topic 3: magnetism

2.1 Practical and enquiry skills: c) Plan and carry out practical and investigative activities, both individually and in groups
3.1 Energy, electricity and forces: b) Forces are interactions between objects and can affect their shape and motion
3.4 The environment, Earth and Universe: c) Human activity and natural processes can lead to changes in the environment
1.1 Explanation, argument and decisions
1.2 Practical and enquiry skills;
4.1 Forces
4.2 Energy transfer
5.3 Changing environment and sustainability

  • Identify the difference between magnetic materials and non-magnetic materials
  • Identify magnetic fields and where they are strongest
  • Describe some of the uses of permanent magnets
  • Explain about the shapes, sizes and directions of magnetic fields
  • Use magnetic field lines to describe a magnetic field
  • Plot the magnetic field around a bar magnet by using a plotting compass
  • Explain how a magnetic field goes around the Earth
  • Explain what causes this magnetic field and some of its effects
  • Describe how to remove magnetism from magnetic materials
  • Describe ways in which materials can be magnetised
  • Explain magnetism using the domain theory
  • Recognise the link between magnetism and electricity
  • Describe the magnetic field that surrounds an electromagnet
  • Describe how to change the strength of an electromagnet
  • Describe some of the uses of electromagnets
  • Explain how an electric bell, a relay and a circuit breaker work
  • Understand about Michael Faraday and his discovery of the motor effect
  • Understand how the motor effect works and some of the uses of electric motors
  • Understand how magnetism can be used to generate electricity
  • Identify what fuels power stations use
  • Understand how power stations work and the impact they have on the environment
  • Understand the environment effects of using fossil fuels to generate electricity
  • Evaluate the risks of our continuing to rely on fossil fuels as an energy resource
  • Identify some examples of pollution
  • Describe some types of renewable energy
  • Understand the advantages and disadvantages of these types
  • Understand how renewable energy resources can be used to produce electricity
  • Explain the implications of using renewable energy resources
  • Consider if nuclear power is an effective way of generating electricity in the future
  • Describe some of the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power
  • Explain the implications of using nuclear power

Key Terms:
lode stone
geographic north
permanent
iron
permanent magnet
aurora borealis
coil
circuit breaker
dynamo
alternating current
renewable energy
nuclear
magnet
domain
compass
cobalt
inner core
cosmic rays
armature
motor effect
maglev
turbine
bio-fuel
magnetism
poles
magnetic force
nickle
outer core
demagnetised
soft iron core
electric motor
power station
fossil fuel
geothermal
magnetic material
attract
magnetic field
iron fillings
magnetosphere
non-magnetic material
relay
generator effect
recycle
pollution
tidal
magnetic north
repel
poles
magnetic field lines
geodynamo theory
electromagnet
switch
induced current
national grid
pylon
hydroelectric
Classroom Activities:
Magnets
Magnet practical
Earths Magnetic Field (ppt)
Investigate Earth's Magnetic Field
Magnetism Revision Poster

Electromagnets
Electromagnets (ppt)
How Electromagnets Are Used
Build and test electromagnets

Motor and Generator
Motors and Generators (ppt)
Demonstration of motor effect and generator effect
Make a Motor practical

Powerplants and Pollution
Demonstrate a power generator
Become the Renewable Energy Expert poster
Nuclear Energy Webquest

Useful Links:
Magnets
Click here for the buzz on Magnets
Mr Magnet Man
10 Facts About Magnets
Magnetism in Space
How Stuff Works Magnets

Electromagnets
Video clip on Electromagnets
Check out the video on Junkyard Magnets

Motor and Generator Effect
BBC Bitesize
Great activity from BBC Bitesize
More information on the Dynamo Effect

Powerplants and Pollution
Click here to complete the virtual powerplant tour. Begin with the Tour Tips then start the Entire Tour

Learning Outcomes:
  • I know that the Earth has a magnetic field around it
  • I know what type of fuels are used in power stations
  • I know how power stations work
  • I can classify some renewable and non-renewable resources
  • I can describe the shape and direction of a magnetic field
  • I can explain how magnetic materials can be magnetised using a simple domain model
  • I know how to increase the strength of an electromagnet
  • I can describe how electricity is generated using fuels and describe some of the possible environmental effects
  • I can describe how renewable energy resources can be used to generate electricity and provide heating
  • I can describe some of the effects of the Earth's magnetic field
  • I can describe methods to demagnetise magnetic materials
  • I can describe the shape of the field around an electromagnet
  • I can compare the advantages and disadvantages of a range of energy resources
  • I can suggest reasons why the Earth's magnetic field may not be constant over time
  • I know that magnetic effects are used in electric motors and generators
  • I can describe some of the issues associated with using nuclear power
  • I can describe some of the social, economic and environmental issues arising from our continued reliance on fossil fuels
  • I can describe some of the issues associated with using nuclear power.

Video Clips:
The Northern Lights are one of nature's most spectacular visual phenomena, and in this time lapse video they provide a breathtaking display of light, shape, and color over the course of a single night in Norway.
Electromagnetism
Great animation on the Motor Effect
Learn more about Maglev and Maglev Trains
Power Stations