Physics

Electricity and Magnetism

Magnetic attraction

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
attract		Two things pulling towards each other.
cobalt	cO-balt	A metal that is a magnetic material.
iron		A metal that is a magnetic material.
magnet		Something that can attract magnetic materials.
magnetic materials		Materials that are attracted to a magnet; iron, cobalt, nickel and steel are all magnetic materials.
magnetism		A non-contact force.
nickel		A metal that is a magnetic material.
north pole		One end of a magnet. This ends points north if the magnet can move.
repel		Push away.
south pole		One end of a magnet.
steel		A mixture made mainly from iron; it is a magnetic material.

Pointing north

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
bar magnet		A straight magnet, shaped like a small bar.
compass		A magnetised piece of metal that can swing around – it points north.
north-seeking pole		The end of a magnet that points north if the magnet can move freely. Often just called the north pole.
south-seeking pole		The end of a magnet that points south if the magnet can move freely. Often just called the south pole.

Force field

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
iron filings	f-eye-lings	Tiny pieces of iron that are sometimes used to find the shape of a magnetic
		field.
magnetic field		The space around a magnet where it can affect magnetic materials or other
		magnets.
north magnetic pole		The place on the Earth where compasses point (it is not in the same place as
		the North Pole marked on maps).
plotting compass		A small compass used for finding the direction of a magnetic field.

Sounds magnetic/Keep your distance

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
armature		The iron part of a relay that moves when electricity is flowing in the solenoid
		(or electromagnet).
electromagnet		A coil of wire with electricity flowing in it. An electromagnet has a magnetic
		field like a bar magnet.
make and break		The switch in an electric bell that opens and closes. It is operated by an
switch		electromagnet that breaks the circuit whenever it is switched on.
permanent magnet		A magnet that keeps its magnetism – it does not depend on electricity.
reed switch		A switch made from two thin pieces of metal, which closes when it is in a
		magnetic field.
relay		A switch that is switched on and off by electricity.
solenoid		A coil of wire.

Coils and cores

Word	Pronunciation	Meaning
core		A solid bar inside an electromagnet – usually made of iron.