Electromagnetism practice questions

Question 1

The primary of a transformer is connected to a source of voltage that has two

components: an alternating current (AC) component of 120 volts and a steady

direct current (DC) component of 5 volts. The number of turns of the primary

is 300 and the that of the secondary is 6000. What is the voltage at the output

of the secondary?

Solution

Transformers block steady Dc currents and let only AC current through and

therefore the output voltage will have an AC component only. The relationship

between secondary voltage Vs, the primary voltage Vp, the numbers of turns

in the secondary coil Ns and the number of turns in the primary Np is

Vs / Vp = Ns / Np

Vs / 120 = 6000 / 300

gives Vs = 2400 v (AC only)

Question 2

What is an electric motor?

Solution

An electric motor is any device that transforms electrical energy into

mechanical energy.

Question 3

A transformer with an efficiency of 80% is connected to 50-volt alternating

current source. The voltage and current in the secondary are 500 Volts and

0.1 Amperes respectively. What is the current in the primary?

Solution

The efficiency is the ratio of the power at the secondary of the transformer to

the input power at the primary. Hence

80% = ( Is Vs ) / ( Vp Ip )

0.8 = (500 v × 0.1 A) / (50 v × Ip)

Ip = ( 500 v × 0.1 A ) / ( 50 v × 0.8 ) = 1.25 A

Question 4

A bar of length L slides along electrical wires in a direction perpendicular to a

magnetic field B directed out of the page. The bar and part of the wires

including the resistor R form a closed circuit. What will increase the electric

current flowing in R?(assume that the resistance due to the wires and the bar

is negligible)

Solution

The sliding bar generates a motional emf E given by

E = L v B , where L is the length of the moving bar, B the magnetic field and v

the velocity of the moving bar.

The current i in the circuit id given by

i=E/R=LvB/R

Hence i increases if L or v or B or all are increased.

Question 5

A permanent magnet is inserted at constant speed inside a loop from left and

out of the loop again from the right as shown below. While the magnet is

moving from left to right. Describe the direction of the current in the loop.

Solution

Because of the changing magnetic flux as the permanent magnet moves, an

emf is induced in the loop. According to Lenz's law the induced current is such

that it will oppose the change producing it. While the magnet is moving from

the left, it north pole approaches the loop. Hence the current in the loop

should produce magnetic poles that oppose the motion of the magnetic field
by creating a north pole to block the magnet. Knowing the magnetic poles of

the loop, we use the right hand rule to find the direction of the current.(see

figure below). Hence the current is from A to B.

Once through the loop, the permanent magnet will have it south pole on the

side of the loop and moving away, so the current in the loop must oppose this

motion and therefore create a north pole to attract (oppose) the permanent

magnet that is trying to move away. Hence the magnetic field in the loop has

to change poles and therefore the induced electric field has to change

direction. Hence the current is from B to A.(see figure below)

Question 6

In the figure below the uniform magnetic field B is parallel to the rectangle.

What is the magnetic flux of B through the rectangle?

 Solution

The flux φ due to a uniform magnetic field B through a planar surface S of

area A is given by

φ = B A cos(θ) , where θ is the angle between B and the vector normal to the

surface S

In the given diagram B is parallel to the rectangle and therefore perpendicular

to any vector normal to the rectangle. Hence in this case θ = 90°

φ = B A cos(90°) = 0