Physics: A Magnetic Attraction

Objectives

• Students will map and describe the magnetic field around a permanent magnet or electromagnet.
• Students will determine the direction and strength of the force a magnet exerts on a current-carrying wire or loop.

Vocabulary

• magnetic field
• magnetic permeability constant
• magnetic moment

About the Lesson

In this activity, students will investigate the relationship between magnetic field strength and distance.
As a result, students will:

• Develop a mathematical model of magnetic field strength.
• Use the model to calculate the magnetic moment of the field.