P5 and P7.

Magnetism and Electromagnetism

Syllabus Statement:
P5.1 Simple phenomena of magnetism
1. Describe the forces between magnets,
and between magnets and magnetic
materials
2. Give an account of induced magnetism
3. Draw and describe the pattern and
direction of magnetic field lines around
a bar magnet
4. Distinguish between the magnetic
properties of soft iron and steel
5. Distinguish between the design and use
of permanent magnets and
electromagnets
6. Describe methods of magnetisation to
include stroking with a magnet, use of direct current (d.c.) in a coil and hammering in a magnetic
field

P7.1 Magnetic effects of an electric current

1. Describe the pattern of the magnetic field (including direction) due to currents in straight wires and
solenoids
2. Describe the effect on the magnetic field of changing the magnitude and direction of the current

P7.2 Force on a current-carrying conductor

1. Describe an experiment to show that a force acts on a current carrying conductor in a magnetic field,
including the effect of reversing:
● the current

● the direction of the field

2. State and use the relative directions of force, field and current

P7.3 d.c. motor

1. State that a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field experiences a turning effect and that the effect is
increased by:
● increasing the number of turns on the coil

● increasing the current

● increasing the strength of the magnetic field

2. Relate this turning effect to the action of an electric motor including the effect of a split-ring
commutator

P7.4 Electromagnetic induction

1. Show understanding that a conductor moving across a magnetic field or a changing magnetic field
linking with a conductor can induce an e.m.f. in the conductor
2. State the factors affecting the magnitude of an induced e.m.f.

P7.5 a.c. generator

1. Distinguish between direct current (d.c.) and alternating current (a.c.)
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2. Describe and explain the operation of a rotating coil generator and the use of slip rings
3. Sketch a graph of voltage output against time for a simple a.c. generator

P7.6 Transformer
1. Describe the construction of a basic transformer with a soft-iron core, as used for voltage
transformations
2. Describe the principle of operation of a transformer
3. Use the terms step-up and step-down
4. Recall and use the equation (VP / VS) = (NP / NS) (for 100% efficiency)
5. Describe the use of the transformer in high-voltage transmission of electricity
6. Recall and use the equation IP VP = IS VS (for 100% efficiency)
7. Explain why power losses in cables are lower when the voltage is high

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Properties of Magnets

Magnets produce magnetic ______________. The field exerts a ______________ on any magnetic
material in the field. Magnetic fields have directions, so we talk about the polarity of the field and poles
on a magnet. The poles of magnets strongly attract ______________, ______________,
______________ and ______________ (called ferromagnetic materials). The ______________ are
found at either end of a bar magnet.
A magnet will temporarily ______________ magnetism in ferromagnetic materials. Each pin magnetises
the one below it. If the top pin is removed from the magnet, the chain ______________.

Unlike poles ______________ and like poles ______________ each other.

e.g. Two magnets, one suspended on a sling:

Unlike poles attract

Like poles repel

Ferromagnetic materials attract to either pole of a magnet.

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A magnet that is free to swing aligns itself with the Earth’s ____________________________.
A compass is a magnet, so the south end of a compass attracts to the ______________ end of a magnet,
and repels the south end.

Magnetisation

Soft iron, cobalt and nickel are normally ______________. They contain thousands of tiny magnets,
pointing in ______________ directions. A magnetic field from a permanent magnet ______________
the tiny magnets to line up. This is temporary magnetism, because when the magnetic field is removed,
the tiny magnets ______________ again and the material returns to the ______________ state.

Steel, however, can be ______________ magnetised. Because it is an alloy, the ______________ (tiny
magnets) do not randomise again when the field is removed. This can be done by stroking a permanent
______________ along the steel, always in the same direction. Then the tiny magnets all remain
pointing in the ______________ direction.

If a piece of steel is placed in a magnetic field and ______________ then the vibrations allow the
domains to align and the material can be magnetised. If it is placed in a very ______________ magnetic
field, it can be magnetised without hammering.

Uses of permanent magnets

● Sound tapes, VHS tapes and hard drives: the material is densely coated with tiny magnets e.g.
made of iron oxide. They change their orientation during recording. A strong magnet will disrupt
this pattern, and the recording will be lost.
● Credit, Debit and ATM cards: All of these cards have a magnetic strip on one side. This strip
encodes the information to contact an individual's financial institution and connect with their
account(s)
● Speakers, Microphones, magnetic pick-ups

● Fridge magnets, screwdrivers: for holding objects

● Compasses

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Magnetic Fields

Magnets produce a ______________ in the space around them. This can be shown by sprinkling iron
filings on a sheet of paper placed over a bar magnet. A magnet or compass placed in the magnetic field
will ______________ itself with the field. The magnetic field points from the ______________ pole
towards the ______________ pole. This is the way that a north pole would move in the field.

A steel ball rolled near a magnet, will follow the magnetic field lines to reach the ______________.

Field Lines between two neighbouring bar magnets

Note that magnetic field lines never ______________. The closer the field lines are together, the
stronger the magnetic field. i.e. the strongest field is nearest to the poles.

Earth’s Magnetic Field

The earth itself is a magnet, with magnetic poles which move over time. They are not located at the true
north and south poles.

Application:
Reed Switch

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A reed switch is a glass tube with two ______________ reeds sealed into it. They are used as magnetic
switches in circuits. When the iron is not magnetised and there is a gap between the reeds, the switch is
open and no current can flow through it.

If a magnet is brought near a reed switch, it ______________ each reed as shown (by ‘magnetic
induction’) The result is that the two reeds are ______________ to each other and they bend to touch
each other. Now the switch is ______________ and can pass a current.

If the magnet moves away, the switch will open again.

Reed switches are used as a safety feature in microwave doors. A magnet is in the door, and the switch is
in the door frame. When the door is closed, the switch ______________ and the microwave operates.
When the door is opened, the switch ______________ and the microwave turns off.

The Magnetic Field Around a Wire Carrying a Current

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When current flows through a conductor a magnetic field is produced. The field is ______________ in
shape. The direction of the field can be determined
using the right-hand grip rule. The thumb points in
the direction that the ______________ is flowing.
The ______________ show the direction of the field.
If the direction of the current is reversed the field will
be in the ______________ direction. If the size of the
current increases, the magnetic field will be
______________.
The Magnetic Field around a Coil
Carrying Current

A coil of wire (also called a ______________ ) carrying a current behaves like a ______________.
A right hand grip rule can be used to predict the direction of the field. The fingers point in the direction
of the current flowing around the coil and the thumb points in the direction of the field ______________
the solenoid. The thumb also points to the end of the solenoid that is the equivalent of the
______________ pole. Reversing the direction of the current will reverse the ______________ of the
magnetic field.

To increase the strength of the field you can:

Increase the number of ______________ in the coil
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Increase the size of ______________
Put a ______________ core in the coil. A solenoid with a soft iron core is called an ______________.

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Uses of Electromagnets

Some applications of electromagnets are:

Scrap metal yards
Speakers and microphones
Electric motors and generators
Electric bell
Magnetic Levitation trains

Electric Bell:

When the “bell push” switch is closed a ______________ flows through the circuit. The electromagnet
______________ the soft iron armature, making the hammer strike the gong. As the armature moves
over the circuit is _____________. The current stops, the magnetic field collapses and the spring pulls
the armature back over to the switch contact. This causes the current to ______________ again and the
process repeats. The hammer repeatedly strikes the ______________ causing the ringing sound.

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The Motor Effect - The Force on A Current Carrying Wire in a Magnetic Field

A current flowing in a magnetic field experiences a force due to the interaction if

the ______________ field produced by the current and the applied field.

The direction of the force can be determined using the ______________ hand
slap rule.

The ______________ point in the direction of the magnetic field. The ______________ points in the
direction of the current (conventional current – the way a positive charge would move). Your palm then
faces the direction of the resulting force – a ______________ is in that direction.

This effect is the basis of how all electric motors work.

The Simple Electric DC Motor

An electric current passes through the loop. The two sides of the loop that are ______________ to the
magnetic field experience forces. Because these forces are in ______________ directions, the result is a
net ______________ on the coil / ______________.

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The split-ring ______________ changes the direction of the current in the coil every half turn to
maintain the rotation. As the coil turns the electric contacts are broken, then swapped over – so that the
loop keeps being pushed in the same direction.

To increase the turning effect / ______________ you can use:

- more ______________ on the coil
- a coil wound on a ______________ core (to intensify magnetic field)
- higher ______________ in the coil
- a ______________ magnetic field

Moving Coil Loudspeaker

A coil is wound round the centre of a cardboard cone.

The coil and cone lie between the north and south poles of a
______________ magnet. When ______________ flows there is a
force that makes the coil and cone move. If the current flows as shown
in the diagram, the cone will move ______________.

When the current flows in the opposite direction, the cone moves
______________. If the current cycles (forwards and backwards) the
coil will ______________ and produce ______________ waves in the air.

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Electromagnetic Induction

A wire moved at right angles to a magnetic field has a e.m.f. induced in it. If there is a circuit, current
can flow.

In fact, as long as there is relative ______________ between the magnetic field and the conductor across
the field then an e.m.f. will be ______________.

As a magnet moves into a coil an ______________ is induced and a ______________ will flow in the
wire. As the magnet moves out a current is generated in the ______________ direction.

The size of the induced p.d. (or voltage) is increased by:

More ______________ of conductor moving in the field
Using a ______________ magnetic field.
______________ relative motion

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AC Generator (Alternator)

As the loop rotates clockwise across the magnetic field, an ______________ current is generated in the
wire.

Graph of Voltage Output vs Time

Graph shows alternating voltage

The diagram under the graph shows the position of the coil at each quarter turn.
At 0 rotations, side a of the coil is moving parallel to the field, so generates 0 voltage.
At ¼ rotation, side a cuts down across the field and voltage is a maximum positive.
At ½ rotation, side a is moving parallel to the field, so generates 0 voltage.
At ¾ rotation, side a is moving up across the field and current is reversed, so voltage is a maximum
negative.

The slip rings are used to make a constant connection despite the ______________ of the coil.

Transformers

Transformers are used to ______________ (step up) or ______________ (step down) an AC voltage.

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As current increases in the primary coil, a ______________ field builds in the iron core. As the
magnetic field ______________, a current is induced in the secondary coil. As current decreases in the
primary coil, the magnetic field in the core ______________. As the magnetic field collapses, a current
is induced in the secondary coil in the ______________ direction.
If an alternating current is passed through the primary coil, (repeatedly increasing and decreasing the
current) an ______________ current will be induced in the secondary coil. If the secondary coil has
more turns than the primary coil, the voltage will be stepped ______________. Alternatively, the
voltage may be stepped down by having ______________. turns in the secondary than the primary.

Assuming a transformer is 100% efficient, the equation relating number of turns (N) to voltage (V) (p =
primary, s = secondary) is:

Example: A transformer steps down the mains supply from 230 V to 10 V to operate an answering
machine.
a) What is the turns ratio of the transformer windings?

= = =

b) How many turns are on the primary if the secondary has 100 turns.
=
Np = 100 x 23 = 2300

Issues involved in the electrical transmission of energy

An alternator can produce a current of 20 000 amp at 25 000 V. To carry this large a current very
________________, heavy and expensive cable is needed. A transformer is then used to step up the
voltage (e.g. 220 000 V) and ______________ the current, with two benefits. A ______________,

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______________, less ______________ cable can be used to carry the electricity overland. Also, with a
lower current, much less electrical energy is converted into ______________.

The energy loss is equal to I2R. I is the current and R is the resistance of the power line. With high
______________ and low ______________ the electricity transmission is more ______________ – a
higher % of the electrical ______________arrives at the destination.

Aluminium wire with a steel core is commonly used for the cables. Aluminium is ______________, and
a good conductor, but is ______________. Steel is ______________, but is a poor conductor and dense.
At the consumer end ______________ transformers are used to reduce the voltage to safe levels for
business and domestic use.

Relationship between Voltage and Current in the Primary and Secondary

If we assume that power in the primary coil = power in the secondary coil (i.e. no energy losses in the
transformer)

Pp = Ps

Ip x Vp = Is x Vs

Example:
A transformer steps down the mains supply from 230 V to 10 V to operate an answering machine. What
is the current in the primary if the transformer is 100% efficient and the current in the answering
machine is 2 A?
Ip x Vp = Is x Vs
Ip = = = 0.09 A

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