Chapter 8: Electromagnetism Notes

Right-Hand Grip Rule

• Straight wire
• Circular coil
• Solenoid

Electromagnet
• Current
• Turns of coil
• Core
• Applications: relay, electric bell, telephone earpiece, crane, monorail

Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule [electricity + magnetism = force]

• Force (F), Magnetic field (B), Current (I)
• Theory: catapult field
• Factors affecting force produced:
o magnetic field strength
▪ strength of magnet
▪ number of magnets
▪ distance between magnets
o current (resistance)
▪ emf of power supply
▪ length of conductor
▪ thickness of conductor
o length of conductor in magnetic field
• Applications: moving-coil ammeter, d.c. motor

Fleming’s Right-Hand Rule [force + magnetism = electricity] [electromagnetic induction]

• FBI same as LHR
• Theory:
o Faraday’s Law – magnitude of induced emf is directly proportional to the rate at which
the magnet cuts through the magnetic field lines
o Lenz’s Law – direction of induced current acts to oppose the change which is causing it
• *Factors affecting current produced*:
o rate of movement of magnet
o magnetic field strength (same as above)
o number of turns in solenoid
• Applications: d.c. generator (commutator), a.c. generator (slip ring)

Direct current vs alternating current

• Root mean square
• Differences: flow direction, power loss through cable transmission, etc.

Transformer
• Theory: electromagnetic induction, only a.c. can be used
• Ways to improve efficiency:
o Use thicker copper wires – reduce resistance, reduce heat loss
o Use soft iron core – easily magnetised and demagnetised
o Core made from thin soft-iron sheets laminated tgt – reduce Eddy currents
o Coils wounded closer to each other – reduce magnetic flux leakage