San Antonio College Library

"In this Very Short Introduction, Stephen J. Blundell illuminates the mysterious force of magnetism. For centuries, magnetism has been used for various purposes--through compasses it gave us the ability to navigate, and through motors, generators, and turbines, it has given us power. Blundell explores our understanding of electricity and magnetism, from the work of Galvani, Ampere, Faraday, and Tesla, and describes how Maxwell and Faraday's work led...

Beginning with lodestones and ending with MagLev trains, this program introduces viewers to magnetic theory, magnetic fields and poles, the Earth as a magnet, electromagnets and electric motors, and magnets in everyday life. Experiments, animated graphics, and footage of applied magnetism are used to reinforce these essential scientific concepts.

This lively program presents the 1998 Faraday Lecture, which explains how the discovery of the electron by J.J. Thomson profoundly impacted both everyday life and scientific innovation. Combining stimulating on-stage experiments, computer graphics, interviews, and even a visit to CERN, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics, the program illustrates the principles of electrostatics and electromagnetism, examines the workings of the cathode ray...

Long one of nature's most fascinating phenomena, magnetism was once the subject of many superstitions. Magnets were thought useful to thieves, effective as a love potion, or as a cure for gout or spasms. They could remove sorcery from women and put demons to flight and even reconcile married couples. It was said that a lodestone pickled in the salt of sucking fish had the power to attract gold. Today, these beliefs have been put aside, but magnetism...

Not if, but when. Anyone who spends much time thinking about nuclear terrorism can whip up countless diabolical scenarios: entire cities vaporized and millions of people eliminated without a trace. Now imagine something equally chilling. Picture an instantaneous deathblow to the vital engines that power our society - delivered by a weapon specifically designed not to kill humans, but to kill electronics. It's called a high-altitude electromagnetic...

We can scarcely imagine a world devoid of electricity, but today's power grids and high-tech home appliances would never have come to pass without the bold experiments of one ambitious Englishman. This program illustrates the life and accomplishments of Michael Faraday, a self-educated member of the Georgian-era working class who made groundbreaking discoveries about electromagnetism and became a world-famous scientist. Beginning with his birth in...

Showing how interactions between magnetic fields lead to the production of motion, this program introduces viewers to the inner workings of DC motors. Topics include the work of Hans Christian Oersted, the creation of the first electric motor by Michael Faraday, and the rules for predicting field direction and forces on current carriers. The construction of a simple DC electric motor is shown with helpful graphics and 3-D animation sequences explaining...

The questions in the second physics review will continue to help you refresh and practice the concepts related to permanent magnets, fields created by moving charge, magnetic field lines, right hand rule, distinguish between magnetic and electric fields, electromagnetic induction, flux, and electric motors.

This program explores the basic principles behind the operation of AC and DC motors. An explanation is given about how one or more fixed magnets, either permanent or electromagnetic, can cause linear movement or rotation of a current-carrying wire. A hand rule is developed to predict motor force. Motor torque is explained as a prelude to the practical design of a direct current motor. Specific modules include Motors and Magnets, Current and Magnet...

This Science Screen Report studies the physical force known as electromagnetism and how it encircles, interacts with, and is generated by matter. Demonstrating attractive and repulsive forces with iron filings suspended in liquid, the program explains the significance of a magnet's poles and why some materials are more magnetic than others. The electromagnetic fields of the Earth and Sun are also explored, with attention to magnetism's role in animal...