CHAPTER 4 : MAGNETISM

4.1 Magnetic field

4.2 Magnetic field produced by current-
carrying conductor
4.3 Force on a moving charged particle in a
uniform magnetic field
4.4 Force on a current-carrying conductor in
a uniform magnetic field
4.5 Forces between two parallel current-
carrying conductors
4.6 Torque on a coil
4.7 Motion of charged particle in magnetic
field and electric field
4.1 Magnetic Field

Learning Outcomes :
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to ;

(i) Define magnetic field.

(ii) Identify magnetic field sources.

(iii) Sketch the magnetic field lines.

4.1 Magnetic field
• is defined as a region surrounding a magnet
or a conductor carrying current where a
magnetic force is experienced.
• Magnets always have two poles :
a) North and south poles.
b) Like poles repel and unlike poles attract.
Magnetic field lines
• A magnetic field can be represented by
magnetic field lines (straight lines or curves).
• Arrows on the lines show the direction of the
field : the arrows point away from north poles
and towards south poles.
Magnetic field lines 4.1 Magnetic field

• A uniform field is represented by parallel

lines. This means that the number of lines
passing perpendicularly through unit area
at all cross-sections in a magnetic field
are the same as shown below.

unit cross-
sectional area
Magnetic field lines 4.1 Magnetic field

• A non-uniform field is represented by non-

parallel lines. The number of magnetic field
lines varies at different unit cross-sections
as shown below.

A1 A2
Magnetic field lines 4.1 Magnetic field

• Magnetic field lines do not intersect

one another.

• The tangent to a curved field line at a

point indicates the direction of the
magnetic field at that point.

P direction of
magnetic field at
point P.
Magnetic field lines 4.1 Magnetic field

• The number of lines per unit cross section

area is an indication of the “strength” of
the field. The number of lines per unit
cross-sectional area is proportional to
the magnitude of the magnetic field.

A1 A2

stronger field in A1
Magnetic field lines 4.1 Magnetic field

• Magnetic field can also be represented by

crosses or by dotted circles as shown
below.

Magnetic field lines Magnetic field lines

enter the page leave the page
perpendicularly perpendicularly
B into the page B out of page
 Field Patterns 4.1 Magnetic field

• The magnetic field lines pattern can be

obtained by using iron filings or a plotting
compass.

the arrowhead of a
compass needle is
a north pole.
Field Patterns 4.1 Magnetic field

• The direction of the magnetic field at a point

is defined as the direction of a compass
needle points when placed at that point.
Field Patterns 4.1 Magnetic field

a. A bar magnet b. Horseshoe or U magnet

c. Two bar magnets (unlike pole) - attractive

Field Patterns 4.1 Magnetic field

d. Two bar magnets (like poles) - repulsive

Neutral point
(point where the resultant
magnetic force/field
strength is zero)
Field Patterns 4.1 Magnetic field

e. A circular coil
f. A long g. A solenoid
straight
wire
Field Patterns 4.1 Magnetic field

h. Earth
Magnetic Field
 4.1 Magnetic field
Magnetic Flux, Ф
• Is a measure of the number of field lines
that cross a surface area.
• Is defined as the scalar product between
the magnetic flux density, B and the
vector of the surface area, A. 
  area, A A

 = B • A = BA cos θ θ
B
B = magnetic field strength
= magnetic flux density
 = magnetic flux
θ = angle between the direction of B and A.
A = the area that field lines pass through
 4.1 Magnetic field
Magnetic Flux, Ф

• Scalar quantity.
• Unit : weber(Wb)/ tesla-meter squared
(T.m2)
1 T.m2 = 1 Wb
• Consider a uniform magnetic field B passing
through a surface area A as shown in figure
area, A
below. 
In Figure below,  = 0 A
 = BA cos 0 

 B  BA B
 4.1 Magnetic field
Magnetic Flux, Ф

If  = 90

 = BA cos 90 
B
=0
A
Magnetic Flux Density, B
• Is defined as the magnetic flux per unit
area at right angles to the magnetic
field.
  = magnetic flux
B=
A⊥ A⊥ = area at right angles to the
magnetic field
 4.1 Magnetic field
Magnetic Flux Density, B

• Vector quantity and its direction follows

the direction of the magnetic field.
• Unit : weber per metre squared (Wb m-2)
or tesla (T).
-2 4
1 T = 1 W b m = 10 gauss(G)
 4.2 Magnetic Field Produced by Current-
Carrying Conductor
Learning outcomes :
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to ;
Apply magnetic field formula ;
(i) B   o I for a long straight wire
2r
(ii) o I at the centre of circular coil
B
2r
(iii) B   nI at the centre of a solenoid
o
1
(iv) B   o nI at the end of solenoid
2
 4.2 Magnetic field produced by current-carrying conductor

Types of current-carrying conductor

1. A long straight wire

2. A circular coil

3. A solenoid
 4.2 Magnetic field produced by current-carrying conductor

1. A long straight wire

• B is a vector quantity.
Magnitude :
o I
B
2r


B
I

B μ0 : permeabili ty
Current out of the page
of free space
(4 x 10 -7 H m-1)
View from the top
4.2 Magnetic field (B) produced by current - carrying conductor

B = magnetic field strength/ flux

density (T)
I = current in the wire (A)
r = perpendicularly distance of P from
the wire (m)
μo = constant of proportionality
known as the permeability of
free space (vacuum)
= 4π x 10-7 Henry per metre (H m-1)
r
P•
Direction : o I
right-hand grip rule BP =
2r
out of the page
4.2 Magnetic field (B) produced by current - carrying conductor

Example 1
Determine the magnetic field strength at
point X and Y from a long, straight wire
carrying a current of 5 A as shown below.
X
2 cm

I=5A
6 cm
Y
o I
BX = = 5.0 x 10-5 T , into the page
2r
BY = 1.67 x 10-5 T , out of the page
4.2 Magnetic field (B) produced by current - carrying conductor

2. A circular coil
N
I X I
I S
R
N
S
I I
4.2 Magnetic field (B) produced by current - carrying conductor

Magnetic field strength  o NI

at the center given as: B=
2r
o I r = radius of the coil
B (m)
* For N loops / number
2r of turns on the coil
4.2 Magnetic field (B) produced by current - carrying conductor

Example 2
A circular coil having 400 turns of wire in air
has a radius of 6 cm and is in the plane of the
paper. What is the value of current must exist
in the coil to produce a flux density of 2 mT at
its center ? ANS: ???
4.2 Magnetic field (B) produced by current - carrying conductor

3. A solenoid

I I
or

X I X I X I X I

I I I I
4.2 Magnetic field (B) produced by current - carrying conductor

Magnetic field strength

at the center

B   o nI L

N
where n =
L
= number of turns
per length
4.2 Magnetic field (B) produced by current - carrying conductor

Example 3
An air-core solenoid with 2000 loops is 60 cm
long and has a diameter of 2.0 cm. If a
current of 5.0 A is sent through it, what will be
the flux density within it ?
ANS: ???
N
B =  o nI where n = L
4.2 Magnetic field (B) produced by current - carrying conductor

Example 4
A solenoid is constructed by winding 400 turns of wire
on a 20 cm iron core. The relative permeability of the
iron is 13000. What current is required to produce a
magnetic induction of 0.5 T in the center of the
solenoid ? ANS: ???

The permeability of the core,

   r  o  (13000) x( 4 x 10 )  1.63 x 10 H m
-7 -2 -1
4.2 Magnetic field (B) produced by current - carrying conductor

Exercises (DIY)

1. Two straight parallel wires are 30 cm apart

and each carries a current of 20 A. Find
the magnitude and direction of the
magnetic field at a point in the plane of the
wires that is 10 cm from one wire and 20
cm from the other if the currents are:
(i) in the same direction,
(ii) in the opposite direction.
2. A student is provided with a 3.0 m long wire with a
current of 0.15 A flowing through it. What is the
strength of the magnetic field at the centre of the
wire if the wire is bent into a circular coil of one
turn ? ( B = 1.97 x 10-7 T )

3. A circular coil has 15 turns and a diameter of 45.0

cm. If the magnetic field strength at the centre of
the coil is 8.0 x 10-4 T, find the current flowing in
the coil. ( I = 19.1 A )
( µ0 = 4π x 10-7 Hm-1 )
 4.3 Force on a Moving Charged Particle
in a Uniform Magnetic Field
Learning Outcomes :
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to ;

(i)Use force, F  qv x B
(ii)Describe circular motion of a charge in a uniform magnetic field.

(iii) Use relationship

FB  Fc
4.3 Force on a moving charged particle
in a uniform magnetic field.
 A charge, q moving with speed, v at angle, Ө
with the direction of a uniform magnetic field
of magnitude, B experiences a magnetic
force of magnitude,
F  qv x B
F = Bqv sin  F  qvB sin 

* Where Ө = angle between B and v

* For electron , q = e.
4.3 Force on a moving charged particle in a uniform magnetic field.

Direction of F : F = Bqv sin 

• Fleming’s right hand rule : - negative charge
• Fleming’s left hand rule : - positive charge
  
 F F
B B

 
v v

negative charge positive charge

Thumb – direction of Force (F)
First finger – direction of Magnetic field (B)
Second finger – direction of Velocity (v)
4.3 Force on a moving charged particle in a uniform magnetic field.

Example 5
Determine the direction of the magnetic force,
exerted on a charge in each problem below.

  
 v To the left B v
 
B Into the paper
a. c.

X X X X Upwards
 
X X X X
 v
 v
BX X X X To the left
I d.
b.
4.3 Force on a moving charged particle in a uniform magnetic field.

Example 6
Determine the sign of a charge in each
problem below.

  F
F B
 
v B

v
4.3 Force on a moving charged particle in a uniform magnetic field.

Example 7 F = Bqv sin 

A charge q1 = 25.0 μC moves with a speed of 4.5 x

103 m/s perpendicularly to a uniform magnetic field.
The charge experiences a magnetic force of 7.31 x
10-3 N. A second charge q2 = 5.00 μC travels at an
angle of 40.0 o with respect to the same magnetic
field and experiences a 1.90 x 10 -3 N force.
Determine
(i) The magnitude of the magnetic field and
(ii) The speed of q2.
4.3 Force on a moving charged particle in a uniform magnetic field.

Solution 7 F = Bqv sin 

q1 = 25.0 μC , v1 = 4.5 x 103 m/s, Ө1= 90.0 o
F1 = 7.31 x 10-3 N, q2 = 5.00 μC, Ө2 = 40.0 o,
F2 = 1.90 x 10 -3 N force.

F1
(i) B  B1   6.50 x 10 T  B2
-2

q1v1
F2
(ii) B1  B2 
q2 v2 sin 40
v2 = 9.10 x 103 m/s
4.3 Force on a moving charged particle in a uniform magnetic field.

Exercise F = Bqv sin 

1) Calculate the magnitude of the force on a
proton travelling 3.1 x 107 m s-1 in the uniform
magnetic flux density of 1.6 Wb m-2,if :
i. the velocity of the proton is perpendicular to the
magnetic field.
F  7 . 9 x 10 -12
N
ii. the velocity of the proton makes an angle 60 with
the magnetic field.
(charge of the proton = +1.60 x 10 -19 C)

F  6 . 9 x 10 -12
N
4.3 Force on a moving charged particle in a uniform magnetic field.

Circular Motion of a Charged Particle in a

Uniform Magnetic Field
 Consider a charged particle moving in a uniform
magnetic field with its velocity (v) perpendicularly to
the magnetic field (B).
 As the particle enters the region, it will experience a
magnetic force (F) which the force is perpendicular
to the velocity of the particle. Hence the direction of
its velocity changes but the magnetic force remains
perpendicular to the velocity.
 This magnetic force causes the particle to move in
a circle.
4.3 Force on a moving charged particle in a uniform magnetic field.
Circular Motion of a Charged Particle in a Uniform Magnetic Field
 
X X X X v v
v  
 FB 
X X X FB X FB 
 
 X
F
X B X X
v v 
  v
X X X X
B into the B out of
page the page

• The magnetic force provides the centripetal

force for the particle to move in circular motion.
mv 2 mv r=?
FB  Fc Bqv sin   r m=?
r Bq
  90 
4.3 Force on a moving charged particle in a uniform magnetic field.

Circular Motion of a Charged Particle in a Uniform Magnetic Field

• The time for one rotation (period),

2r mv
T and r
v Bq

2m 1
T and T
Bq f

Bq
f 
2m
4.3 Force on a moving charged particle in a uniform magnetic field.

Exercise (DIY)
1) A proton is moving with velocity 3 x 10 5
m/s
vertically across a magnetic field 0.02 T.
(mp = 1.67 x 10 -27 kg)
Calculate ;

a) kinetic energy of the proton

b) the magnetic force exerted on the proton
c) the radius of the circular path of the
proton.
7.52 x 10-17 J , 9.6 x 10 -16 N, 0.16 m
4.3 Force on a moving charged particle in a uniform magnetic field.

Exercise

2) An electron is projected from left to right into a

magnetic field directed into the page. The
velocity of the electron is 2 x 10 6 ms-1 and the
magnetic flux density of the field is 3.0 T. Find
the magnitude and direction of the magnetic
force on the electron.
(charge of electron = 1.6 x 10-19 C)
(9.6 x 10-13 N, downwards)
3) A proton with a mass of 1.67 x 10-27 kg is moving
in a circular orbit perpendicular to a magnetic
field. The angular velocity of the proton is 1.96 x
104 rad s-1 . Determine ;
i. the period of revolution, (T = 3.2 x 10-4 s )
ii. the magnetic field strength of the field.
(B = 2.05 x 10-4 T)
(charge of proton = 1.6 x 10-19 C)
 4.4 Force on a Current- Carrying
Conductor in a Uniform Magnetic
Field

Learning Outcomes :
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to ;
  
(i) Use force, F  I L  B  
• When a current-carrying conductor is
placed in a magnetic field B, thus a
magnetic force will act on that conductor.
• The magnitude of the magnetic force
exerts on the current-carrying conductor is
given by
F  BIL sin θ
In vector form,
form   

F  I LB 
4.4 Force on a current-carrying conductor in a uniform magnetic field.


F  BIL sin θ F 
B
F : magnetic force
I : current I
L : length of the conductor 
θ : angle between direction of I and B
B : m agnitude of the m agnetic flux density
• Direction of F: Fleming’s left hand rule.
Thumb – direction of Force (F)
First finger – direction of Magnetic field (B)
Second finger – direction of Current (I)
4.4 Force on a current-carrying conductor in a uniform magnetic field.

F  BIL sin θ

• B
F = 0 when Ө=0
F  BIL sin 0 
I
  0
F 0

• F is maximum when Ө=90o


Fmax  BIL sin 90  B

Fmax  BIL   90 
I
4.4 Force on a current-carrying conductor in a uniform magnetic field.

Example 4.4.1
Determine the direction of the magnetic force,
exerted on a conductor carrying current, I in each
problem below.
a. X X X X
b. X X X X
X X X X X X X X

 I  I
X
BX X X X BX X X

a. X X X X
b. X X X X 
 F
X X X X (to the right)
F X X X X
(to theleft) I  I
X
BX X X X BX X X
4.4 Force on a current-carrying conductor in a uniform magnetic field.

Example 4.4.2
A wire of length 0.655 m carries a current
of 21.0 A. In the presence of a 0.470 T
magnetic field, the wire experiences a
force of 5.46 N . What is the angle (less
than 90o) between the wire and the
magnetic field?
F  BIL sin θ
F
 = sin -1
BIL
4.4 Force on a current-carrying conductor in a uniform magnetic field.

Exercise F  BIL sin θ

1. A square coil of wire containing a single turn is
placed in a uniform 0.25 T magnetic field. Each
side has a length of 0.32 m, and the current in
the coil is 12 A. Determine the magnitude of the
magnetic force on each of the four sides.

B
90o
0.96 N (top and bottom sides)
I 0 N (left and right sides)
2. A straight wire with a length of 0.65 m and
mass of 75 g is placed in a uniform magnetic
field of 1.62 T. If the current flowing in the wire
is perpendicular to the magnetic field,
calculate the current required to balance the
wire ? ( I = 0.70 A )
(g = 9.81 ms-2 )
 4.5 Forces Between Two Parallel
Current- Carrying Conductors

Learning Outcomes :
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to ;

(i)Derive force per unit length of two parallel current-carrying

conductors.
F 0 I1I 2
(ii)Use force per unit length, 
L 2d
(iii)Define one ampere.
 • Consider two identical straight conductors X
and Y carrying currents I1 and I2 with length
L are placed parallel to each other as shown
below. X Y
• The conductors are in I1 I2 
vacuum and their
 B1
F12
separation is d. P

Q F21

B2
I1 I2
d
4.5 Forces between two parallel current- carrying conductors.

• The magnitude of the magnetic flux density, B1 at

point P on conductor Y due to the current in
conductor X is given by I
B1  0 1 into the page
2d
• Conductor Y
carries a current I2 X Y
and in the I1 I2 
 B1
magnetic field B1 F12
P
then conductor Y

experiences a F21
Q
magnetic force, 
F12. B2
I1 I2
d
4.5 Forces between two parallel current- carrying conductors.

• The magnitude of F12 :

F12 = B1 I 2 L sin   0 I1
B1 =
2 d

 0 I1 
F12 = I 2 L sin 90
2 d X Y
I1 I2 
 0 I1  B1
F12 = I2L F12
2 d P

to the left (towards X) Q F21

B2
I1
d I2   90 
4.5 Forces between two parallel current- carrying conductors.

• The magnitude of F21 :

F21 = B 2 I 1 L sin  0 I2
B2 =
2 d
0 I2
F21 = I 1L sin 90 
2 d
X Y
0 I2
F21 = I 1L I1 I2 
2 d  B1
F12
to the right (towards Y) P

Q F21
   0 I 1I 2 L
F12 = F21 = F = 
2 d B2
I1
d I2   90 
Attractive force
4.5 Forces between two parallel current- carrying conductors.

• If the direction of current in conductor Y is changed

to upside down as shown below …
X Y
   0 I 1I 2 L
I1 I2  F12 = F21 = F =
B1  2 d
P F12
 Repulsive force
Q B2

F21
I1 I2
d
• The currents are in the same direction :
(2 conductors attract each other)
• The currents are in the opposite direction :
(2 conductors repel each other)
4.5 Forces between two parallel current- carrying conductors.

   0 I 1I 2 L F  0 I1I 2
F12 = F21 = F = Rearrange, 
2 d L 2d

If I1 = I2 = 1 A and d = 1 m , then

F 4 x 10 -7 (1)(1)
=
L 2(1)
F
= 2 x 10 -7 N/m Definition of 1 Ampere
L
4.5 Forces between two parallel current- carrying conductors.

Definition of 1 Ampere
One ampere is defined as the constant
current that, when it is flowing in each of
two infinitely long, straight, parallel
conductors which have negligible of cross
sectional areas and are 1.0 metre apart in
vacuum, would produce a force per
unit length between the conductors of
2.0 x 10-7 N m-1.
4.5 Forces between two parallel current- carrying conductors.

Example 4.5.1
Two very long parallel wires are placed 2.0 cm
apart in air. Both wires carry a current of 8.0 A
and 10 A respectively. Find the magnitude of
the magnetic force in newton, on each metre
length of wire.
μ0 I 1 I 2 L
F
2 πd
4.5 Forces between two parallel current- carrying conductors.

Exercise
1. Two long parallel wires are 5.0 cm apart. They
each exerts a force of attraction per unit length on
the other of 6 x 10 -7 Nm-1 . The current in one
wire is 400 mA.
i. Calculate the current in the second wire.
ii. In which direction is the current in the second
wire, relative to the first ?

F  0 I 1I 2
= * I2 = 0.375 A (same direction)
L 2 d
4.7 Motion of charged particle in magnetic
field and electric field
Learning Outcomes :
At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to ;

(i)Explain the motion of a charged particle in both

magnetic field and electric field.
E
(ii)Derive and use velocity, v  in a velocity
B
selector.
4.7 Motion of charged particle in
magnetic field and electric field
• Consider a charged particle +q moves
with a velocity v in combined electric and
magnetic fields (the electric and magnetic
fields are perpendicular), the particle
experiences no resultant force ( a = 0).
• The particle will continue to move in the
same direction with the same velocity.
• For this to happen, the electric force
downward must balance the magnetic
force upwards (refer diagram),
4.7 Motion of charged particle in magnetic field and electric field

FE  FB FB = Bqv sin 
qE  Bqv ,   90o
E
v
B

x x x x x x
+ + + + + + +
x x x x x x
FB
+ x x + x x x x
v FE v
x x x x x x

x
-x - x- - x- - x- x
4.7 Motion of charged particle in magnetic field and electric field

Velocity Selector
• A velocity selector uses this property of
crossed electric and magnetic fields to
select a single velocity of particle; only
particles traveling at this velocity will be
undeflected.
4.7 Motion of charged particle in magnetic field and electric field

Velocity selector
4.7 Motion of charged particle in magnetic field and electric field

Example 4.7.1
What is the velocity of protons (+1 e)
injected through a velocity selector if E =
3 x 105 V/m and B = 0.25 T ?
Solution

= 1.20 x 106 m/s

4.7 Motion of charged particle in magnetic field and electric field

Exercise
A velocity selector is to be constructed to
select ions (positive) moving to the right at
6.0 km/s. The electric field is 300 Vm-1
upwards. What should be the magnitude
and direction of the magnetic field?

Solution

E
B   0.05 T, out of page
v
4.7 Motion of charged particle in magnetic field and electric field

• When the magnetic field only is applied,

the particle moves in an arc of a circle of
radius r under the action of the centrally-
directed magnetic,

FB = Fc
2
mv E
Bqv = but v =
r B
q E
= 2
m B r
4.7 Motion of charged particle in magnetic field and electric field

Only B
is
applied

Both E and
B are
applied
4.7 Motion of charged particle in magnetic field and electric field
4.7 Motion of charged particle in magnetic field and electric field

A mass spectrometer
• A mass spectrometer is a device used for
separating atoms or molecules according
to their mass.
• The atoms or molecules are ionized and
then accelerated through an electric field,
giving them a speed which depends on
their mass (their kinetic energies are all
the same).
• Then they enter a region of uniform
magnetic field, which bends them in a
circular path.
4.7 Motion of charged particle in magnetic field and electric field

A mass spectrometer
• The radius of the path depends on the
momentum of the particle; if the kinetic
energies are the same and the masses
are different, the momentum will be
different as well.

• A detector can be placed to detect

particles whose path has a particular
radius, thereby selecting a particular
mass.
4.7 Motion of charged particle in magnetic field and electric field

A mass spectrometer
 Exercise
In a mass spectrometer, singly positively charged ions of
different isotope of an element enter a region of cross electric
field, E = 1.5×105 Vm-1, and magnetic field, B = 0.83 T that are
,mutually perpendicular. The ions that emerge from the slit, S
enter a uniform magnetic field of flux density 0.83 T and move
separately along two different semicircles before striking the
points X and Y of a photographic film.
a)What is the velocity, v of the ions that emerge from slit S?
b)The distance of point X from slit S is 6.75 cm. calculate the
mass of ions that strike the photographic plate at X?
c)The mass of the ions that strike the photographic plate at Y is
6u. Calculate the distance of Y from slit S. [1u=1.66×10 -27 kg]