5

MAGNETISME

5.0 MAGNETIC FIELDS

Magnetic field is defined as the region round a magnet, where a magnetic force occurs. Magnetic field
is a vector quantity which has both magnitude and direction. The direction of the magnetic field at a
given point in space is indicated by the north pole of a compass needle as illustrated in Figure 5.1.
Magnetic field is measured in Tesla (T) or Weber per square meter (Wb/m2).

S N

.1 Figure 5.1

S N

Figure 5.2

A magnet has at least one north pole and one south pole. Since a compass needle points away from a
north pole (N) and toward a south pole (S), magnetic field lines of a magnet exit north pole (N) and
enter south pole (S) as shown in Figure 5.2.

52
The direction of magnetic field at a given point in space is tangent to the magnetic field line at that
point. Figure 5.3 shows the direction of magnetic field at point A and point B around a magnet.

Direction of magnetic field at point

A is tangent to the magnetic field
line at that point

S N
B

Direction of magnetic field at point

B is tangent to the magnetic field
line at that point

Figure 5.3

The strength of the magnetic field is proportional to the number of lines per unit area that passes
through a surface perpendicular to the lines. In regions where the field lines are relatively close
together, the magnetic field is stronger and in regions where the field lines are far apart, the magnetic
field is weaker (Figure5.4).

Region
whereby
field lines
are far apart,
S N the magnetic
field is
weak.

Figure 5.4

53
Same type of poles will repel each other (Figure 5.5), while unlike poles will attract each other
(Figure 5.6).

S N N S

Figure 5.5

S N S N

Figure 5.6

54
Exercise 5.1

Determine the directions of the magnetic fields at points A, B, C, D and E in the following figures.
Show the directions of the magnetic fields by using arrows.

S N

Figure 5.7

Current, I

C D Hint: For Figure 5.8, use

right-hand rule to
E determine the direction
of the magnetic field
around the wire.

Figure 5.8

Earth’s Magnetic Field

Near the Earth’s surface, the magnetic field is approximately that of a dipole (two opposite poles).
The magnetic field is similar to that of a bar magnet, as if a bar magnet (fictitious bar magnet) were
buried at the center of the Earth. In general, the magnetic field at the surface of the Earth has both
horizontal and vertical components. The vertical component can be measured directly using a dip
meter (a compass mounted so that it can rotate in a vertical plane), while the horizontal component is
measured using a horizontally mounted compass.

Note the orientation of the fictitious bar magnet at the center of the Earth (Figure 5.9). The south pole
of the magnet points roughly toward geographic north (Artic) and the north pole of the magnet points
roughly toward geographic south (Antarctic). The magnetic field lines emerge from the Earth’s
surface in the southern hemisphere and reenter in the northern hemisphere.

55
 Artic

Figure 5.9
N

Antarctic

Magnetic Flux Density, B

Magnetic flux density or magnetic field strength or in short magnetic field is a measure of the
strength and direction of a magnetic field. It’s a vector quantity and is represented by B . The magnetic
flux density at a given point is tangent to the magnetic field lines at that point (Figure 5.3). The SI unit
of magnetic flux density is tesla (T) or weber per square meter (Wb/m2).

Magnetic Flux, Φ

Magnetic flux is defined as a measure of the number of magnetic field lines that crosses a given area.
Consider a surface (Figure 5.8), which may or may not be a plane bounded by a closed conducting
loop. Let Φ represents the number of magnetic lines that pass through that surface. In terms of
equation, Φ is written as
∫
Φ= B•dA

where d A is a differential element of surface area, B is the magnetic fields that pass through the
area, and the integration is to be carried out over the entire surface. In general, the expression of
magnetic flux is given by

Φ = BAcos θ

where B = magnitude of the magnetic fields that pass through the area, A
θ = the angle between the magnetic field, B and the normal to the area, A

Magnetic flux is a scalar quantity. The SI unit of magnetic flux is weber (Wb) or tesla.meter2 (T.m2).

B
θ

α
A

Figure 5.10 56
Example 5.1

A rectangular coil is placed in a constant magnetic field of 0.50 T. The dimension of the coil is 100
cm × 200 cm. Find the magnetic flux passes through the coil if the angle between the plane of the coil
and the direction of the magnetic field is
(a) 0o
(b) 30o
(c) 90o

Solution

(a) B = 0.50 T
A = (1.0)(2.0) = 2.0 m2
θ = 90o – 0o = 90o (angle between the magnetic field and the normal to the plane)
Φ = BA cos θ
= (0.50)(2.0) cos 90 o
= 0 Wb
(b) θ = 90o – 30o = 60o
Φ = BA cos θ
= (0.50)(2.0) cos 60 o
= 0.5 Wb
(c) θ = 90o – 90o = 0o
Φ = BA cos θ
= (0.50)(2.0) cos 0 o
= 1.0 Wb

Example 5.2

A circular coil of radius 50 cm is situated in a constant magnetic field of 300 mT. Find the magnetic
flux passes through the coil if the angle between the normal to the plane of the coil and the direction
of the magnetic field 30o.

Solution

(a) B = 300 mT = 0.3 T

A = π(0.5)2 = 0.79 m2
θ = 30o (angle between the magnetic field and the normal to the plane)
Φ = BA cos θ
= (0.3)(0.79) cos 30 o
= 0.21 Wb

57
5.1 MAGNETIC FORCE

1) Magnetic Force on a moving charge

If the point charge is at rest, there is no magnetic force. The magnitude and direction of the magnetic
force depend on the direction and speed of the charge’s motion.

The direction of the magnetic force on a charged particle is perpendicular to the velocity of the
particle. The magnitude of the magnetic force on a moving charge is given by

F = qvB sin θ

where q = the magnitude of the charge

v = velocity of the charge
B = the magnetic field
θ = the angle between the velocity of the moving charge, v and magnetic field, B

The SI unit of magnetic force is N. The direction of the magnetic force can be determined by using
Right-hand Rule for positive charge and Left-hand Rule for negative charge (Figure 5.11).
Direction of magnetic
force, F

Direction of
velocity, v

Direction of magnetic
field, B

Figure 5.11 Left-hand Rule for negative charge

Example 5.3
An electron is projected from left to right into a magnetic field directed vertically downward. The
velocity of the electron is 2 x 106 ms-1, and the magnetic flux density of the field is 0.3 T. Find the
magnitude and direction of the magnetic force on the electron.

Solution

q = 1.6 x 10-19 C , v = 2 x 106 ms-1, θ = 90o

F = qvB sin θ
= 1.6 x10−19 (2 x106 )(0.3) sin 90o
= 9.6 x10−14 N

58
We use Left-hand Rule, since the charge on an electron is negative. It shows that the direction of the
force will be out of the page.
2) Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Wire

The moving charges produce an electric current. Since moving charges experience a magnetic force in
a magnetic field, a current-carrying wire also experiences a magnetic force in a magnetic field. The
magnitude of the magnetic force is given by

F = ILB sin θ

where I = the current in the wire

L = the length of the wire
B = the magnetic field
θ = the angle between the wire and magnetic field, B

The SI unit of magnetic force is N. The direction of the magnetic force can be determined by using
the Fleming’s Left-hand Rule (Figure 5.12).
Direction of magnetic
force, F

Direction of magnetic
Figure 5.12 field, B

Direction of current, I

Example 5.4
A 25 cm long wire carrying a current of 4 A is placed in a constant magnetic field of 3 mT as shown
in Figure 5.13. Determine the magnitude of the magnetic force experienced by this wire if the wire is
oriented at an angle of 60o with respect to the magnetic field.

60o B = 3 mT
Figure 5.13
I=4A

Solution

F = ILB sin θ
= ( 4)(0.25)(0.003) sin 60o
= 2.60 ×10- 3 N

59
3) Force Between Two Parallel Wires (refer lecture note)

A long straight wire carrying a current produces a magnetic field, B. A current-carrying wire feels a
force when placed in a magnetic field. Two current-carrying wires will exert a force on each other.

Currents in same direction

Consider two infinitely long, straight, thin conductors in free space which are parallel to each other.
Current flows in each conductor and the direction of current flow in one conductor is the same as that
in the other conductor, as shown in Figure 5.14. Then the conductors will attract each other by
magnetic force.

Each current produces a magnetic field that is ‘felt’ by the other. The two fields will interact with each
other and produce a resultant magnetic field.

Figure 5.14 Attractive force

Currents in opposite direction

Suppose the direction of current in one conductor is opposite to the direction of current in the other
conductor, as shown in Figure 5.16. Then the conductors will repel each other by magnetic force.

Figure 5.15 Repulsive force

60
Magnitude of attractive or repulsive magnetic force

Consider two long thin straight parallel conductors, AB and CD which are separated by distance, r as
shown in Figure 5.16.

I1 I2
A C

r
B D
Figure 5.16

AB carries current I1 which flow upwards, and CD carries current I2 which also flows upwards. The
magnetic field strength, B produced by current I 1 at the position of the conductor CD is given by

µo I1
B1 =
2π r

The current I2 in CD is found inside this magnetic field. Hence, a magnetic force acts on any length, L
of this conductor CD. The magnitude of this force is given by

FCD = B1 I 2 LCD sin 90°

Example 5.5

Two long, straight and fixed wires, X and Y, are 14 cm apart and carrying currents of 30 A and 20 A,
respectively as shown in Figure 5.17 below. Determine the resultant magnetic flux density at

(a) point P

(b) point Q

61
(c) point R

X Y

IX = 30 A IY = 20 A

9 cm 7 cm 11 cm
P Q R
14 cm

Figure 5.17

Solution

(a) Magnetic flux density at point P:

B P = B XP + B YP
µo I X µo I Y
= out of the page + int o the page
2πrXP 2πrYP
(4π × 10 -7 )(30) (4π × 10 -7 )(20)
= out of the page + int o the page
2π (0.09) 2π (0.23)
= 6.67 × 10 -5 T out of the page + 1.74 × 10 -5 T int o the page
= 6.67 × 10 -5 T out of the page - 1.74 × 10 -5 T out of the page
= 4.93 × 10 -5 T out of the page

(b) Magnetic flux density at point Q:

B Q = B XQ + BYQ
µo I X µ I
= int o the page + o Y int o the page
2πrXQ 2πrYQ
(4π ×10- 7 )(30) (4π ×10- 7 )(20)
= int o the page + int o the page
2π (0.07) 2π (0.07)
= 8.57 ×10-5 T int o the page + 5.71×10-5 T int o the page
= 1.43 ×10- 4 T int o the page

62
(c) Magnetic flux density at point R:

B R = B XR + B YR
µo I X µo I Y
= int o the page + out of the page
2πrXR 2πrYR
(4π × 10 -7 )(30) ( 4π × 10 -7 )(20)
= int o the page + out of the page
2π (0.25) 2π (0.11)
= 2.40 × 10 -5 T int o the page + 3.64 × 10 -5 Tout of the page
= -2.40 × 10 -5 T out of the page + 3.64 × 10 -5 Tout of the page
= 1.24 × 10 -5 T out of the page

5.2 MAGNETIC EFFECT OF CURRENT

Ampere’s Theorem
Ampere’s theorem provides a way to calculate magnetic fields due to currents. According this
theorem:
ΣB||∆L = µoIenclosed
where B|| = the component of the magnetic field parallel to a segment of a closed path of length ∆L
µo = permeability of free space = 4π×10-7 T•m/A
Ienclosed = net current enclosed by the path
Applying Ampere’s theorem for the magnetic field due to a long, straight current-carrying conductor
(Figure 5.19), we get
ΣB||∆L = µoIenclosed Net current, I
B(2πr) = µoI
Magnetic field, B, parallel to the closed path
µo I
∴B =
2π r

Closed path, ∆L = 2πr

Figure 5.19

63
1) A Long, Straight Wire
When a current flowing through a very long, straight wire, the magnetic field lines produced by the
current are circles centered on the wire. The direction of the field can be determined using Right-Hand
Rule as shown in Figure 5.20.
Direction of
Current, I current, I
Magnetic
Direction of
field, B
magnetic
field, B

Figure 5.20

The magnitude of the magnetic field at a distance r from a long, straight wire is given by

µo I
B=
2π r

where I = the current in the wire

µ o = the permeability of free space = 4π ×10-7 T.m.A-1
r = the distance from the wire
Example 5.7

Determine the magnitude of the magnetic field at a point 8 cm from a long, straight wire carrying a
current of 3 A.

Solution:

µ o = 4π ×10-7 T.m.A-1
I=3A
r = 8 cm = 0.08 m
µo I
B=
2πr
(4π × 10 -7 )(3)
=
2π (0.08)
= 7.50 × 10 -6 T

2) A Loop of Wire or Circular Coil

The magnetic field lines produced by a current in a circular loop of wire have the pattern shown in
Figure 5.21 below.

64
 N

.13
At the center of a circular loop of radius R, the magnetic field is perpendicular to the plane of the
loop. The magnitude of the magnetic field at the center of the loop is given by

µo I
B=
2R

where I = the current in the wire

R = the radius of the loop

If the loop consists of N turns of wire that are wound sufficiently close together so that they form a
flat coil with a single radius, the magnitude of the magnetic field at the center of the loop is given by

µo I
B=N
2R

The direction of the magnetic field at the center of the loop can be determined with the help of the
Right-Hand Rule.

Example 5.8

A circular coil of radius 6 cm consists of 200 turns of wire. Find the magnitude of the magnetic field
produced at the center of the coil when a current of 0.5 A flows through the coil.

Solution

N = 200 turns
µ o = 4π ×10-7 T.m.A-1
I = 0.5 A
R = 6 cm = 0.06 m
µ I
B=N o
2R
(4π ×10- 7 )(0.5)
= (200)
2(0.06)
= 1.05 ×10-3 T

65
3) Solenoid

A solenoid is a long coil of wire in the shape of a helix. If the wire is wound so that the turns are
packed close to each other and the solenoid is long compared to its diameter, the magnetic field lines
have the pattern shown in Figure 5.22.

Figure 5.22

The magnetic field inside a solenoid is nearly uniform and directed along the axis of the solenoid. The
magnetic field outside the solenoid is non-uniform and is much weaker than the interior field.

The magnitude of the magnetic field inside a long solenoid is given by

B = µ o nI

where I = the current in the wire

N
n = the number of turns per unit length of the solenoid =
L

The direction of the magnetic field inside the solenoid can be obtained by using the Right-Hand Rule.

Example 5.9

A solenoid consists of 1200 turns of wire and has a length of 65 cm. Find the magnitude of the
magnetic field produced at the center of the solenoid when a current of 3.5 A flows through the
solenoid.

Solution:

µ o = 4π ×10-7 T.m.A-1
B = µo nI
N 1200 1200
n= = turns per meter = (4π ×10- 7 ) (3.5)
L 0.65 0.65
= 8.1×10- 3 T
I = 3.5 A

66
5.4 TORQUE ON A CURRENT-CARRYING COIL IN A MAGNETIC FIELD

A current-carrying coil when placed in a magnetic field experiences a torque. The amount of torque
on the coil depends on the orientation of the coil and the magnetic field. The torque exerted on a coil
of any shape is given by

τ = NIAB sin θ

where N = the number of turns of the coil

I = the current in the coil
A = the area of the coil
B = the magnetic field
θ = the angle between the magnetic field, B and the normal to the coil

The product NIA is called the magnetic moment of the coil. Its unit is A.m2. Torque is maximum
when θ = 90o and is zero when θ = 0o or θ = 180o. The SI unit of torque is N.m.

Example 5.10

A rectangular coil consists of 150 turns of wire and carries a current of 10 A is placed in a uniform
magnetic field of 300 mT. If the dimension of the coil is 20 cm × 40 cm, determine
(a) the magnetic moment of the coil
(b) the maximum torque exerted on the coil

Solution:

(a) The magnetic moment of the coil (b) The maximum torque on the coil
τ = NIAB sin θ
µ = NIA
= ( NIA)( B ) sin 90 o
= (150)(10)(0.20 × 0.40)
= (120)(0.300)(1)
= 120 Am 2 = 36 Nm

67
TUTORIAL 5.1

1. What is the magnetic field at point 50 mm from a wire carrying a current of 3 A?

(Answer : 1.2 x 10-5T)

2. A circular coil of radius 40 mm consists of 250 turns of wire in which the current is 20 mA.
What is the magnetic field in the center of the coil?
(Answer : 0.785 x 10-4T)

3. A solenoid 0.5m long has 2000 turns. The magnetic flux density at the center of the solenoid
is 0.08T. What is the current in the solenoid?
(Answer: 16A)

4. A long straight wire carries a current as shown. Sketch and identify the direction of magnetic
field at point K and T, for each case.
(hint: +k = outside of paper, -k = inside of paper)

T
K K T

T K

(Answer : K (+ k ) , T (- k ) , (Answer : K (+j) , T (-j) ) , (Answer : K(+i),T (-i) )

5. Two long and fixed parallel wires, A and B , are 10cm apart in air and carry currents of 40
and 20 A, respectively, in opposite directions as shown in figure below. Determine the
resultant magnetic field:
(a) At point P
(b) At point R

R P

8 cm 5 cm 5 cm

A B
–4 -5
(Answer: 2.4 x 10 T , inside of paper , 7.8 x 10 T , outside of paper)

6. Figure below shows the cross section of two long straight wires carrying currents of i1 and i2
respectively. If the resultant magnetic field at point P is zero, find the value of i2.
(Answer: 6 A)

10 cm 20 cm

P i2 68
i1 = 2A
7. Two long straight parallel wires, separated by 0.8cm, are perpendicular to the plane of page as
shown in figure below. Wire 1 carries a current of 6.5A into the page. What must be the
current (magnitude and direction) in wire 2 if the resultant of magnetic field at point P is zero.
(Answer: 4.33A, inside of paper)

Wire 1

0.8 cm

Wire 2

1.6 cm

8. Two parallel horizontal wires carrying current of 10A and 6A respectively are 13 cm apart as
shown in Figure below.
(a) Write the vector component for resultant magnetic field at point R
(b) Calculate the resultant magnetic field at point R.
(c) Write the vector component for resultant magnetic field at point P
(d) Calculate the resultant magnetic field at point P.

(Answer :-2.34x 10-6 i – 8.3 x 10-6 j, 8.62 x 10-6 T, θ = 74.26 (3rd quarter);
BP= -4.9x10-5j, 4.9x10-5 T )
R

12 cm

8 cm 5 cm

P
TUTORIAL 5.2
(Magnetic Force)

1. Find the vector component for the force experience on each segment of the wire shown in
Figure below if the current flow through the wire is 5 A.
C

B=0.15T 16cm 350 20cm

A B D E

(Answer : BC = - 0.12 k N ; CD = + 0.12 k N , AB and DE = 0)

69
2. As a diagram in Figure 1, two long straight parallel wires, X and Y carry a current of 20A and
10A respectively are 40cm apart.
(i) Identify the direction of force on conductor X due to conductor Y.
(ii) Find the magnitude of force per unit length on conductor X due to conductor Y

(Answer : Fx = East , 1x 10-4 N/m)

X Y
West East

Conductor carrying current

into paper

Figure 1

3. As in a diagram in Figure 2, two long straight parallel wires, P and Q carry a current of 30 A
and 15 A respectively are 40 cm apart.
(i) Identify the force direction on conductor P due to conductor Q.
(ii) Find the force per unit length on conductor P due to conductor Q
(Answer : Fp = West , 2.25 x 10-4 N/m)
P Q

West East

Figure 2

4. A long straight wires carries a current of 30A are located beside a rectangular loop carries a
current of 20A as shown in Figure 3. Calculate the resultant force acting on the loop. Given
that a = 1 cm , b = 8 cm and L = 30 cm.
(Answer : 3.2 mN, toward the wire)

30A

a 20A

b Figure 3

70
5. A rectangular coil 4.3 cm wide by 5.0 cm long is made from 6 turns wire. The coil carries a
current of 200 mA in a magnetic field B = 0.055T. Find torque is required to hold the coil so
that it makes an angle of 500 with the magnetic field?
(Answer : 9.12x 10-5 Nm)

6. The plane of a single square loop of wire with side 22 cm is placed at an angle of 300 to a
magnetic field. When a current of 6.3 A flows in the coil , the torque on it is 0.325 Nm. What
is the magnetic field strength?
(Answer : 1.23 T)

7. A rectangular coil with 25 loops is suspended in a field of 0.2 Wb/m2. The plane of the coil is
parallel to the direction of the field. The dimension of the coil is 15 cm perpendicular to the
field lines and 12 cm parallel to them. What is the current in a coil if there is a torque of
5.4 Nm acting on it?
(Answer : 60 A)

9. The magnetic field of the earth at a certain location is directed vertically downward and has a
magnetic of 50µT. A proton is moving horizontally toward the west in this field with a speed
of 6.6 x 106 m/s. Determine
a) the direction and magnitude of the magnetic force the field exerts on this charge.
(Answer: 5.28 x 10-17 N, southward)

10. A right triangular coil RST with RS = 5.0 cm, ST = 4.0 cm and TR = 3.0 cm has 80 turns of
wire. It carries a current of 0.36 A in the direction of RSTR. The coil is placed in a uniform
magnetic field of 2.5 mT pointing to the left, as shown in Figure 4

Figure 4

(a) Find the magnitude and direction of the forces on each of the arms RS, ST and TR.
(b) Find the torque on the coil at this position
(Answer : 2.16x10-3 N, 0 N, 2.16x10-3 N, 43.2x10-6 Nm)

71