Electricity and Magnetism

A series of free Science Lessons for 7th Grade and 8th Grade, KS3 and Checkpoint Science in preparation for GCSE and IGCSE Science.

Electricity and Magnetism
The relationship between electricity and magnetism, including how electromagnetism and induction work.

Electromagnets
When an electric current flows in a wire it creates a magnetic field around the wire.
By winding the wire into a coil we can strengthen the magnetic field.

We can make an electromagnet stronger by:

• wrapping the coil around an iron core
• adding more turns to the coil
• increasing the current flowing through the coil.

The magnetic field of an electromagnet
The magnetic field around an electromagnet is just the same as the one around a bar magnet. It can, however, be reversed by turning the battery around. Unlike bar magnets, which are permanent magnets, the magnetism of electromagnets can be turned on and off just by closing or opening the switch.

Magnetic Field around a current carrying wire
Determine the direction of the field using the right-hand grip rule.

Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.

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