Magnetism and electromagnetism – GCSE AQA Higher Physics revision notes

What this topic covers

Magnetism and electromagnetism has 3 subtopics:

• Permanent and induced magnetism, magnetic forces and fields
• The motor effect
• Induced potential, transformers and the National Grid (physics only) (HT only)

Magnetism and electromagnetism lessons by subtopic

19 lessons, grouped by subtopic.

Permanent and induced magnetism, magnetic forces and fields

• Magnetic Poles and Forces: Explore the attraction and repulsion between magnetic poles, and the concept of magnetic forces as non-contact forces.
• Permanent vs. Induced Magnets: Understand the difference between permanent and induced magnets, how induced magnetism works, and the properties of each type.
• Introduction to Magnetic Fields: Learn about magnetic fields, their properties, and how they interact with magnets and magnetic materials.
• Plotting Magnetic Field Patterns: Discover how to map magnetic fields using a compass and understand the field patterns around a bar magnet.
• Earth's Magnetic Field and Compasses: Explore the relationship between a magnetic compass, Earth's magnetic field, and evidence of a magnetic core.

The motor effect

• Understanding Electric Motors: Learn how a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field rotates, forming the basis of an electric motor, and explain the force causing this rotation.
• The Motor Effect and Fleming's Left Hand Rule: Learn about the motor effect and how Fleming's left-hand rule helps determine the direction of force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field.
• Factors Affecting Force on a Conductor: Explore the factors that influence the magnitude of the force on a conductor within a magnetic field.
• Currents and Magnetic Fields: Explore the magnetic fields created by electric currents and how to visualise them.
• Solenoids and Electromagnets: Investigate how solenoids and electromagnets work, including how to increase their magnetic field strength.
• Loudspeakers and Headphones: Converting Electricity to Sound: Explore how loudspeakers and headphones use the motor effect to transform electrical signals into sound waves. Understand the function of each component in a moving-coil loudspeaker and headphones, and explain how they work together to produce sound.

Induced potential, transformers and the National Grid (physics only) (HT only)

• The Generator Effect: Learn how moving a conductor in a magnetic field induces a potential difference and current.
• Factors Affecting Induced Potential: Explore the factors that affect the size and direction of induced potential difference and induced current.
• Microphones and the Generator Effect: Explore how microphones use the generator effect to convert sound waves into electrical signals.
• AC and DC Generators: Learn how the generator effect produces alternating current (AC) in alternators and direct current (DC) in dynamos.
• Interpreting Generator Graphs: Learn to draw and interpret graphs of potential difference against time for AC and DC generators.
• Introduction to Transformers: Learn about the basic components and operation of transformers, including how they use alternating current to induce current in another coil. Also, explore the role of iron in transformers.
• Voltage and Turns Ratio in Transformers: Explore the relationship between the potential differences and the number of turns in the primary and secondary coils of a transformer. Understand step-up and step-down transformers.
• Transformer Efficiency and Power: Learn to calculate the current drawn from the input supply for a given power output, and apply the transformer equation to understand power transfer. Relate these concepts to the advantages of power transmission at high potential differences.

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More in this course

Go back to the full GCSE AQA Higher Physics topic list, or practise this topic with past-paper questions.