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Schemes of Work
QCA

Science at key stage 3    (Year 8)

Unit 8J: Magnets and electromagnets

QCA
About this unit

In this unit pupils:

  • identify magnetic materials, make a magnet and test the strength of a magnet
  • use the concepts of a magnetic field, a permanent magnet and an electromagnet
  • investigate factors affecting the strength of an electromagnet
  • explain the working of a number of devices that use magnets and electromagnets

In scientific enquiry pupils:

  • use scientific knowledge and understanding to make predictions about the behaviour of magnets and magnetic material
  • use preliminary work to find out whether an approach is practicable
  • investigate the strength of an electromagnet, controlling relevant variables and evaluating the limitations of the data collected

This unit is expected to take approximately 7 hours.


Sections in this unit

This unit is divided into sections. Each section contains a sequence of activities with related objectives and outcomes. You can view this unit by moving through the sections or print/download the whole unit.
1. a. What can a magnet do?
2. b. What can a magnet do?
3. a. Can magnetism be stopped? Can magnets be made?
4. b. Can magnetism be stopped? Can magnets be made?
5. a. What is a magnetic field?
6. b. What is a magnetic field?
7. c. What is a magnetic field?
8. d. What is a magnetic field?
9. Checking progress
10. a. How can electricity make a magnet?
11. b. How can electricity make a magnet?
12. How can we explain how electromagnets work?
13. Reviewing work