PHYSICS – Electromagnetic effects (2)

Uses of Describe applications

of the magnetic
electromagnets effect of current,
including the action
of a relay
 A relay is a electric switch operated
by electromagnet which uses a low
1. RELAY current circuit to switch a high
current circuit on or off.
Symbol for Relay
Component of
Relay

1. Electromagnet (coil)
2. Armature
3. Switch Contact Point
4. Spring
 Describe applications
1. RELAY of the magnetic
effect of current,
including the action
A relay is a electric switch operated of a relay
by electromagnet which uses a low
current circuit to switch a high
current circuit on or off.

For example, a very big relay is used in

cars for switching the starter motor,
because it draws a very big current.
1. The input circuit is switched off,
no current flows. The output
circuit is also switched off.
1. The input circuit is switched off,
no current flows. The output
circuit is also switched off.
2. When a small current flows in the
input circuit, it activates the
electromagnet which produces a
magnetic field all around it.
1. The input circuit is switched off, no current flows. The
output circuit is also switched off.
2. When a small current flows in the input circuit, it
activates the electromagnet which produces a magnetic
field all around it.
3. The energized electromagnet pull the metal bar /
ammature in the output circuit toward it, closing the
switch and allowing much bigger current to flow through
the output.
 Uses of Describe applications
of the magnetic
electromagnets effect of current,
including the action
of a relay

2. CIRCUIT BREAKERS
 Uses of Describe applications
of the magnetic
electromagnets effect of current,
including the action
of a relay
Electromagnets are used in CIRCUIT
BREAKERS.

A circuit breaker does the same job

as a fuse, but it works in a different
way. Circuit breakers are automatic
switches that ‘trip’ (turn off) when
the current rises above a specific
value. The circuit breaker can be
reset by pressing a button (no need
to replace).
 Uses of Describe applications
of the magnetic
electromagnets effect of current,
including the action
of a relay
Electromagnets are used in CIRCUIT
BREAKERS.

A circuit breaker does the same job

as a fuse, but it works in a different
way. Circuit breakers are automatic
switches that ‘trip’ (turn off) when
the current rises above a specific
value. The circuit breaker can be
reset by pressing a button (no need
to replace).

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 Uses of Describe applications
of the magnetic
electromagnets effect of current,
including the action
of a relay
Electromagnets are used in CIRCUIT
BREAKERS.

A circuit breaker does the same job

as a fuse, but it works in a different
way. Circuit breakers are automatic
switches that ‘trip’ (turn off) when
the current rises above a specific
value. The circuit breaker can be 1) A spring-loaded push switch is
reset by pressing a button (no need held in the closed position by a
to replace). spring-loaded soft iron bolt.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science
 Uses of Describe applications
of the magnetic
electromagnets effect of current,
including the action
of a relay
Electromagnets are used in CIRCUIT
BREAKERS.

A circuit breaker does the same job

as a fuse, but it works in a different
way. Circuit breakers are automatic
switches that ‘trip’ (turn off) when
the current rises above a specific
value. The circuit breaker can be 1) A spring-loaded push switch is
reset by pressing a button (no need held in the closed position by a
to replace). spring-loaded soft iron bolt.
2) Electromagnet arranged so it can
pull the bolt away from the
1 switch.
2

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 Uses of Describe applications
of the magnetic
electromagnets effect of current,
including the action
of a relay
Electromagnets are used in CIRCUIT
BREAKERS.

A circuit breaker does the same job

as a fuse, but it works in a different
way. Circuit breakers are automatic
switches that ‘trip’ (turn off) when
the current rises above a specific
value. The circuit breaker can be 1) A spring-loaded push switch is
reset by pressing a button (no need held in the closed position by a
to replace). spring-loaded soft iron bolt.
2) Electromagnet arranged so it can
pull the bolt away from the
1 switch.
3) If current increases beyond set
2
3 limit then the electromagnet
pulls bolt towards itself,
releasing the push switch and
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science breaking the circuit.
 Magnetic Force on A
Current

CURRENT in the wire,

interacts with the MAGNETIC FIELD of the magnet,
Causing a FORCE on the wire.

If a wire carrying a current is
placed in a magnetic field (with
lines of force at right angles to the
wire) then it will experience a
force:
• At right angles to the current
direction
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
 If a wire carrying a current is
placed in a magnetic field (with
lines of force at right angles to the
wire) then it will experience a
force:
• At right angles to the current
direction
• At right angles to the magnetic
field lines.

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If a wire carrying a current is
placed in a magnetic field (with
lines of force at right angles to the
wire) then it will experience a
force:
• At right angles to the current
direction
• At right angles to the magnetic
field lines.

The force on the wire is

increased if:
• The current is increased
• A stronger magnet is used
• The length of the wire in the
field is increased
 How can we
predict the
direction of the
force on the wire?
 How can we To predict the
predict the direction we can
direction of the use Fleming’s
force on the wire? left-hand rule
Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule
 The forefinger represents the
direction of the field between the
N and S poles of the magnet.
 The forefinger represents the
direction of the field between the
N and S poles of the magnet.
The second finger represents the
direction of the current in the
conducting wire
 The thumb shows the resultant
force acting on the wire.
The forefinger represents the
direction of the field between the
N and S poles of the magnet.
The second finger represents the
direction of the current in the
conducting wire
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize

So, applying
Fleming’s left-hand
rule to the example
given ….
 So, applying
Fleming’s left-hand
rule to the example
given ….
Forefinger (magnetic field)
 )
nt
rre

So, applying
(cu

Fleming’s left-hand
er
ng
d fi

rule to the example

n
co

given ….
Se

Forefinger (magnetic field)

 )
nt
rre

So, applying
(cu

Fleming’s left-hand
er
ng
d fi

rule to the example

n
co

given ….
Se

Forefinger (magnetic field)

Thumb (movement)
Example 1
Answer 1
Example 2
Answer 2
Example 3
Answer 3
Example 4
Answer 4
Example 5
Answer 5
Example 6
Answer 6
Example 7
Answer 7
 Some devices use the
)
nt

fact that there is a

rre
(cu

force on a current-
er
ng

carrying conductor in
n d fi

a magnetic field – for

co
Se

Forefinger (magnetic field) example, a

loudspeaker.
Thumb (movement)
 State that a current-
carrying coil in a
Turning Effect on a Coil magnetic field
experiences a turning
effect, and describe
the factors that can
increase this effect.
 State that a current-
carrying coil in a
Turning effect Simple motor magnetic field
experiences a turning
effect, and describe
the factors that can
increase this effect.

Turning effect
Current-carrying wire
State that a current-
carrying coil in a
magnetic field
experiences a turning
effect, and describe
the factors that can
increase this effect.

Magnetic field

Force on the wire

 State that a current-
carrying coil in a
Turning effect magnetic field
experiences a turning
effect, and describe
Current-carrying wire the factors that can
increase this effect.

Magnetic field

Force on the wire

1) In the coil of wire the current flows

along one side in one direction, and in
the opposite direction on the other.

1
 State that a current-
carrying coil in a
Turning effect magnetic field
experiences a turning
effect, and describe
Force on the wire the factors that can
increase this effect.

Magnetic field

Current-carrying wire

1) In the coil of wire the current flows

along one side in one direction, and in
the opposite direction on the other.
2) According to Fleming’s left hand rule
2
one side is pushed up by the magnetic
field, and one is pushed down.
1
 State that a current-
carrying coil in a
Turning effect magnetic field
experiences a turning
effect, and describe
Current-carrying wire the factors that can
increase this effect.

Magnetic field

Force on the wire

1) In the coil of wire the current flows

3 along one side in one direction, and in
the opposite direction on the other.
2) According to Fleming’s left hand rule
2
one side is pushed up by the magnetic
field, and one is pushed down.
1 3) These opposing forces on the coil of
wire will result in a turning effect.
A coil carries a current in a magnetic field. The coil
experiences a turning effect. Which device uses
this effect?
a. a d.c. motor
b. an electromagnet
c. a relay
d. transformer
A current-carrying coil in a magnetic field experiences a
turning effect.
 

How can the turning effect be increased?

The diagram shows a simple d.c. electric motor which is rotating.
Which change will make the motor rotate more quickly?
 

a. increasing the number of turns on the coil

b. removing the magnets
c. reversing the battery
d. reversing the polarity of the magnets
A metal rod PQ rests on two horizontal metal wires that are attached to a battery.
The rod lies between the poles of a magnet.
 

When the switch is closed, the rod moves to the right. What could be changed so
that the rod moves to the left?
a. Open the switch.
b. Reverse the battery terminals and exchange the poles of the magnet.
c. Reverse the battery terminals but without exchanging the poles of the magnet.
d. Turn the metal rod around (P and Q exchanged).
 State that a current-
carrying coil in a
Turning effect magnetic field
experiences a turning
effect, and describe
the factors that can
Simple DC motor increase this effect.

Coil

Magnetic
field

DC
Supply

Coil is made from insulated copper

wire, and is free to rotate between
the poles of the magnet. The
commutator (or split ring) is fixed
to the coil, and is in contact with
the brushes from the DC supply.
 Turning effect Commutator detail

coil
commutator
Simple DC motor brush

Coil

Magnetic
field

DC
Supply

Coil is made from insulated copper

wire, and is free to rotate between
the poles of the magnet. The
commutator (or split ring) is fixed
to the coil, and is in contact with
the brushes from the DC supply.
 Turning effect Commutator detail

coil
commutator
Simple DC motor brush

Coil

Magnetic
field

N S
DC
Supply
When the coil is horizontal
between the poles of the
Coil is made from insulated copper
magnet the forces have their
wire, and is free to rotate between
maximum turning effect
the poles of the magnet. The
(leverage) on the coil.
commutator (or split ring) is fixed
to the coil, and is in contact with
the brushes from the DC supply.
 Turning effect Commutator detail

coil
commutator
Simple DC motor brush

Coil

Magnetic
field

N S
DC
Supply

Coil is made from insulated copper

If there was no change to the
wire, and is free to rotate between
forces then the coil would
the poles of the magnet. The
come to rest in the vertical
commutator (or split ring) is fixed
position
to the coil, and is in contact with
the brushes from the DC supply.
 Turning effect Commutator detail

coil
commutator
Simple DC motor brush

Coil

Magnetic
field

DC
Supply
Coil is made from insulated copper
wire, and is free to rotate between
the poles of the magnet. The
commutator (or split ring) is fixed
to the coil, and is in contact with
the brushes from the DC supply.
N S
But the coil has momentum, so
it overshoots the vertical
position, the commutator
changes the direction of the
current through it, so the
forces change direction and
keep the coil turning.
 State that a current-
carrying coil in a
Turning effect magnetic field
experiences a turning
effect, and describe
the factors that can
Simple DC motor increase this effect.

Coil

Magnetic
field

DC The coil would rotate anticlockwise

Supply if either the battery or the poles
of the magnet were the other way
Coil is made from insulated copper round.
wire, and is free to rotate between
the poles of the magnet. The
commutator (or split ring) is fixed
to the coil, and is in contact with
the brushes from the DC supply.
 State that a current-
carrying coil in a
Turning effect magnetic field
experiences a turning
effect, and describe
the factors that can
Simple DC motor increase this effect.

Coil

Magnetic
field

The turning effect on the coil can

DC be increased by:
Supply
• Increasing the current;
• Using a stronger magnet;
Coil is made from insulated copper
• Increasing the number of turns
wire, and is free to rotate between
the poles of the magnet. The on the coil;
• Increasing the area of the coil.
commutator (or split ring) is fixed
to the coil, and is in contact with
the brushes from the DC supply.