Electric Current and Magnetic Fields

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Objective

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

Part 1 of 4

Warm-up video

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We don't generate video — this one is by CrashCourse on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.

Part 2 of 4

Key concepts

3 concepts

  1. 1

    Hans Christian Oersted discovered the connection between electricity and magnetism when he noticed a compass needle moving near a current-carrying wire.

  2. 2

    Magnetic fields are measured in teslas, and magnetic field lines always form closed loops, unlike electric fields.

  3. 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.

Part 3 of 4

Practice

8 questions

1

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

2

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

Part 4 of 4

Exit ticket

Quick comprehension check

Describe the relationship between electric current and magnetic fields, as demonstrated by Oersted's experiment. Include the direction of the magnetic field relative to the current.

Sample answer included in the free materials

Get the materials

Teacher guide, student handout, and slides — free, in Google Docs format

  • Teacher Guide

    Complete lesson plan with answer keys and alternate activities

  • Student Handout

    Printable worksheet

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