Concept Map of Electric and Magnetic Fields
Concept maps help instructors and students visualize and connect the relationships in physics. They help us to build a conceptual framework that connects big ideas and makes it easier to "understand" how things fit together. By developing a sound conceptual framework we can make it easier to add "new" information; in addition, it makes retrieval and application of that knowledge more accessible. Thus, physics does not appear of mess of disconnected ideas with lots of facts that have to be memorized.
In this example, we see how the production and interactions of electric and magnetic fields are closely linked. You can see that there is a good deal of symmetry in the properties of the two types of fields; but note there are some fundamental differences.
You can download a copy of this concept map (in pdf format).
