Magnetic effects of electric

current.
● A current carrying wire behaves like a magnet.
● This can be seen in the deflection of a magnetic needle brought near the
current carrying wire.
● A magnet exerts its influence in the region around it.
● The region around the magnet in which the force of the magnet can be
detected is called the magnetic field.
● Figure 13.4
● Magnetic field has quantity and direction.
● Direction outside the magnet is taken from north pole to south pole.
● Direction inside the magnet is taken from south pole to north pole.
● Magnetic field lines are closed curves.
● Strength of magnetic field depends on closeness of field lines.
● More crowded the field lines stronger the magnetic field.
● No two magnetic field lines cross each other because at that point of
intersection the compass needle would point in two directions which is not
possible.
Magnetic field due to current carrying straight conductor:
● When current passes through a straight conductor the magnetic field around it
is in the form of concentric circles with the conductor at the center. Figure
13.6 (a).
● The direction of this magnetic field can be given by the right hand thumb rule.
Figure 13.7
● While holding a current carrying conductor in your right hand such that the
thumb points towards the direction of the current. Then your fingers wrap
around the conductor in the direction of the magnetic field lines.
● Strength of the magnetic field increases with increase in current.
● Strength of the magnetic field decreases with increase in distance from the
conductor. (increase in radius of the circular field lines)
Magnetic field due to current carrying circular conductor:
● Magnetic field are concentric circles near the wire at every point. Figure 13.8.
● As u move away from the wire the concentric circles become bigger (radius
increases).
● The direction of the magnetic field at every point of the circular conductor can
be found by the right hand thumb rule.
● The direction of the magnetic field at the center of the circular loop can also
be found by the right hand thumb rule but in this case the curl of the fingers is
in the direction of the current and the thumb gives the direction of the
magnetic field.
● In case the circular conductor is made of many turns then the strength of the
magnetic field just adds up depending on the number of turns.
Magnetic field due to current carrying solenoid:
● A coil of many circular turns of insulated copper wire wrapped closely in the
shape of a cylinder is called a solenoid.
● The field lines inside the solenoid are in the form of parallel straight lines.
● The solenoid can be compared to a bar magnet.
● Therefore the magnetic field lines are almost uniform at all points inside the
solenoid.
● Direction of magnetic field outside the solenoid is taken from north pole to
south pole.
● Direction of magnetic field inside the solenoid is taken from south pole to
north pole.
● Strong magnetic field produced inside the solenoid can be used to magnetise
magnetic material. The magnets so formed are called electromagnets.
Force in a current carrying conductor in a magnetic field:
● Electric current passing through a conductor produces a magnetic field and
the magnetic field exerts a force on a magnet placed near it.
● French scientist Andre Marie Ampere suggested that the magnet must also
exert an equal and opposite force on the current carrying conductor.
● Direction of the force on the conductor depends on the direction of the current
and the direction of the magnetic field.
● Direction of the force can be given by flemings left hand thumb rule. Figure
13.13
● Stretch the thumb, forefinger and the middlefinger of your left hand such that
they are mutually perpendicular to each other. Then the forefinger gives
direction of the magnetic field, the middle finger gives direction of current and
the thumb gives direction of the force.
● Devices using current carrying conductors and magnetic fields are electric
motor, electric generator, loudspeakers, microphones and measuring
instruments.

Domestic electric circuits:

● Supply of electric power in homes is through the main supply.
● One wire is live or positive wire with red insulation.
● Second wire is black insulation is neutral or negative wire.
● In India the potential difference between the two is 220V
● All these wires pass through the main fuse in the electricity meter.
● They are connected to the line wires in the house through the main switch
which supply electricity to circuits within the house.
● Two separate circuits are used for the appliances.
● 15A circuit for appliances with higher power ratings.
● 5A circuit for appliances with lower power ratings.
● Earth wire has green insulation connected to the metal plate in the earth near
house.
● Earth wire is use for appliances with metal body. It has a lower resistance
than human body and ensures any leakage of current is directed to the earth
thereby preventing any electric shock.
● All appliances are connected in parallel connection.
● A fuse prevents damage due to excess current. (overloading)
● Overloading can occur if live and neutral wire come into direct contact.
● Overloading can occur due to accidental hike in the supply voltage.
● Overloading can also occur when too many appliances are connected to a
single socket.
● Fuse is made of an alloy with low melting point, so if current supply goes
above the allowed limit there is heating and the wire melts and breaks the
circuit thereby protecting the appliances.