Name: ( ) Date:

Class:

Montfort Secondary School

Chapter 21: Electromagnetism

21.1 Magnetic Effect of a Current

(a) draw the pattern of the magnetic field due to currents in straight wires
and in solenoids and state the effect on the magnetic field of changing the
magnitude and/or direction of the current
(b) describe the application of the magnetic effect of a current in a circuit
breaker

Magnetic Field Pattern around a Straight Wire

Consider a straight, current-carrying wire placed

vertically through a sheet of cardboard.

• The magnetic field of a straight, current-carrying

wire consists of concentric circles.

• The magnetic field is stronger closer to the wire.

We can predict the direction of the magnetic field around the wire
using the right-hand grip rule.
 Physics Chapter 21. Electromagnetism

Magnetic Field Pattern Around a Straight Wire

The strength of the magnetic field of a current-carrying wire increases when the
current is increased.

Magnetic Field Pattern around a Flat Coil

The magnetic field strength of a flat coil can be

increased by
• increasing the current;
• increasing the number of turns of the coil.

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 Physics Chapter 21. Electromagnetism

Magnetic Field Pattern of a Solenoid

• The magnetic field pattern of a solenoid resembles that of a bar magnet.

• The solenoid has two poles and can be used as an electromagnet.

We can predict the direction of the magnetic field of the solenoid using the right-
hand grip rule.

The magnetic field strength of a solenoid can be increased by

• increasing the current;
• increasing the number of turns per unit length of the solenoid;
• placing a soft iron core within the solenoid.

Circuit Breakers

 A circuit breaker is a safety device that switches off the electrical supply when
there is excessive current flow.
 One of the core components of the circuit breaker is the electromagnet.

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 Physics Chapter 21. Electromagnetism

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 Physics Chapter 21. Electromagnetism

Worksheet 21, Section A Q7, Section B Q1, 2, 3

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 Physics Chapter 21. Electromagnetism

21.2 The Motor Effect – Force due to Magnetic Fields

(c) describe experiments to show the force on a current-carrying

conductor, and on a beam of charged particles, in a magnetic field,
including the effect of reversing (i) the current (ii) the direction of the field
(d) deduce the relative directions of force, field and current when any two
of these quantities are at right angles to each other using Fleming’s left-
hand rule
(e) describe the field patterns between currents in parallel conductors and
relate these to the forces which exist between the conductors (excluding
the Earth’s field)
(f) explain how a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field experiences a
turning effect and that the effect is increased by increasing (i) the number
of turns on the coil, (ii) the current

Force on a Current-carrying Conductor

• When current flows in the direction ABCD,

the wire swings outwards, away from the magnet.

• When a current-carrying conductor is placed in a

magnetic field, the conductor experiences a
force.

• This effect on the conductor is called the motor

effect.

• The direction of the force on a current-carrying

conductor is reversed when we reverse the
direction of the current or magnetic field.

• The force, current and magnetic field are at right angles to one another.

• We can use Fleming’s left-hand rule to deduce the direction of the force
acting on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field.

Fleming’s left-hand rule

To deduce the direction of the force acting on

a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic
field, we use Fleming’s left-hand rule

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 Physics Chapter 21. Electromagnetism

To explain the motor effect, consider the magnetic field of a current-carrying wire
combined with that of a magnet.

Consider the following pair of parallel current-carrying wires.

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 Physics Chapter 21. Electromagnetism

Using Fleming’s left-hand rule, the forces on the

aluminium foil at X and Y both act outwards. Hence, the X Y
aluminium foil strip repels on opposite sides.

Force on a Positively-Charged Particle in a Magnetic

Field

Using Fleming’s left-hand rule, we can deduce that the positive charge is deflected
upwards in a circular path.

Force on a Negatively-Charged Particle in a Magnetic Field

If a negatively-charged particle is used, the direction of the force is reversed.

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 Physics Chapter 21. Electromagnetism

Force on a Positively-Charged Particle in a Magnetic Field

Reversing the direction of the magnetic field

Worked Example 21.2.1:

Q A current-carrying wire is
placed between the
poles of a magnet. In
which direction will the
force due to the current
try to move the wire?
[N2000/I/32]

Worked Example 21.2.2:

Q The diagram shows
a beam of electrons
entering a magnetic
field. The direction
of the field is into
the page. What will
be the initial
direction of the deflection of the electrons as the beam pass through
the field?
[N2002/I/31]
A into the page
A B out of the page
C towards the bottom of the page
D towards the top of the page

Worksheet 21, Section A Q1 – 6, Section B Q4

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 Physics Chapter 21. Electromagnetism

21.3 Turning Effect on a Current-carrying Coil in a Magnetic Field

(g) discuss how this turning effect is used in the action of an electric motor
(h) describe the action of a split-ring commutator in a two-pole, single-coil
motor and the effect of winding the coil on to a soft-iron cylinder

Forces on a Current-carrying Coil in a Magnetic Field

Coil ABCD experiences a turning effect about the axis

PQ.

The turning effect on a current-carrying wire coil can be

increased by
 increasing the number of turns on the wire coil;
 increasing the current in the wire coil.

The D.C. Motor

• Converts electrical energy to mechanical energy

• Commonly used in appliances such as battery-operated
toys and DVD players

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 Physics Chapter 21. Electromagnetism

Function of the split-ring commutator

To reverse the direction of the current in the coil every half a revolution. This
ensures that the coil continues to turn in the same direction.

The turning effect on a current-carrying coil in a d.c. motor can be increased by

 inserting a soft iron core into the coil;

 increasing the number of turns in the coil;
 increasing the current in the coil.

How commercial DC motor works

https://tinyurl.com/gwn5ooh

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 Physics Chapter 21. Electromagnetism

Worked Example 21.3.1:

Q The figure shows a diagram of a
simple d.c. motor. The gap between
the two halves of the split-ring
commutator is so wide that a carbon
brush can only touch one half of the
split-ring at any time. This protects the
circuit. It also means that sometimes
the motor will not start when switched
on. Explain why
(a) the carbon brushes must not be
allowed to touch both halves of
the split-ring at the same time.
(b) Sometimes the motor does not start when switched on, even if there is no
friction.
[modified N2004/II/11 Either]
(a) To prevent short circuit as there is no resistor in the circuit.
A
(b) The carbon brush is not in contact with any halves of the commutator,
hence there is an open circuit.

Worksheet 21, Section B Q5, 6, Section C Q1

Electromagnetism MCQs
https://goo.gl/MTjU9t

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