Describe Oersted's key observation during his lecture demonstration in 1820 and explain its significance.

Oersted observed that a compass needle moved when an electric current was turned on in a nearby wire. This demonstrated the connection between electricity and magnetism.

Explain why you cannot isolate a single magnetic pole (i.e., have a lone north or south pole).

Magnetic field lines always form closed loops. If you cut a magnet in half, you end up with two smaller magnets, each with a north and south pole.

State the first right-hand rule and explain how it is used to determine the direction of the magnetic field around a current-carrying wire.

Point your right thumb in the direction of the electric current. The direction your fingers curl indicates the direction of the magnetic field lines.

A wire carrying a current is placed in a magnetic field. What four factors affect the magnitude of the force on the wire?

The magnitude of the force is affected by the current in the wire, the length of the wire in the magnetic field, the strength of the magnetic field, and the angle between the current and the magnetic field.

State the second right-hand rule and explain how it helps determine the direction of the force on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field.

Point your arm in the direction of the current, then bend your fingers in the direction of the magnetic field. Your thumb points in the direction of the force on the wire.

Electric Current And Magnetic Fields Lesson Plan for Grade 11th Grade

Lesson Preview

Learning Objective

I can explain the relationship between electric current and magnetic fields.

1
Hans Christian Oersted discovered the connection between electricity and magnetism when he noticed a compass needle moving near a current-carrying wire.
2
Magnetic fields are measured in teslas, and magnetic field lines always form closed loops, unlike electric fields.
3
The force on a single electric charge moving through a magnetic field depends on the charge's magnitude, velocity, the strength of the magnetic field, and the angle between the velocity and the magnetic field.

Electric Current and Magnetic Fields

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Learning Objective

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Key Concepts

Practice Questions

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