IOPSpark: Many students are unable to accurately represent a magnetic field using field linesThis resource from the Institute of Physics suggests students may have conceptual difficulty understanding field line representations of magnetic field because we should start the unit with a compass needle simulation, rather than the more traditional iron filing sprinkles around a magnet. Check it out. This page provides five distinct free-access lessons designed to address this precise student difficulty. It also has links to the research-based evidence used by the authors to back up what they recommend.
IOPSpark: Some students conflate magnetic and electrostatic effectsOne of the most stubborn misconceptions among both students and pre-service science teachers is that magnetic fields and electric fields are the "same stuff", behave in the same way, and can be visualized as almost identical things. This page from IOPSpark shows you the research behind the erroneous notions. NOTE: The lesson plan developed for this DigiKit, "Energy In a Magnetic Field" is intended, in part, to help dispel the myth that Magnetic Field = Electric Field. Click "Lesson" in the top navigation bar to download the lesson with answer key.
IOPSpark: Many students have difficulty predicting the direction of the force in electromagnetismTo tackle erroneous notions about direction of force in magnetic fields, this IOP module features a tutorial, tips for leading class discussions on electromagnetic force, and a truly impressive demo called "Catapult Magnetic Field". The demo uses materials you already have in science class, with the possible exception of "Magnadur" magnets, available for <$20 for a set of 4. The demo produces two combined magnetic fields -- then you apply electricity and the force makes iron filings "catapult" from the stronger-to-weaker field.
IOPSpark: Many students are slow to adopt the idea of magnetic polesIn this page, the Institute of Physics provides two tutorials and one lab to specifically address students' difficulties in understanding magnetic effects in terms of attraction of unlike poles and repulsion of like poles. The aim of this module is to provide diagrams to help students visualize this basic yet crucial aspect of magnetism. This resource is appropriate for learners who are struggling with a high school curriculum in electricity and magnetism.