3.1 MAGNETIC EFFECT OF A CURRENT-CARRYING CONDUCTOR What is an electromagnet?

An electromagnet can be made by sending an electric current through a coil of wire wound around an iron core. When a current flows through the coil, it produces a magnetic field. The soft iron corebecomes temporarily magnetized when the current is switched on. When the current is switched off, it loses its magnetism.

What is a magnetic field pattern? A magnetic field pattern can be represented by field lines that show the shape of the field. Magnetic field lines which are close together represent a strong field. The field direction is defined as the direction indicated by a compass needle placed in the magnetic field.

Determine the direction of the magnetic field around a current carrying wire The Right-Hand Grip Rule Grip the wire using the right hand, with your thumb pointing in the direction of the current. Your other fingers now point round the wire in the direction of the magnetic field. When the direction of the current is reversed, the magnetic field direction also is reversed.

Factor Affecting the Strenght of the Magnetic Field of an Electromagnet. An electromagnet with a greater number of turns of the coil has a stronger magnetic field. The magnetic field become stronger when the size of the current increased. The use of soft iron core helps to concrete the magnetic filed line to produce a stronger magnetic field. Cores made of alloys such as Alnico (aluminium-nickle-cobalt) can produce stronger magnetic field.

Application of Electromagnet Electric Bell When the bell push is pressed, a current flows in the coils of the electromagnet, causing it to be magnetized. The magnetized electromagnet attracts the soft-iron armature, causing the hammer to strike the gong. The movement of the armature breaks the contact and causes the electromagnet to lose it magnetism. The light spring pulls the armature back, remaking the contact and completing the circuit again. The cycle is repeated so long as the bell push is pressed and continuous ringing occurs.

Magnetic Relay
A solenoid switch worked by an electromagnet. It is used in a circuit which controls the operation of another circuit, especially if the current is large in the second circuit. Circuit 1 requires only a small current . The movement of the iron armature closes the contacts in the second circuit. Circuit 2 is now switched on. Circuit 2 may have a large current flowing through it to operate powerful motors or very bright lights. Causing the soft-iron core to be magnetized and attracts the amarture The advantage of using a relay is that a small current (circuit 1) can be used to switch on and off a circuit with a large current (circuit 2). This is useful for two reasons: circuit 1 may contain a component such as a light detecting resistor (LDR), which uses small currents. Only the circuit with a large current needs to be connected with thick wire.

Telephone Ear-piece
The varying current from the microphone flows through the coils of an electromagnet in the earpiece. This pulls the iron diaphragm towards the electromagnet by a distance which depends on the current As a result, the diaphragm moves in and out and produces sound waves that are replicas of those that entered the microphone

Circuit Breaker
Acts as an automatic switch that breaks open a circuit when the current becomes too large. In a household circuit, the current may become excessive when there is a short circuit or an overload. The strength of the magnetic field of the electromagnet increases suddenly. The soft iron armature is pulled towards the electromagnet. This results in the spring pulling apart the contacts. The circuit is broken and the current flow stops immediately. After repairs have been made, the reset button is pushed to switch on the supply again.

THE FORCE ON A CURRENT-CARRYING CONDUCT MAGNETIC FIELD

Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor
An electric current produces a magnetic field around it. When a wire carries an electric current through another magnetic field, a force is exerted on the wire. The magnetic force on a current-carrying conductor is in a magnetic field is due to the combination of the magnetic field due to the current in the conductor and the external magnetic field to produce a resultant magnetic field. The direction of the magnetic force, F, acting on the wire can be determined by using Flemings left-hand rule.

Flemings Left Hand Rule

If the forefinger, second finger and the thumb of the left hand are extended at right angles to each other, with the forefinger in the direction of the magnetic field, the second finger in the direction of the current, then the thumb will point the direction of the force, F or motion.

How a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field experiences a force.

The magnadur magnets produce a uniform, parallel magnetic field. The current-carrying vertical wire produces a circular magnetic field around itself. The two fields interact to produce a resultant magnetic field known as a catapult field. Upward, the two fields are in the same direction and they produce a stronger combined field. Downward, the two fields act in opposite directions and the combined field is weaker. The wire carrying a current thus experiences a resultant force in the direction from the stronger to the weaker field, i.e from upward to downward.

Factors that affect the magnitude of the force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field.
The magnitude of the force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field depends on: I. The size of the current in the conductor II. The strength of the magnetic field

The Direct Current Motor

The direct current motor uses the turning effect on a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field. Commutator: reverse the direction of current in the coil every half rotation so that the coil continues to turn in same direction Carbon Brush: to contact with the commutator so the current from the battery enters the coil. Spring: push the brush so it will always contact with the commutator.

The direction of the two forces acted on the coil

1. When current flows through the horizontal coil, magnetic field is produced around it. The interaction between the magnetic field of the current and the magnetic field of the permanent magnet produces a catapult field and 2 turning force. The direction of the force is determined by Flemings left-hand rule. The two forces produce a couple which rotates the coil.

2. When the coil gets to the upright position, the contact between the carbon brushes with the commutator is broken. There is no turning force on it because no current flows in the coil. But the coil continues to rotate because of its inertia. 3.When the coil in a horizontal position again, the sides of the coil changes position. The commutator reverses the direction of the current in the coil to ensure that the forces on the coil turn the coil in one direction only. So the coil is still rotating in the same direction. 4. The above processes are repeated and the motor continues to rotate.

Factors which affect the speed of rotation of the motor

Factors Increasing the size of current Increasing the strenght of magnetic field. Increasing the number of turn Increasing the area of the coil Speed of Rotation of the Motor Increase Increase Increase Increase

ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION
Electromagnetic induction is the production of an electric current by a changing magnetic field. The induced current is produced only when there is relative motion between the conductor / coil and the magnetic field lines.

How induced current is produced?

The relative motion of a conductor across a magnetic field can be produced by: a) Moving a straight wire quickly across a magnetic field between two flat magnets.

b) Moving a permanent magnet towards one end of a solenoid.

Each time the straight wire cuts across the magnetic field, or the permanent magnet moves towards the solenoid, a current is induced in the coil and a deflection is observed in the sensitive galvanometer. This current is called induced current. The electromotive force that is produced is called the induced e.m.f.

Indicate the direction of the induced current in a straight wire Flemings right-hand rule:

If the thumb and the first two fingers on the right hand are held at right angles to each other with the first finger pointing in the direction of the magnetic field and the thumb in the direction of the motion, then the second finger points in the direction of the induced current.

A wire PQ is moved vertically downwards in a magnetic field. Applying Flemings right-hand rule, the induced current will flow from P to Q.

Indicate the direction of the induced current in a solenoid.

Lenzs Law: The direction of the induced current in a solenoid is such that its magnetic effect always oppose the change producing it.

Magnet is moved towards the solenoid

Magnet is moved away from the solenoid

Lenzs Law for solenoid

Relative motion between magnet and solenoid Toward each other Away from each other Polarity at the end of the solenoid facing the magnet. Same polarity as the magnet Opposite polarity as the magnet.

Principle of Conservation of Energy

Lenzs law is an example of the Principle of Conservation of Energy. When the magnet or solenoid is moved against the opposing force, work is done. Therefore mechanical energy is converted to electrical energy.

Factors that affect the magnitude of the induced current. Faradays Law:
The size of the induced e.m.f is directly proportional to the rate at which the conductor cuts through the magnetic field lines.

The size of the induced e.m.f. and thus the induced current and be increased by:
A) Moving the magnet or the solenoid at a higher speed B) Increasing the number of turns on the solenoid C) Increasing the strength of the magnetic field through the use of a stronger magnet.