Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 2

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Define electromagnetism and its significance.
• Describe the relationship between electric and magnetic fields.
• Calculate the force on a charged particle in an electric field.
• Explain how electromagnets work and their applications.
• Understand and apply the right-hand rule.

Lesson summary

Welcome, students! Today, we are exploring a fascinating principle that powers many devices we use every day in Ghana. Have you ever wondered what makes an electric fan spin to cool us down during the hot season? Or how a blender's blades rotate to grind pepper and tomatoes for our stews? The answer lies in Electromagnetism, specifically the force that a magnet exerts on a wire carrying electricity. This principle, known as the motor effect, is the heart of every electric motor. Understanding it helps us appreciate the technology that makes our lives easier, from the water pumps in our communities to the speakers that play our favourite highlife music.

Lesson notes

Concept 1: The Motor Effect

We already know two things: A magnet creates a region of influence around it called a magnetic field. We can visualise this with magnetic field lines running from the North pole to the South pole. An electric current flowing through a wire also creates its own magnetic field. This field consists of concentric circles around the wire.

The Motor Effect occurs when these two fields interact. When a wire carrying an electric current is placed inside an external magnetic field (e.g., between the poles of a magnet), the magnetic field from the wire and the external magnetic field "push" against each other. This interaction results in a physical force on the wire, causing it to move.

In simple terms: Magnetism + Electricity = Motion (Force).

Evaluation guide

• Physics
• 107Teaching and
• Learning
• Resource s