagnetised.
2. To increase the
strength we could
increase current or add
more turns to the coil.
Keywords: magnetic field, solenoid, soft magnetic material, electromagnet
1/20/21
 I can draw the shape of the field I can explain how an
I can build a simple
around a coil and a solenoid. electromagnet is used in a circuit
electromagnet.
breaker.

Using electromagnets – Circuit breakers

1. Label the electromagnet
in the diagram.
2. What will happen to the
electromagnet as the
current increases?
3. How will this effect switch
contacts and ultimately
the current in the circuit?

Keywords: magnetic field, solenoid, soft magnetic material, electromagnet

1/20/21
I can draw the shape of the field I can explain how an
I can build a simple
around a coil and a solenoid. electromagnet is used in a circuit
electromagnet.
breaker.

electromagnet

As the current in the circuit increases the strength of the electromagnet increases. This will
attract the contact, braking the circuit and stopping the current from flowing.

Keywords: magnetic field, solenoid, soft magnetic material, electromagnet

 I can draw the shape of the field I can explain how an
I can build a simple
around a coil and a solenoid. electromagnet is used in a circuit
electromagnet.
breaker.

Plenary: Discussion
The electromagnet attracts
the metal plate to hold the
door open.
The electromagnet is
connected to a fire alarm
circuit.
When the fire alarm
sounds, the door is
This photograph shows an electromagnetic device used to keep released and it closes.
a door open. Why?
Keywords: magnetic field, solenoid, soft magnetic material, electromagnet
01/20/2021