A magnet made by running current through a coil of wire round an iron core.

An electromagnet that loses its magnetism when current stops flowing through it.

A lock that can be opened with an electromagnet when a switch is closed.

A bell that uses an electromagnet to strike a clapper on the bell and which resets itself to keep ringing.

A motor that uses a magnetic field to produce a force.

Applications of electromagnets

Combined science

In the Magnets and electromagnets unit, pupils learnt about rules for magnets, magnetic fields of bar magnets, and the properties and uses of electromagnets. 

Electromagnetism

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

A magnet that never loses its magnetism is called a permanent magnet. An electromagnet that loses its magnetism when current stops flowing is called a {{}} magnet.

The diagram shows an electric bell. Match each label with the name of the part.

The spring pushes upwards on the armature.

The spring pulls downwards on the armature.

The circuit is complete for all of the time that the switch is held down.

When the circuit is complete, current flows between the clapper and the bell.

The diagram shows an electric bell. Which of the following statements are correct?

Each time the armature moves up, the circuit is broken.

Each time the armature moves down, the circuit is broken.

Each time the circuit is broken, the spring moves the armature up.

Each time the circuit is broken, the spring moves the armature down.

Each time the circuit is completed, the spring moves the armature down.

The diagram shows an electric bell. A person holds the switch down. Which of the following statements are correct?

The door is locked while the electromagnet is switched on.

The door is unlocked while the electromagnet is switched on.

The diagram shows an electromagnetic door lock. Which of the following statements are correct?

An electric motor uses a current in a magnetic field to produce a force.

An electric motor uses a force acting on a current to produce a magnetic field.

An electric motor uses a force acting on a magnetic field to produce a current.

Which of the following statements is correct?

A single loop of wire in a coil is also called a __________.

A piece of unmagnetised steel would be attracted to __________ of an electromagnet.

It is easy to magnetise and easy to demagnetise.

It is easy to magnetise and hard to demagnetise.

It is hard to magnetise and easy to demagnetise.

It is hard to magnetise and hard to demagnetise.

Some magnetic materials are described as ‘soft’. Which of the following statements about a soft magnetic material is correct?

using wire made of a non-magnetic material

using wire made of a soft magnetic material

using wire made of a magnetic material (which does not have to be soft)

An electromagnet is made by winding a wire around a soft iron core. Which of the following is necessary for the electromagnet to work?

moving the turns of the coil closer together

A coil of wire carries a current of 0.5 A. Which of the following changes would increase the strength of the magnetic field around the wire?

An electromagnet with a pure iron core is used to pick up small pieces of steel. Which of the following statements explain why some pieces stay stuck to the electromagnet after it is switched off?

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - equipment

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Applications of electromagnets

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.