MAGNETIC EFFECTS OF ELECTRICITY

In 1819 Hans Oersted discovered that a current bearing conductor affected a compass in its vicinity.
From this we can conclude that a magnetic field is associated with a current bearing conductor.

MAGNETIC FIELD OF A STRAIGHT CURRENT CARRYING CONDUCTOR

The magnetic field pattern for a straight conductor is represented by concentric rings.

X – current is directed into the page current is directed out of the page

 The field is strongest close to the conductor and gradually becomes weaker as we move further away
from the conductor.
 If the direction of the conventional current is changed the pattern does not change but the direction of the
magnetic field changes.

 The direction of the magnetic field is given by the right hand wire rule:

Grasp the conductor in your right hand, with your thumb pointing in the direction of the conventional
current. The direction of your curled fingers gives the direction of the magnetic field.

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MAGNETIC FIELD OF A CIRCULAR CURRENT CARRYING CONDUCTOR

When a current is passed through a circular conductor the following magnetic field results:

Direction of the conventional current

The magnetic field close to the conductor is circular. Towards the centre of the circular conductor the field
lines become straight and perpendicular to the plane of the coil.

The direction of the magnetic field of a circular coil can be determined by using the right hand wire rule.
Grasp the coil with the right hand with the thumb pointing in the direction of the conventional current and the
curl of the fingers indicates the direction of the magnetic field.

MAGNETIC FIELD PATTERN OF A SOLENOID

A solenoid consists of a long cylindrical coil of insulated wire.

The field pattern for a solenoid resembles that of a bar magnet.

Note that the magnetic field outside the solenoid is from north to south whilst the magnetic field within the
solenoid is directed from south to north.
Rule for determining polarity:
S

If you hold the solenoid in your right hand such that your fingers are curled in the direction of the
conventional current then your thumb points in the direction of the north pole.
OR

Look into one end of the solenoid, if the conventional current flows in the clockwise direction then the far
end is the north pole.
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ELECTROMAGNETISM

If an iron core is inserted into a solenoid this increases the strength of the magnetic field some about 1 000
times.

The iron core inserted into the solenoid becomes a magnet. This is the principle of an electromagnet.
Electromagnets have the advantage in that they can be switched on and off at will and last much longer than
permanent magnets.

ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION

 If a coil moves relative to a magnet a current is induced in the coil. This is referred to as electromagnetic
induction. If the magnet is stationary relative to the coil then no current is induced in the coil.
 The direction of the induced current depends on the pole of the magnet that is being inserted into the coil
and on whether the magnet is being inserted or withdrawn.
 The strength of the induced current depends on:
- the strength of the magnetic field.
- the number of turns in the coil.
- the speed of the magnet relative to the coil.

The above points to the fact that a changing magnetic field gives rise to a current or a potential difference in a
coil. (Note that a current cannot exist unless there is a potential difference). From now onwards we will call
the magnetic field a magnetic flux. The principle of a induced potential difference was put forth by Faraday.

Faraday’s law of electromagnetism states that whenever there is a change in the magnetic flux linkage
with a conductor, a potential difference is induced. The magnitude of this potential difference is
directly proportional to the rate of change in the magnetic flux linkage with the conductor.
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LENZ’S LAW

Lenz’s law states that the direction of the induced current is so as to oppose the cause producing it.
Consider the following cases:

Determine the direction of the induced current when the north pole of the magnet is:
inserted into the solenoid.

Since the magnet is being inserted the coil is being exposed to an increasing magnetic flux linkage. The coil
would set up a magnetic field so as to oppose that of the magnet. Therefore the left end of the coil is the north
pole and the current would flow in an anti-clockwise direction as seen from the left end.

Determine the direction of the induced current when the north pole of the magnet is: withdrawn

Since the magnet is being withdrawn the coil would be subjected to a decreasing magnetic flux linkage.
The coil would set up a magnetic field so as to increase the magnetic field, thus the far end of the coil
becomes the north pole and the current flows in a clockwise direction.

Provide an appropriate explanation for the following instances of electromagnetic induction with the
south pole of the magnet.

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MAGNETIC FLUX
When a solenoid is moved relative to a magnetic field there is a change in the magnetic flux linkage (ϕ) and
hence an emf (ε) is induced in the coil.

The magnetic flux (ϕ) = The magnetic field strength (B) X the area (A)

Φ = BA

SYMBOL MEANING UNIT

B Magnetic field strength/ Intensity Tesla (T)
A Area Square metres (m2)
Φ Magnetic flux T.m2

EXAMPLE

The magnetic field intensity in a rectangular region of sides 4 cm by 20 cm is 2 T. Determine the magnetic
flux over the region.

L = 4 cm = 0,04 m ; B = 20 cm = 0,2 m

A = LB = (0,04)(0,2) = 0,008 m2

Φ = BA = (2)(0,008) = 0,016 T.m2

CALCULATING THE INDUCED ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE (emf)

The induced emf (ε) in a coil of wire which is subjected to a changing magnetic flux is given by the equation:
Δϕ
ε = N
Δt
SYMBOL MEANING UNIT
N Number of turns in the solenoid None
Δϕ Change in magnetic flux T.m2
Δt Change in time Second (s)
ε Electromotive force Volt (V)
Δϕ Rate of change of magnetic flux T.m2.s-1 or Wb.s-1
Δt Wb - Weber

EXAMPLE
A certain coil of wire consists of 500 circular loops. It is placed between the poles of a large electromagnet,
where the magnetic flux is changing at rate of 0,03 T.m2 per minute. What is the magnitude of the induced
emf? N = 500 ; Δϕ = 0,03 T.m2 ; Δt = 1 min = 60 s ; ε = ??
Δϕ
ε = N
Δt
0,03
= 500
60
= 0,25 V
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EXAMPLE

A certain coil of wire consists of 500 circular loops of radius 4 cm. It is placed between the poles of a large
electromagnet, where the magnetic field is uniform, perpendicular to the plane of the coil, and increasing at a
rate of 0,2 T.s-1. What is the magnitude of the induced emf?

N = 500 ; r = 4 cm = 0,04 m ; B = 0,2 T ; t = 1 s ; ε = ???

We need to find the magnetic flux (ϕ) first. But before we can do this we need to find the area of the circular
coil.
A = πr2 = π(0,04)2 = 0,00503 m2

Φ = BA = (0,2)(0,00503) = 0,00101 T.m2

Δϕ
ε = N
Δt
0,001
= 500
1
= 0,5 V

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 ASSIGNMENT - ELECTROMAGNETISM
1. A circuit is set up as shown:

Y
X

The directions of the magnetic field at points X and Y, respectively, in the diagram is:
A) both perpendicular into the page
B) both perpendiculr out of the page
C) X perpendicular into the paper ; Y perpendicular out of the paper
D) X perpendicular out of the paper ; Y perpendicular into the paper
E) both parallel to the direction of flow of current

2. A thread of insulated copper wire is wrapped around a piece of soft iron as shown below:

The sequence of the magnetic poles which are formed in the iron will be (from left to right):
A) SNS B) NSS C) SNN D) NSN E) NS

3. The following sketch represents the South Pole of a magnet being inserted into a coil.

3.1 A reading is observed on the multimeter. What does this indicate?

3.2 What phenomenon is being investigated?
3.3 State Faraday’s law.
3.4 Explain the above phenomenon using Faraday’s and Lenz’s law and hence deduce the polarity of the
coil.
3.5 If the magnet is held stationary in the coil, the reading on the multimeter is zero. Why?

4. When a cylinderical magnet is dropped down an aluminium pipe it seems to travel significantly
slower than expected, explain why this should be so.

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5. The magnetic field intensity in an area of 6 cm2 is 9 T. Determine the magnetic flux over the region.

6. The magnetic field intensity in a rectangular region of sides 2 cm by 30 cm is 0,3 T. Determine the
magnetic flux over the region.

7. A certain coil of wire consists of 200 circular loops. It is placed between the poles of a large
electromagnet, where the magnetic flux is changing at rate of 0,06 T.m2 per minute. What is the
magnitude of the induced emf?

8. Explain why the following apparatus can be used as an anemometer (instrument to measure wind
speed).
Rotating Arm

MAGNET

Coils