Exploratorium: Snacks About Magnetism - Circles of Magnetism I

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published by the Exploratorium

This activity created by the Exploratorium Museum demonstrates the magnetic field induced by a current-carrying wire. A group of compasses are arranged around a wire. An electric current passing through the wire creates a magnetic field stronger than the earth's field (in the region close to the wire). The Exploratorium "Snacks" are miniature versions of popular exhibits at the museum that can be easily set up or performed in school or home settings. Materials needed, assembly, an explanation of the physics that occurs and a description of the right-hand rule are also provided.

https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/circles-of-magnetism

Subjects	Levels	Resource Types
Electricity & Magnetism - Magnetic Fields and Forces = Force on Wires	- High School - Middle School - Informal Education	- Instructional Material = Activity = Laboratory

Appropriate Courses	Categories	Ratings
- Physical Science - Physics First - Conceptual Physics - Algebra-based Physics	- Activity - Laboratory - New teachers	Currently 0.0/5 Want to rate this material? Login here!

Intended Users:: Educator
Learner
Format:: text/html
Access Rights:: Free access
Restriction:: © 2006 Exploratorium
Keywords:: compass, magnetic field line, magnetic force, magnetism activity, magnetism experiment, magnetism lab, right-hand rule
Record Creator:: Metadata instance created June 13, 2006 by Ann Deml
Record Updated:: August 2, 2016 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update when Cataloged:: September 14, 2007
Other Collections:: The Physics To Go

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AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)

4. The Physical Setting

4G. Forces of Nature

6-8: 4G/M3. Electric currents and magnets can exert a force on each other.

AAAS Benchmark Alignments (1993 Version)

4. THE PHYSICAL SETTING

F. Motion

4F (9-12) #3. Accelerating electric charges produce electromagnetic waves around them. A great variety of radiations are electromagnetic waves: radio waves, microwaves, radiant heat, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, x rays, and gamma rays. These wavelengths vary from radio waves, the longest, to gamma rays, the shortest. In empty space, all electromagnetic waves move at the same speed?the "speed of light."

G. Forces of Nature

4G (9-12) #5. Magnetic forces are very closely related to electric forces and can be thought of as different aspects of a single electromagnetic force. Moving electric charges produce magnetic forces and moving magnets produce electric forces. The interplay of electric and magnetic forces is the basis for electric motors, generators, and many other modern technologies, including the production of electromagnetic waves.

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<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=3752">Exploratorium. Exploratorium: Snacks About Magnetism - Circles of Magnetism I. San Francisco: Exploratorium, September 14, 2007.</a>

AIP Format

(Exploratorium, San Francisco, 2006), WWW Document, (https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/circles-of-magnetism).

AJP/PRST-PER

Exploratorium: Snacks About Magnetism - Circles of Magnetism I (Exploratorium, San Francisco, 2006), <https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/circles-of-magnetism>.

APA Format

Exploratorium: Snacks About Magnetism - Circles of Magnetism I. (2007, September 14). Retrieved March 19, 2025, from Exploratorium: https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/circles-of-magnetism

Chicago Format

Exploratorium. Exploratorium: Snacks About Magnetism - Circles of Magnetism I. San Francisco: Exploratorium, September 14, 2007. https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/circles-of-magnetism (accessed 19 March 2025).

MLA Format

Exploratorium: Snacks About Magnetism - Circles of Magnetism I. San Francisco: Exploratorium, 2006. 14 Sep. 2007. 19 Mar. 2025 <https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/circles-of-magnetism>.

BibTeX Export Format

@misc{ Title = {Exploratorium: Snacks About Magnetism - Circles of Magnetism I}, Publisher = {Exploratorium}, Volume = {2025}, Number = {19 March 2025}, Month = {September 14, 2007}, Year = {2006} }

Refer Export Format

%T Exploratorium: Snacks About Magnetism - Circles of Magnetism I %D September 14, 2007 %I Exploratorium %C San Francisco %U https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/circles-of-magnetism %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source %D September 14, 2007 %T Exploratorium: Snacks About Magnetism - Circles of Magnetism I %I Exploratorium %V 2025 %N 19 March 2025 %8 September 14, 2007 %9 text/html %U https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/circles-of-magnetism

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