Physics/ Grade (10)

Topic 4/ Electricity and Magnetism

4.5 Electromagnetic effects
4.5.4 Force on a current-carrying conductor & 4.5.5 The d.c. motor
Ch 20: Electromagnetic Forces / From page 382 to page 387
THE FORCE ON A CURRENT-CARRYING CONDUCTOR IN A MAGNETIC FIELD

Describe • An electric current produces a magnetic field around it.

what happens • When a current-carrying conductor is in a magnetic field of a
to current- permanent magnet, the interaction between the two magnetic
carrying fields produces a force on the conductor.
conductor in a • The direction of the magnetic field, the current and the force
magnetic field acting on a conductor is perpendicular to each other.

The direction of the

magnetic force, F, acting
on the wire can be determined by using Fleming’s left-hand rule.

What is If the first finger, second finger

Fleming’s and the thumb of the left hand
Left – Hand are extended at right angles to
Rule each other, with the first finger
in the direction of the magnetic
field, the second finger in the
direction of the current, then
the thumb will point the
direction of the force, F or
motion.

The force exerted on the wire depends on the strength of the magnet, the size of
the current and the length of the wire.
• If the magnetic field is stronger the force will be larger
• If the current is larger the force will be larger
• If the length of the wire between the poles increases the force will be larger.
If the wire is replaced with a coil and the same principles are applied, we have the
basis of and electric motor.
The current is flowing in opposite directions on each side of the coil. If the coil is

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mounted on an axle, then the coil will begin to spin.

D. C. electric Motor A DC motor runs on a direct current

Parts of an electric motor
1. Two poles of a C shaped magnet – to provide steady magnetic field
2. Rectangular Coil of insulated copper wire mounted on an axle that can
rotate freely between the poles of the magnet
3. Split - ring commutator connected to each end of the coil
to allow the current to pass through the coil.
4. Two carbon brushes (two contacts) which rub against the split rings,
to keep the coil connected to the battery (maintain the current).

•When a current-carrying coil is in a magnetic field, an upward force will act on

the side near the North pole according to Fleming's left-hand rule. The other side
also will be acted upon by a downward force. The two forces produce a couple
which rotates the coil in a clockwise direction (turning effect).
•The commutator (two split-rings), is fixed to the coil and rotates with it. When the
coil overshoots the vertical, the commutator changes the direction of the current
through it, so the forces change direction and keep the coil turning.
The maximum turning effect is when the coil is horizontal.
When the coil is vertical there is no force, because the gaps in the commutator break
the circuit. However, the coil keeps turning because of its own inertia (momentum).
•Now the brush connections to the commutator are reversed. The current flows the
opposite way around the coil, and again the force on the side near the North Pole is
upward and the other force is downward, so it turns another 180 degrees clockwise.

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So, Split ring commutator reverses the current in the coil every half turn (by
changing the contact from one brush to another)/ when the coil is vertical/ at right
angles to the magnetic field.
This ensures that the loop continues turning in the same direction.
Split ring commutator (and brushes) allow the current to be reversed without wires
getting tangled/ switched.

•The turning effect can be increased by:

-increasing the current
-using a stronger magnet
-increasing the number of coils (increases the length of coil)
- using a soft iron core for the coil to concentrate the lines of the magnetic field
•Reversing the rotation can be done by:
-reversing the battery or by -reversing the poles

This equation isn’t needed but is useful for remembering the ways to increase the
turning effect:
Force exerted on wire = magnetic field strength × current × length of wire

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 Charged particles moving in magnetic fields
Beam of electrons and protons moving at same A beam of electrons is moving horizontally
speed goes through a magnetic field perpendicular to
the beam.

Charged particles moving in uniform electric field

Why do two wires with current flowing in the same direction attract each other, and two
wires with current flowing in opposite direction repel?

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