17.

14 ELECTROMAGNETISM
SAFETY NOTE: A short circuit
The area around a magnet, in which we can detect the occurs when the terminals of any
force of the magnet, is called a magnetic field. Magnetic source of electricity are connected
fields can be detected with iron filings or with a magnetic directly to one another by a wire of
compass (Module 4.12). An electric current has a magnetic low resistance (as in the activity
below). Short circuits are dangerous
field and the text box below on the right describes a simple because they involve high currents
activity to show this. As you will see from diagram 2, the which may cause fires and may
magnetic field is at right angles to the current. The earths damage the power supply.
magnetic field is caused by a stream of charged particles
emitted from the sun as they shoot past the earth like a
vast electric current in space.
An electromagnet is a coil of insulated The magnetic field of an electric current
wire wrapped around a rod or bar of soft
iron. When the ends of the wire are Use a thin, insulated wire about a meter long. Strip 1
connected to a source of electricity, the cm of insulator from each end. Lay out part of the wire
magnetic field of the electric current is in a straight line and place a small compass on top of
concentrated in the iron and it becomes it. Line up the direction of the wire with the compass
a strong magnet. When the current is (1). Touch the ends of the wire briefly to the poles of a
1.5 v cell. The compass swings to line up with the
switched off, the electromagnet loses its magnetic field of the electric current in the wire (2).
power, but if the soft iron rod is replaced
by a steel one, the steel rod becomes a 1. Find 2 ways to make the compass point the other way!
permanent magnet. You can easily
make your own electromagnet with
about a metre of insulated wire, coiled + +
around a large iron nail. The diagram
shows the direction of the current in the compass on compass on
top of wire
1 top of wire 2

conventional way; that is, flowing from the positive terminal of the power source, around the
circuit and back to the negative terminal. When you look at the end of an
electromagnet, if the current flows clockwise that is the south pole of the magnet; if
it flows anticlockwise that is the north pole. The diagram (above left) shows an easy
way to remember this.
Electromagnets have many uses including electric buzzers and hammer
bells. Look at the diagram of the bell on the bell
right. Electricity flows from the +, through the contact
spring to the contact point, then through the point
electromagnet and back to the . This
attracts the soft iron, pulls the spring away
from the contact point, and makes the
hammer hit the bell. Now the circuit is broken soft
at the contact point so the electromagnet is iron
switched off and the spring springs back. It
makes contact with the contact point again. electromagnet
This switches on the current and the process spring
repeats itself many times a second! The +
same idea is used in devices called relays
which use electromagnets to operate switches. Huge electromagnets on
cranes are used to pick up scrap iron and electromagnetic coils are also used
to make permanent magnets from steel and alloys such as alnico.
The motor effect. When a conductor carries an electric current close
to a magnet, it experiences a force called the motor effect. This is
caused by attraction and repulsion between the magnetic field of the
current and the magnetic field of the magnet. If electricity is passed
through a loop or a coil between the poles of a magnet, it experiences
N S a turning force. This is the basis of the electric motor (Module 14.8).
Electromagnetic induction. When a conductor moves in a magnetic
field, an electric current is induced in the conductor. If a loop or coil of
wire is made to rotate between the poles of a magnet, a current will
+ flow through the coil. This is the basis of most electricity generators.
2. What are (i) a magnetic field, (ii) a magnetic pole,
(iii) an electromagnet, (iv) electromagnetic induction?
3. Find out what alnico is and what it is used for.
4. Design a simple relay to switch on a light.

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