Electricity & Magnetism

MYP 5 - Notes
Magnetism

Magnetism is a concept introduced in physics to help you understand one of the

fundamental interactions in nature, the interaction between moving charges. Like
the gravitational force and the electrostatic force, the magnetic force is an
interaction at a distance.

Difference Between Electricity and Magnetism

 The major difference between electricity and magnetism is their presence.

 Electricity can be present in a static charge, while magnetism’s presence is
only felt
when there are moving charges as a result of electricity.
 In simple words, electricity can exist without magnetism, but magnetism
cannot exist without electricity.

Difference between Electric Field and Magnetic Field

The magnetic field is the area around a magnetic body or a moving electric charge
within which magnetic force acts. It can be generated by moving electric charges.
The direction of the magnetic field is indicated by lines. At the same time, the
electric fields are produced around the particles, which possess electric charges.

Electric Field Magnetic Field

Measured as newton per coulomb, Measured as gauss or tesla.
volt
per metre.
Proportional to the electric charge.Proportional to the speed of
electric
charge.
It is perpendicular to the magnetic It is perpendicular to the electric
field. field.
An electric field is measured using The magnetic field is measured
an using
electrometer. the magnetometer.
Coulomb’s Law

It gives the force of attraction or repulsion between two point charges. If two point
charges q1 and q2 are separated by a distance r then the magnitude of the force of
repulsion or attraction between them is

(a) Charges q1 and q2 have the same sign; electric force is repulsive. (b) Charges q1
and q2 have opposite signs; electric force is attractive.

Static Electricity

Static electricity (or simply static charge) is an imbalance of electric charges within
or on the surface of a material.

 We can create a static electric charge by rubbing two surfaces in contact that
are at some distance. Also, at least one of the surfaces has a high resistance
to electric current (and is, therefore, an electrical insulator).
 All physical items are made from atoms. Inside an atom are protons,
electrons, and neutrons. The protons are undoubtedly charged, the electrons
are negatively charged, and the neutrons are neutral.

Uses of Static Electricity

 Pollution manage
Static electricity is utilised in pollutants management by making use of a static fee
to dust particles in the air after which collecting those charged particles on a plate or
collector of the opposite electric charge. Such devices are frequently known as
electrostatic precipitators
 Smokestacks
Factories use static electricity to lessen pollutants coming from their smokestacks.
They supply the smoke with an electric-powered charge. When it travels by
electrodes of the opposite charge, most of the smoke particles cling to the
electrodes. This maintains the pollutants from going out into the atmosphere.
  Painting cars
Some car manufacturers use static electricity to assist them to paint the cars they
make. The way this works is that they first prepare the automobile's surface and
then put it in a paint booth. Next, they supply the paint with an electrical charge
after which they spray an excellent mist of paint into the booth. The charged paint
particles are attracted to the car and stick to the body, just like a charged balloon
sticks to a wall. Once the paint dries, it sticks lots better to the car and is smoother
because it is evenly distributed.

Facts on Static Electricity

 Lightning is a huge form of static electricity that is formed when air rubs
against the clouds!
 Static electricity never causes a high current unless it is on a larger scale, like
lightning.
 By rubbing silk or a glass rod, we can produce positive-charged static
electricity.
 For negative-charged static current, rub the fur on a plastic or rubber rod.
 Static electricity can also travel at the speed of light, i.e., 186, 282 miles per
second!
 A spark of static electricity can measure thousands of volts, however, has
very little current that lasts only for a short span.

Electromagnetic Forces

The electromagnetic force is a type of physical interaction that occurs between

electrically charged particles. It acts between charged particles and is the
combination of all magnetic and electrical forces. The electromagnetic force can be
attractive or repulsive.
The main properties of an Electromagnet

 An electromagnet is temporary in nature.

 An electromagnet is made of a soft iron core.

 The magnetic field strength can be changed.

 An electromagnet can be easily demagnetized by switching off the current.

 The polarity can be reversed.

Induction

When a conductor is placed or moved through the magnetic field it generates

voltage i.e., electricity. This principle is called Electromagnetic Induction. The

voltages generated will be based on the speed of the conductor moving through the
magnetic field. Faster the speed of the conductor, the greater the induced electricity
or voltage. Generator works on the principle of Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic
Induction. It is a system that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Applications of Electromagnetism

 Electromagnetism serves as a fundamental working principle for many of the

home appliances in household applications.
 The Maglev trains or high-speed trains work on the principle of
electromagnetism.
 Electromagnetic radiations are used in the communication system to transfer
data from the source to the receiver.
 In industries, starting from small instruments to large power
equipment, electromagnetism is used at least at one stage of their work.
Difference Between AC and DC Current
Current

Electric Current is the rate of flow of electrons during a conductor. The SI Unit of
electrical current is the Ampere.

Conventional Current Flow

The conventional current flow works from positive to negative terminal and indicates
the direction that positive charges would flow.

Electron Flow
The electron flow moves from a negative terminal to a positive terminal.
Electrons are charged and are therefore interested in the positive terminal as unlike
charges attract.

Voltage

 As per voltage definition, it is the difference in the electric potential between

two points. It is the work done in moving a charge from one pole to another
through a wire.

 The mathematical representation of voltage is as follows:

o V = IR
o V = Voltage in volts
o I = Current in amperes
o R = Resistance in ohms

 Volt can be expressed as the potential difference between two points in an

electric circuit that imparts one joule (J) of energy per coulomb (C) of charge
that passes through the circuit.
o V = Change in Potential Energy/Charge = ΔU/Q
 Unit: Joule/Coulomb

Electric Circuit Symbols

Resistor
 Resistor is defined as, A passive electrical component with two terminals that
are used for either limiting or regulating the flow of electric current in
electrical circuits.
 The main purpose of resistor is to reduce the current flow and to lower the
voltage in any particular portion of the circuit. It is made of copper wires which
are coiled around a ceramic rod and the outer part of the resistor is coated
with an insulating paint.
 The SI unit of resistor is Ohm.

Applications of Resistor

 Wire wound resistors find applications where balanced current control,

high sensitivity, and accurate measurement are required like in shunt with
ampere meter.
 Photoresistors find application in flame detectors, burglar alarms, in
photographic devices, etc.
 Resistors are used for controlling temperature and voltmeter.
 Resistors are used in digital multi-meter, amplifiers, telecommunication,
and oscillators.
 They are also used in modulators, demodulators, and transmitters.

Power
Electric power is the rate at which work is done or energy is transformed into an
electrical circuit. Simply put, it is a measure of how much energy is used in a span of
time.

P =VI
P=I2R
P = V2 / R
Generation of electricity

The mechanism of an electric generator works on the principle of electromagnetic

induction. The principle explains that when a straight conductor moves in a
magnetic field, then the current is induced in the conductor. According to the
principle, the conductor coil is rotated rapidly between the poles of a magnet which
is known as an armature. As the armature is connected to a shaft of a mechanical
energy source like a motor. The mechanical energy required can be provided by
engines operating on fuels such as diesel, petrol, natural gas, and renewable energy
sources. When the coil rotates, it cuts the magnetic field which lies between the two
poles of the magnet, the magnetic field would have interfered with the electrons in
the conductor to prompt a flow of electric current inside it.

Based on the electric energy used the electric generator can be divided into two
broad types which are - AC generators and DC generators
 The AC generators convert mechanical energy into electrical energy in form
of alternative emf or alternating current. They are also known as single-phase
generators and have an energy limit of 25 kW.
 The DC generators on either hand are divided into three categories : shunt,
series, and compound-wound. The shunt generators are used in battery
chargers and the Series generators are used in street lights, whereas most of
the DC generators are compound-wound.

Every technology and invention comes with its own set of challenges. Citing some
the limitations or challenges of electric generators are as follows -
 The flow of electricity through generator and transformer coils produces
resistance to heat and if the heat becomes extreme can cause an accidental
power surge and start a fire.
 The electric generators using diesel as fuel causes severe air pollution and
other air- related diseases
 The electric generator based on renewable sources of energy is costlier to
design for example the generator based on nuclear power.
 The generator also causes noise pollution
 The DC generators cannot be used to transport energy to a longer distance.
Transmission of electricity Transformer

A transformer is a device used in the power transmission of electric energy. The

transmission current is AC. It is commonly used to increase or decrease the supply
voltage without a change in the frequency of AC between circuits. The
transformer works on the basic principles of electromagnetic induction and mutual
induction.

Based on Voltage Levels

Commonly used transformer types, depending on the voltage, are classified as
follows:

 Step-up Transformer: They are used between the power generator and the
power grid. The secondary output voltage is higher than the input voltage.
 Step-down Transformer: These transformers are used to convert high-
voltage primary supply to low-voltage secondary output.

Example in INDIA

At a power generating station, the electric power is generated at 11 kV. From here,
the alternating voltage is transmitted to the grid sub-station and stepped up to 132
kV using a step-up transformer. It is then transmitted to the main sub-station
where the voltage is
stepped down to 33 kV using a step-down transformer and is then transmitted to
the intermediate sub-station. At the intermediate sub-station, the voltage is stepped
down to 11 kV using a step-down transformer and is transmitted to the city sub-
station, where the voltage is further stepped down to 220 V and is supplied to our
houses.