Some students begin to think of magnets ‘pulling on’ objects and to be aware of action at a distance

Electricity and Magnetism

Misconception RESEARCH REVIEW

Resources to Address This

  • The Magnetic Force and the Magnetic Field (11-14)

    To help solidify the idea of magnetism as a force which acts at a distance, you can use this activity to introduce the idea of a magnetic field as a region of space where forces are exerted. 

    View Resource
  • Magnetic fields (14-16)

    The magnetic field fills the space around a magnet, establishing a region within which the magnet will attract or repel another magnet. This activity explores some of the issues students have with this idea.

    View Resource
  • Magnetic shielding (11-16)

    At a low level, this activity can simply serve to emphasize the difference between magnetic and non-magnetic materials, and the idea that forces can act at a distance, even through other objects (such as plastic).

References

  • Selman, R. L., Krupa, M. P., Stone, C. R. and Jaquette, D. S. () Concrete Operational Thought and the Emergence of the Concept of Unseen Force in Children’s Theories of Electromagnetism and Gravity. Science Education, 66 (2), 181-194.

  • Finley, F. N. () Evaluating instruction: The complementary use of clinical interviews. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 23 (17), 635-650.

Limit Less Campaign

Support our manifesto for change

The IOP wants to support young people to fulfil their potential by doing physics. Please sign the manifesto today so that we can show our politicians there is widespread support for improving equity and inclusion across the education sector.

Sign today