Electromagnets

LO: Describe how to make an electromagnet

Science Electromagnets
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 Learning outcomes and knowledge components

By the end of the lesson, you will:

• Describe how to make an electromagnet
• Explain how the strength of an electromagnet can be changed
• Investigate the effect of current on the strength of an electromagnet

To achieve this, you will need to know:

 The difference between a temporary and permanent magnet
 How to make an electromagnet
 How to show the magnetic field around an electromagnet
 How to increase the strength of an electromagnet
 How to make an electromagnet
 How to safely investigate the effect of current on electromagnets
 Are magnets always magnetic?

There are two

What would types of magnet:
happen to the
paper clip if the 1. Permanent
wire was taken 2. Temporary
away from the
cell?
Paperclip would fall. No
magnetic field inducing a
force of attraction.
 What does the magnetic field around an electromagnet look like?

The magnetic field

around a single loop is
not very strong. If you
put lots of coils together,
the field is much
stronger. This is an
The magnetic field is
electromagnet. strongest closest to the
coils. This is represented
by the lines being closer
Where is the magnetic field the together.
strongest? How do you know?
 What is an electromagnet?

• A wire with an electric current flowing through it has a magnetic

field around it. You can investigate the field with a plotting compass.
The field lines are circles.

• You can make a circular loop of wire and pass a current through it.
The magnetic field lines at the centre of the loop are straight.
 Why are electromagnets temporary magnets?

• An electromagnet can be
turned on and off by
Use the diagram to turning the current on
explain why an and off
electromagnet can be
switched on and off. • The magnetic field is
only produced when the
Closing the switch will complete the
current is switched on
circuit and allow the charges to flow.
The battery will be able to push the
charges around the circuit. If the
switch is open, this will not take
place.
 How does the core impact the type of temporary magnet produced?

Electromagnets usually have a

magnetic material in the centre of
the coil, called a core. This makes
the electromagnet much stronger.

Iron is easy to magnetise but loses

its magnetism easily

Steel is hard to magnetise but

keeps its magnetism
 Bar Magnet Vs Electromagnet

They both have their uses but there are two main
differences between them:

1. You can turn an electromagnet on and off. Permanent

magnets keep their magnetism all the time.

2. You can make electromagnets that are much stronger

than permanent magnets
Check for Understanding

Q. Two types of magnet are...

1. Permanent and temporary

2. Insulator and conductor

3. Semi-permanent and induced

Check for Understanding

Q. An electromagnet will produce a magnetic

field...
1. All the time

2. When the current is on

3. When the current is off

Check for Understanding

Q. Iron is easy to magnetise and...

1. Loses magnetism easily

2. Keeps magnetism easily

3. Does not interact with magnets

 How does the core impact the type of temporary magnet produced?

Quick check questions:

Q1. Describe what an electromagnet is typically made
from.

Q2. Describe one similarity and one difference between

a bar magnet and an electromagnet.

Q3. Compare and contrast an iron core and a steel core.

 Self-assess!

Quick check questions:

Q1. Describe what an electromagnet is typically made from.
Electromagnets usually have a magnetic material in the centre of the coil, called a core. This makes the
electromagnet much stronger. Most cores are made of iron.
Q2. Describe one similarity and one difference between a bar magnet and an electromagnet.
You can turn an electromagnet on and off. Permanent magnets keep their magnetism all the time. You can
make electromagnets that are much stronger than permanent magnets. They both can produce magnetic
influence.

Q3. Compare and contrast an iron core and a steel core.

Iron is easy to magnetise but loses its magnetism easily. Steel is hard to magnetise but keeps its magnetism.
If you had a steel core in an electromagnet you could not turn the electromagnet off, because the steel would
still be magnetic.
 How do you make a stronger electromagnet?

The strength of an electromagnet depends on:

1. The number of turns, or loops, on the coil.
More turns of wire will make a stronger
electromagnet.

2. The current flowing in the wire. More

current flowing in the wire will make a
stronger electromagnet.

3. The type of core. Using a magnetic material

in the core will make a stronger
electromagnet.
Check for Understanding

Q. The greater the number of wire loops in an

electromagnet...
1. The strength of the electromagnet
will increase
2. the strength of the electromagnet will
remain the same
3. The strength of the electromagnet
will decrease
Check for Understanding

Q. The smaller the number of wire loops in an

electromagnet...
1. The strength of the electromagnet
will increase
2. the strength of the electromagnet will
remain the same
3. The strength of the electromagnet
will decrease
Check for Understanding

Q. The greater the current in an

electromagnet...
1. The strength of the electromagnet
will increase
2. the strength of the electromagnet will
remain the same
3. The strength of the electromagnet
will decrease
Check for Understanding

Q. The smaller the current in an

electromagnet...
1. The strength of the electromagnet
will increase
2. the strength of the electromagnet will
remain the same
3. The strength of the electromagnet
will decrease
Check for Understanding

Q. Using a magnetic material in the

electromagnetic core will result in...
1. The strength of the electromagnet
increasing
2. the strength of the electromagnet
remaining the same
3. The strength of the electromagnet
decreasing
 Exit ticket – knowing and remembering more

You should now know:

• The difference between a temporary and permanent magnet
• How to make an electromagnet
• How to show the magnetic field around an electromagnet
• How to increase the strength of an electromagnet
• How to make an electromagnet
• How to safely investigate the effect of current on electromagnets

To demonstrate this, your challenge is to:

• Answer the following questions…
Exit Ticket: Mini Composite
 Exit Ticket: Mini Composite
Q1. Which of the following is not a property of an electromagnet?

a. It is a temporary magnet

b. It is made from a current carrying wire

c. It can’t be switched on and off

d. Its magnetic field is strongest inside the coil

 Exit Ticket: Mini Composite

Q2. Which of the following materials could be used as a core in an

electromagnet?
a. Cobalt

b. Iron

c. Steel

d. Silver
Lesson 2 (Prac)
Starter:
Cwk
Monday 6 May 2024
Electromagnets
To know how to make and alter the strength of an electromagnet
Q1 Q2
Q1) A current carrying wire has Q2) A wasp sting has a pH of 10. You can treat a
a) No magnetic field around it wasp sting with...
b) A magnetic field around it a) Water
c) Properties of an insulator b) Sodium hydroxide
c) Vinegar

Q3 Literacy
Q3) The metal in lithium sulphate is... Q4) Elements found in sodium hydroxide are....
A) lithium a) Sodium, hydroxide
b) sulphur b) Sodium, hydrogen, oxygen
c) sulphate Cross curricular links: Literacy skills c) Sodium, hydro, oxide

Cross Curricular Links: Maths Literacy: Electromagnets, current,

field, strength
 Learning outcomes and knowledge components

By the end of the lesson, you will:

• Describe how to make an electromagnet
• Explain how the strength of an electromagnet can be changed
• Investigate the effect of current on the strength of an electromagnet

To achieve this, you will need to know:

 The difference between a temporary and permanent magnet
 How to make an electromagnet
 How to show the magnetic field around an electromagnet
 How to increase the strength of an electromagnet
 How to make an electromagnet
 How to safely investigate the effect of current on electromagnets
 Time to make and investigate electromagnets!

1. Make a coil of
wire.

2. Connect the
wire up in a
complete
circuit.
What is meant by a complete circuit?
For a circuit to be complete wires must be connected to the
negative and positive end of the power supply.
Time to make and investigate electromagnets!

Are there any risks

involved? How will
you manage them?

How could you

investigate the effect
of current on the
strength of an
electromagnet?

What would your

variables be?
Increasing the voltage (potential difference) will increase the current and so,
the magnetic strength of the electromagnet will also increase and attract more
paperclips.

Independent variable: voltage, current

Dependent variable: number of paperclips attracted to electromagnet

Control variable: coils around electromagnet, material used as electromagnet

core.
Wires, battery, switch, ammeter, coils of wire, iron nail, paper clips

12 v
Build the circuit as shown in the diagram.
Start on the lowest (potential difference) voltage.

Record the current using the ammeter.

Record how many paperclips are attracted to the electromagnet.

Repeat this step after increasing the (potential difference) voltage.

2 5

4 10

6 15

8 20

10 25

12 30
 How current affects the strength of an electromagnet

30
Number of paperclips lifted
25

20

15

10

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Current (A)
As the voltage increases, the current increases which also increases
the strength of the electromagnet. This is evidenced by the number
of paperclips the electromagnet is able to attract. The greater the
number of paperclips attracted, the stronger the electromagnet.

The experiment could be repeated, and averages taken to identify

any anomalous results.
The experiment could be repeated and changing the number of coils
in the electromagnet to see how this affects the strength of the
electromagnet. Additionally, the material of the electromagnetic core
may be changed to see how this affects the strength of the
electromagnet.
 Exit ticket – knowing and remembering more

You should now know:

• The difference between a temporary and permanent magnet
• How to make an electromagnet
• How to show the magnetic field around an electromagnet
• How to increase the strength of an electromagnet
• How to make an electromagnet
• How to safely investigate the effect of current on electromagnets

To demonstrate this, your challenge is to:

• Answer the following questions…
Exit Ticket: Mini Composite
 Exit Ticket: Mini Composite

Q3. State three ways that the strength of an electromagnet could be

increased.
1.The number of turns, or loops, on the coil. More turns of wire
will make a stronger electromagnet. ​

2.The current flowing in the wire. More current flowing in the wire
will make a stronger electromagnet. ​

3.The type of core. Using a magnetic material in the core will make
a stronger electromagnet.
 Exit Ticket: Mini Composite
Q4. Explain why steel may not be a good choice for the core of an
electromagnet.

Steel is more difficult to magnetise and keeps its magnetism.

Therefore, steel couldn't be used to make a temporary electromagnet
as there would still be a magnetic field even after the current is
switched off.

An iron core makes a temporary electromagnet. It loses its magnetism as

soon as the switch is opened, and the current is switched off.