Vocab
Something that electricity travels through easily
Conductor (Bonus name two conductors)
The flow of electrons through a wire.
Electric current
The study of the properties and interactions of magnets.
Magnetism
A device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.
Electric motor
One reason electromagnets are more useful than permanent magnets
They can be turned on and off
Groups of atoms with aligned magnetic poles inside a magnet.
Magnetic domains
A complete path that electric current follows.
Circuit
How many poles does every magnet have?
Two
A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Generator
List one everyday object that uses an electromagnet or solenoid.
Doorbell, speaker, electric motor, junkyard crane, relay (any one)
The ends of a magnet where the force is strongest.
Magnetic poles
Current that flows in only one direction.
Direct Current
Lines used to represent the shape and direction of a magnetic field.
Magnetic field lines
Creating electricity by moving a magnet near a conductor.
Electric induction
One way to increase the strength of an electromagnet.
Add more coils / increase current / use an iron core
A coil of wire that produces a magnetic field when current flows through it.
Solenoid
Current that repeatedly changes direction.
Alternating current (AC)
A region where magnetic effects can be felt around a magnet.
Magnetic field
A spinning object (often moved by wind, water, or steam) that provides energy to a generator.
Turbine
What happens to a bar magnet if the current in an electromagnet is reversed?
The bar magnet would flip direction or switch attraction/repulsion
A temporary magnet made by wrapping a wire around an iron core and running electricity through it.
Electromagnet
Electricity flowing through a wire always creates this invisible field around the wire.
Magnetic field
The force between two magnets depends on these two factors.
Distance between magnets and magnet strength
Name two major parts of an electric motor.
Coil/solenoid and permanent magnets (or electromagnet)
Name two ways a permanent magnet can be ruined.
Heating it up, dropping it.