Electrical currents can give rise to magnetism. Changing magnetic fields can give rise to voltages. This is the basis of an enormous variety of useful electrical devices.

Main pages in this section Estimated time required Link to activities in teacher manual Exploring currents and magnets 30 minutes - Making an electromagnet 30 minutes - Making a motor 30 minutes - Inducing a voltage 30 minutes - Science content: about electromagnetism 30 minutes   Discussion of electromagnetism 30 minutes

A transformer is an electromagetic device.

• copper wire *
• a small piece of sandpaper *
• batteries and battery holders *
• compass *
• wires with clip ends *
• magnet *
• a large nail *
• plastic straw *
• bipolar light emitting diode (that is different colors when the current goes different ways) *
• tape (you provide)
• paper clips (you provide)
• a black marking pen (you provide)

Another page you might find interesting:
Why study electromagnetism?

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