Module 4 Electricity and Magnetism

Content Focus

We are introduced to static electricity, electrical circuits and magnetic fields. These separate phenomena are drawn together in Module 6 Electromagnetism.

"Atomic theory and the laws of conservation of energy and electric charge are unifying concepts in understanding the electrical and magnetic properties and behaviour of matter. Interactions resulting from these properties and behaviour can be understood and analysed in terms of electric fields represented by lines. Students use these representations and mathematical models to make predictions about the behaviour of objects, and explore the limitations of the models.

"Students also examine how the analysis of electrical circuits’ behaviour and the transfer and conversion of energy in electrical circuits has led to a variety of technological applications."

NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) (2017), Physics Stage 6 Syllabus, p. 45.

Biblical Perspective

James Clerk Maxwell is one of the giants of physics whose discovery, called Maxwell’s Equations, unified the fundamental forces. He discovered that electricity and magnetism are actually, at the deepest level, the same force – the electromagnetic force. In doing so, Maxwell proved that light is an electromagnetic wave and so linked electricity, magnetism and optics.

He attended high school in Edinburgh – Edinburgh Academy – where he published his first academic paper, ‘Oval Curves,’ at the age of just 14. By this age, he had also completely memorised the Bible. Maxwell was a Christian who, like Isaac Newton, saw no disagreements between his science and his faith.

This discovery of the relationship between electricity and magnetism by a Christian is not a coincidence. Indeed, it could be called a "God-incident". When God said, "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3), the whole electromagnetic spectrum came into existence. That's one BIG BANG! Humans live in the light of this event, literally. As a result, we discover more and more of God's beautiful universe. He has made orange and mauve colours go together spectacularly in an evening sunset. He holds all things in his hands. Maxwell's equations are used by physicists to make motors and generators that we use every day.

For a Biblical Perspective of Advanced Mechanics, click here.

Reference: https://www.famousscientists.org/james-clerk-maxwell/.

Inquiry Questions

Electrostatics

How do charged objects interact with other charged objects and with neutral objects?

Electric Circuits

How do the processes of the transfer and the transformation of energy occur in electric circuits?

Magnetism

How do magnetised and magnetic objects interact?