ScienceVerseLearning path: Magnetism
The concepts to learn before Magnetism, in order. Each step links to its page and, where one exists, its quiz.
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Your path
- ForcesDirect prerequisite
A push or pull interaction between two objects, capable of changing an object's velocity. Newton's three laws of motion describe how forces and motion relate: a body keeps its state of motion unless acted on by a net force (first law), net force equals mass times acceleration, F = ma (second law), and forces between two bodies are equal and opposite (third law).
- ElectricityDirect prerequisite
Electricity is the behaviour of electric charge, and an electric current is charge flowing round a complete circuit, measured in amperes. A battery's potential difference (voltage) pushes the current, resistance opposes it, and for many materials they are linked by Ohm's law, V = IR. Circuits transfer energy at a rate P = IV; resistors add in series and combine as reciprocals in parallel. Mains electricity can kill and is never used for experiments.
- MagnetismYour goal
Magnetism is the push and pull between magnets, and between moving charges, carried by a magnetic field measured in teslas. Every magnet has a north and a south pole that cannot be separated; like poles repel and unlike poles attract. Electric currents create magnetic fields, and changing magnetic fields create currents — the link that powers generators and, together with electricity, explains light.