Magnetic Field

A magnetic field is a region in which a particle with magnetic properties experiences a force, and in
which a moving charge experiences a force.

There are two main classes of magnet:

1. Permanent magnets
2. Electromagnets

Field Shapes

Permanent Magnets:

Permanent magnets are common and are made of steel, cobalt or nickel alloys.

To represent the field around a magnet we use a diagram which needs to obey some rules (or
conventions) so that whoever uses it can interpret it correctly.

(diagram)

Lines are drawn to represent magnetic fields. These lines are called lines of flux.

The arrow shows the direction of the force that a free north pole, for instance a North pole with
no South pole (which doesn't exist!) would feel.

Field direction always goes from North to South. So pop a magnet at X in the field (see diagram)
and it would align itself with its North pole pointing along the arrow.

The spacing between the lines of flux tells you about the strength of field - as the lines get
closer together, the field becomes stronger - for example, near the poles.

(diagram)

The region in between the poles shows equally spaced, parallel lines. This is called a uniform
field. Field strength remains constant as you move around this area. Move out from the space
between the poles and the field strength reduces. The lines of flux become further apart.
Temporary Magnets:

Around any conductor that has a current flowing through it there is a magnetic field. Switch
off the current and the magnetic field disappears.

The shape of the field around a straight wire is shown below:

(diagram)

Note: The ⊗ means that conventional current is flowing through a wire into the page. (Think of
an arrow - going away you see the flights, coming towards you see the point!)

Remember: Conventional current is the flow of positive charges. So conventional current

goes in the opposite direction to the electron flow.

In a wire with conventional current flowing out of the page you get:

(diagram)

It's the same field shape as the one above, but the direction of the field is different.

Right Hand Grip Rule

A quick way to work out the direction of the magnetic field in a solenoid is the right hand grip
rule.

(diagram)

Make a fist and stick your thumb out (as if hitchhiking). Your fingers are wrapped in a circle,
same as the coils in the solenoid. If you make your fingers point in the same direction as the
conventional current around the coil - your thumb points towards the end of the solenoid that is
the North pole.

Neutral Points:

When two fields coincide they may cancel each other out and produce points where the magnetic
field strength is zero. These points are called neutral points.

For Example:

(diagram)
 ELECTROMAGNETISM

Magnetic field strength, B

Magnetic field strength is often called magnetic flux density and is given the symbol 'B'.

Magnetic field strength is defined as the force acting per unit current in a wire of unit
length, which is perpendicular to the field. Magnetic field strength is measured in tesla, T.

A magnetic field has a strength of 1T if a wire of length 1 metre experiences a force of 1N

when a current of 1A flows in the wire.

F=BIL

Where:

F = Force on the wire (N)

I = current (A)

B = magnetic field strength (T)

L = length of the wire (m)

Note:

1. The angle between the current and the magnetic field must be greater than zero for a
force to be produced. The greatest effect is when the angle is 90º. So if the wire and the
conductor are not perpendicular to each other we must use:

F = B I L sin θ

(diagram)

2. The angle is measured between the field direction and the conductor.
Fleming's Left Hand Rule

To work out the direction of force experienced we use Fleming's Left Hand Rule.

 Your first finger points in the direction of the magnetic field (North to South).
 Your second finger points in the direction of conventional current (positive to negative).
 Your thumb points in the direction of the thrust or force on the conductor.
Forces on Charged Particles
When a wire carrying a current through a field feels a force it is because the magnetic field
pushes the electrons inside the wire to one edge of the wire. These electrons actually then apply
force to the wire.

The same effect occurs if the electrons are not inside a piece of wire - for example, if they are in
a beam crossing a vacuum.

We can calculate the force on a charged particle in a magnetic field using the equation:

F = B q v sin θ

Where:

F = force (N)

B = magnetic field strength (T)

q = charge on the particle (C)

v = velocity of the particle (m/s)

Note: Angle θ is between the direction of the beam and the magnetic field direction.

Use Fleming's left hand rule to work out the direction of the force. Align your second finger with
the beam of particles remembering that it points the way positive particles flow, the opposite way
to electron flow.
Patterns due to:

1. Long straight wire

2. A flat circular coil

3. A soleniod
Effect of Ferrous Cores
Electromagnets all consists of a current carrying conductor, however the strength of the
magnetic field produced also depends on the surrounding substance. Air is not particularly good
at 'carrying' a magnetic field and so the field around a wire is quite weak. By placing a core
inside of a coil the strength of the magnetic field can be increased.

By putting a ferrous (iron) core inside a solenoid, the field lines are concentrated. This has the
effect of strengthening the field.

(diagram)

Inside the core, the field lines are much closer together → stronger field.

Iron is a particularly good core for solenoids as it is easily magnetised and demagnetised. This
means that when the current is switched off the iron does not stay magnetic. Iron is said to be
magnetically soft.

Steel increases the strength of the field, however, it is not as effective as iron and does not lose
its magnetism as quickly when the current is switched off. Steel is said to be magnetically hard.
Force on Parallel Wires
When two magnetic fields are near to each other they interact and produce a force. As currents
all have magnetic fields around them, forces are produced when two currents flow near to one
another. The effect of two long wires each carrying current is shown in the following diagrams.

Current flowing in opposite directions:

(diagram)

This shows two wires carrying current in opposite directions (unlike currents). The strong field in
between the two wires (shown by the close field lines) produces forces that push the wires apart.

Currents flowing in the same direction:

(diagram)

This shows two wires carrying current in the same direction (like currents). The relatively weak field in
the space between the wires here means that forces are produced which push the wires together.

Note

1. The greater the currents in the wires the greater the force produced.
2. Like currents attract, unlike currents repel
 Electromagnetic Induction

Magnetic Flux