Electromagnets

and the Motor

effect
 Outcomes for this Lesson
In this lesson you will
• draw magnetic field lines around various
conductors
• define the concepts electromagnetism,
electromagnets
• explain the motion of a charged particle in a
magnetic field
• demonstrate a brief understanding of the
motor effect .
 Key Concepts

• Magnetic Field
• Electromagnet

• Solenoid
• Motor Effect
Magnetic effect of conductors
DEFINITION: Electromagnetism is the study of the
properties of and relationship between electric
currents and magnetic fields.
When the switch is open:
S no effect on compass needle.
When the switch, S, is closed:
compass needle deflects

If current flows through a conductor, a magnetic field is

created around it.
Magnetic field around a straight wire
The magnetic field lines caused by the
electric current are arranged in concentric
circles around the straight wire.

The field lines are at right current

angles to the wire.

The direction of the field lines is determined

by the Right Hand Rule.
 The Right Hand Rule
If you grasp the conductor with your right hand, with
your thumb pointing in the direction of the electric
current, the curled fingers represent the direction of
the induced magnetic field.
Diagrammatic representation
anticlockwise

clockwise
towards the away from
observer the observer
 A current-carrying loop

N The magnetic field is stronger

inside the loop because the
field lines are closer together.
S
The magnetic field lines closest to the wire are circular.
Near the centre of the circle the magnetic field is fairly
uniform (field lines parallel), from S to N.

The direction of the magnetic field can be determined

by the Right Hand Rule.
 Electromagnets
DEFINITION : An electromagnet is a material which
becomes magnetized when there is current flowing
through it.
Advantage: it can be switched on and off.
A solenoid is a set of tightly wound coils
connected to a voltage source.
Some uses include:
- lifting magnets
- electric bells
- loud speakers
 Strength of a solenoid
The strength of a solenoid depends on:
the current in the coil:
- the greater the current, the stronger
the induced magnetic field

the number of turns around the core

- the more turns, the stronger the
induced magnetic field

the type of substance used in the core

The magnetic field of a solenoid
The magnetic field around a solenoid resembles
that around a bar magnet and is from north to south.

N S
N S

The direction of the field lines inside solenoid is from

south to north because the magnetic field lines form
closed loops.
 Polarity of a solenoid
The Right Hand Solenoid Rule: if you place your
right hand around the solenoid with your curled
fingers pointing in the direction of the current,
then your thumb points in the direction of the
N-pole of the solenoid.

magnetic field (N)

N S
current
Motion of a charged particle in a B-field
A charged particle experiences a force
when passing through a magnetic field.
If the velocity of the particle is perpindicular
to the field, the force is at a maximum.
The force is then perpindicular to the
field and the velocity and is given by:
q: the charge on the particle
F = qvB v: velocity of particle
B: magnetic field strength
Motion of a charged particle in a B-field
The direction of the force on a positive particle
moving in a unifom B-field is determined by force
the Right Hand Rule: velocity
The resultant path of the charged
particle is a circle.
field
B-field into screen
v The particle experiences
F centripetal acceleration.

The force is directed towards the

center of the circle at all points.
 Motor Effect
The motion of a current-carrying conductor in a
magnetic field is called the motor effect.

N S

towards the observer away from the observer

This causes a turning effect hence is used in motors.
Flemmings Left Hand Rule used here too
 Summary: Definitions

DEFINITION: Electromagnetism is the study of the

properties of and relationship between electric
currents and magnetic fields.

DEFINITION : An electromagnet is a material which

becomes magnetized when there is current flowing
through it.

End