1 2.

0: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM

2.3: DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF EFFECT OF ELECTRIC CURRENT AND
ITS APPLICATION

ENABLING OBJECTIVES:
1. Describe the effect of electric current and its application
1.1. Heating effect
1.2. Magnetic effect
1.3. Chemical effect

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2.3: DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF EFFECT OF ELECTRIC CURRENT AND
ITS APPLICATION

1.1 Heating Effect

þ When electric current flows through a conducting wire, the temperature of wire
increases.
þ This is called heating effect of electric current.
þ When electrons pass through a wire, they can give some of their energy to the atoms
in the wire and make them vibrate more faster than their original vibration, so that
the wire is heated.

Some applications of the Heating Effect

• Fuse is a basic electrical part used to protect appliances. Fuse wire melts due to the
heating effect of current when the current flowing through is exceeded than the rated
amperage.

• Water heaters both in kitchen and bathroom uses this effect of current.

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2.3: DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF EFFECT OF ELECTRIC CURRENT AND
ITS APPLICATION

• Light bulbs also work due to the heating effect. Once the filament is heated by
electricity, it starts glowing.

• All kinds of Irons such as Clothes Iron, Hair Irons, Soldering Irons all work by using the
heating effect of current.

Ø A heating appliance has a highly coiled wire or a metallic rod. This is called the element
of the heating appliance. The highly coiled structure increases the surface area and
thus provides more heat. The elements are usually made of constantan which is a
metal with very high melting point.

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2.3: DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF EFFECT OF ELECTRIC CURRENT AND
ITS APPLICATION

1.2 Magnetic effect

Ø A wire or a conductor carrying current develops a magnetic field perpendicular to the

direction of the flow of current.
Ø This is called magnetic effect of current.
Ø They occur because they experience a force.

Fig 1.21

Ø Direction of current is shown by the right hand thumb and the direction of magnetic
field is shown by other fingers of the same right hand (Fig. 1.21).
Ø A magnetic field is formed around a conductor when current flows through it which
means it acts like a magnet.
Ø We know that in magnets like poles repel and unlike poles attract each other, so
depending on the direction of the magnetic field induced, the conductor will either get
attracted to or get repelled by the permanent magnet.
Ø Electromagnets are used in following situations,
o Electric Bells
o Circuit breakers
o Electromagnetic Door Locks
o Electromagnetic Relays
o Telephone Ear Piece
o Cranes in Steel Works & Scrap Yards

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2.3: DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF EFFECT OF ELECTRIC CURRENT AND
ITS APPLICATION

ü When you push bell switch, it completes the circuit of the bell and an electric current
starts flowing through the coil. The U shaped soft-iron core becomes an electromagnet
as a result of that and the soft-iron is attracted towards the electromagnet and the
hammer hits the gong.
ü When the hammer attached soft-iron rod is attracted towards the electromagnet,
circuit becomes no more closed, but opened.
ü So that the current stops flowing and switches off the electromagnet. The soft-iron
rod goes back to its original state so that contact is made again, because of this process
the bell will ring continuously as long as current is flowing.

1.3 Chemical effect

Ø The process of conduction of electric current through solutions is called ‘electrolysis’.

Ø The solution through which the electricity passes is called ‘electrolyte’.
Ø When current passes through electrolyte like copper sulphate solution, both the
electron and the positive copper ion conduct electricity.
Ø The positive terminal inserted in to the solution is called ‘anode’ and the negative
terminal ‘cathode’.
Ø In the above experiment, copper wire is anode and carbon rod is cathode.

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