Hats On

 In A-Level Computing, we are transforming a Raspberry Pi with different HATs to turn a general-purpose computer into a specialised tool for specific tasks. A great way to demonstrate how adaptable and task-focused computers can be!​

Extraction of Ores

 Extraction of iron ore on a miniature scale. The iron oxide was not magnetic, but heat it on a splint with some calcium carbonate very strongly, and we get some small magnetic particles, which are probably iron filings.

Length vs Resistance

 Measuring resistance vs length in a wire using @pascoscientific wireless sensors: ultrasonic for distance, voltage & current for resistance. With an offset for distance, we plotted a graph in seconds, revealing the linear relationship between wire length and resistance. #Physics

Arithmetic Sequences

 Want to impress your students? Summing numbers 1 to 100 is a great example. Young Karl Gauss solved it in record time by discovering a formula that works every time. His method is now a staple in Maths education worldwide!

André-Marie Ampère

André-Marie Ampère, the 'Father of Electrodynamics,' discovered that parallel wires carrying current exert forces on each other attracting when currents flow in the same direction and repelling when they flow oppositely. His work laid the foundation for modern electromagnetism!

André-Marie Ampère and His Discovery of Forces Between Wires

In the world of physics, few names shine as brightly as that of André-Marie Ampère. Known as the "Father of Electrodynamics," Ampère’s groundbreaking work in the early 19th century laid the foundation for much of our understanding of electromagnetism. Among his many contributions, one of the most fascinating and influential was his discovery of the forces between current-carrying wires. This insight not only expanded our understanding of the natural world but also paved the way for countless modern technologies, from electric motors to telecommunications.

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The Scientific Landscape of Ampère’s Time

Ampère’s work came at a time of rapid scientific progress. In 1820, the Danish physicist Hans Christian Ørsted made a pivotal discovery: a current-carrying wire generates a magnetic field. This revelation connected the seemingly unrelated phenomena of electricity and magnetism and sparked a wave of research across Europe. Inspired by Ørsted’s findings, Ampère began his own investigations into the relationship between electricity and magnetism.

While Ørsted had shown that an electric current produces a magnetic field, Ampère took the next step. He asked a deeper question:

What happens when two wires, each carrying an electric current, interact with each other?

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The Experiment and Discovery

Ampère’s experiments were elegant and precise. Using parallel wires, he observed their behaviour when currents flowed through them. Here’s what he discovered:

1. Attraction: When currents in two parallel wires flow in the same direction, the wires attract each other.

2. Repulsion: When currents flow in opposite directions, the wires repel each other.

This discovery was monumental. Ampère had shown that electric currents produce not just magnetic fields but also forces that act between the currents themselves. This phenomenon was later quantified as the Ampère’s Force Law, a cornerstone of electrodynamics.

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Understanding the Forces

The forces between the wires can be explained using the concept of magnetic fields:

• Each current-carrying wire generates a magnetic field around it.

• When two wires are placed near each other, the magnetic field produced by one wire interacts with the current in the other wire.

• Depending on the direction of the currents, this interaction results in either an attractive or repulsive force.

Mathematically, the force per unit length between two long, straight, parallel wires can be expressed as:

Where:

• : Force per unit length

• : Permeability of free space

• and : Currents in the two wires

• : Distance between the wires

This equation not only provided a quantitative description of the forces but also became a fundamental part of electromagnetic theory.

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Impact and Applications

Ampère’s discovery of the forces between wires had far-reaching implications. It provided experimental evidence for the unity of electricity and magnetism, which later culminated in James Clerk Maxwell’s equations of electromagnetism. Ampère’s work also inspired the development of key technologies:

• Electric Motors and Generators: The interaction between currents and magnetic fields is at the heart of electric motors and generators, which power modern industry and transportation.

• Electromagnetic Communication: Understanding the principles of electromagnetism paved the way for technologies like telegraphs, radios, and later, the internet.

• SI Unit of Current: In honour of his contributions, the SI unit of electric current, the ampere (A), is named after him.

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Ampère’s Legacy

Beyond his experimental discoveries, Ampère also developed a rigorous theoretical framework to explain the interaction of currents and magnetic fields. His formulation of what is now known as Ampère’s Law is a cornerstone of Maxwell’s equations, which describe how electric and magnetic fields propagate and interact.

Ampère’s insights transformed the study of physics, bridging the gap between electricity and magnetism and unlocking a new era of technological innovation. His work remains a testament to the power of curiosity, precision, and the drive to uncover the hidden forces of nature.

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Conclusion

The discovery of forces between current-carrying wires was a defining moment in the history of science, and André-Marie Ampère’s contributions continue to resonate today. From the theoretical foundations of electromagnetism to the practical applications that power our modern world, his legacy is as enduring as the forces he uncovered. The next time you switch on a light, charge your phone, or use any electric device, remember the genius who helped make it all possible.

Photosynthesis

GCSE Biology: Clean pondweed from my pond was acclimatised to the lab environment, where it thrived and generated measurable oxygen output for the photosynthesis experiment.

Family Structure

                

​Family structures have changed dramatically over time, a key topic in A-level Sociology. This 1900 photo of my family's grandparents and children in one house highlights how multigenerational living once shaped family life.