Magnetic Forces, Fields, and

Faradays Law

ISAT 241
Fall 2003
David J. Lawrence

Magnetic Fields
Every

magnet, regardless of its shape, has

two poles, called north and south.
These poles exert forces on each other in a
manner analogous to electric charges.
The poles received their names from the
behavior of a magnet in the earths
magnetic field.
Difference: Electric charges can be
isolated while magnetic poles are always
found in pairs.

Serway & Jewett, Principles of Physics, 3 rd ed.

Figure 22.1

Magnetic Fields
Recall:

the gravitational field g at some

point in space is the gravitational force
acting on a test mass divided by the test
mass, i.e.,
g = Fg/mo

The

electric field E at some point in space is

the electric force acting on a test charge
divided by the test charge, i.e.,
E = FE/qo

Magnetic Fields
The

magnetic field vector B (or magnetic

induction or magnetic flux density) is
now defined at some point in space in terms
of the magnetic force acting on an
appropriate test object.

Test

Object = a charged particle moving

with velocity v.

Magnetic Fields

This is the test object in a magnetic field B.

q

The magnetic force on the test object, FB , depends

on q, v , and B according to the equation

FB q v B

does not denote normal multiplication.

More

Magnetic Fields
q

v
The magnitude of the magnetic force, FB , is
proportional to the charge q, the speed v = | v | of
the particle, and the magnetic field B.
| FB | also depends on

FB FB q vB sin

Example Problem
A proton

moves with a speed of 8.0 x 106 m/s

along the x axis. It enters a region where there
is a magnetic field of 2.5 T in the xy plane,
directed at an angle of 60o to the x axis.
Calculate the initial magnetic force on and
acceleration of the proton.
z
p+
v
x

60o

y
B

Redraw this diagram with

the x and y axes in their
normal directions.

Magnetic Fields
The

direction of the magnetic force FB

depends on the sign of the particles charge,
the direction of its velocity, and on the
direction of the magnetic field.

The

direction of the magnetic force FB is

given by the Right Hand Rule.

Serway & Jewett, Principles of Physics, 3 rd ed.

Figure 22.4

Serway & Jewett, Principles of Physics, 3rd ed.

Figure 22.3

Serway & Jewett, Principles of Physics, 3rd ed.

Figure 22.6

Magnetic Fields
When

the charged particle moves parallel to the

magnetic field B, then FB = 0.
the velocity vector v makes an angle
with the magnetic field B, the magnetic force
acts in a direction perpendicular to both v and
B.

When

The

magnetic force on a negative charge is in

the direction opposite to the force on a positive
charge moving in the same direction.

Magnetic Force on a Charge

the velocity vector makes an angle with the
magnetic field, the magnitude of the magnetic
force is proportional to sin .
All of these observations can be summarized by
using a special vector notation to write the
magnetic force:
If

FB q v B

The product denoted by is called the cross

product.

Vector Cross Product

The

vector cross product yields a vector

that is perpendicular to both of the vectors
in the cross product.

Quick Reference Table for Cross Products of Unit Vectors

ixj= k
i x k = -j

j x k =i

kxi= j

j x i = -k

k x j = -i

Magnetic Fields
B is perpendicular to both v and B. The
direction is given by the right hand rule.
The magnitude of the magnetic force is

FB = |FB| = |q| v B sin

v

When

v is parallel to B ( = 0 or 180o) then

FB = 0.
When

v is perpendicular to B ( = 90o) then FB

has its maximum value FB = |q|vB.
equation FB = q v B serves to define the
magnetic field B.

The

Example Problem
A proton

moving at 4.0 x106 m/s through a

magnetic field of 1.7 T experiences a
magnetic force of magnitude 8.2x10-13 N.
What is the angle between the protons
velocity and the magnetic field?

Magnetic Fields
Differences between electric and magnetic
forces on charged particles.
The electric force on a charged particle is independent
of the particles speed.
The magnetic force only acts on a charged particle
when the particle is in motion.
The electric force is always along or opposite to the
electric field.
The magnetic force is perpendicular to the magnetic
field.
(FE = q E vs. FB= q v B)

Magnetic Fields
Differences between electric and magnetic
forces on charged particles.
The

electric force does work in displacing a

charged particle. The magnetic force does no
work when a charged particle is displaced. A
magnetic field can change the direction but not
the speed of a moving charged particle.

Magnetic Fields

Units of B
The SI unit of B is
weber/sq. meter = Wb/m2 = tesla = T
= N/(Cm/s ) = 104 G (gauss)

Earths magnetic field

~ 0.5G = 0.5 x 10-4 T

Magnetic Force on a Wire

A force is exerted on a single charged particle

when it moves through a magnetic field:
FB = |q| v B sin

An electric current is a collection of many

charged particles in motion, e.g., electrons
moving through a metal wire.

a current-carrying wire also experiences a

force when it is placed in a magnetic field.

Recall that electric current is denoted I.

Magnetic Force on a Wire

L

The

by

magnetic force on the wire is given

FB I L B

where L is a vector in the direction of the

current and | L | = L= length of wire in the
magnetic field.

Magnetic Force on a Wire

L

FB FB I L B sin
The

magnetic force has its max magnitude

FB = I L B
when L is perpendicular to B ( = 90o).

Serway & Jewett, Principles of Physics, 3 rd ed.

Figure 22.15

Example Problem
A wire

having a mass per unit length of 0.50

g/cm carries a 2.0 A current horizontally to
the south. What are the direction and
magnitude of the minimum magnetic field
needed to lift this wire vertically upward?
2A
North

Total Force
If

we have a gravitational field g, an

electric field E, and a magnetic field B all
at the same point in space, then a particle
with mass m, charge q, and velocity v will
experience all three forces.

The

total force is given by:

Ftot = Fg + FE + FB
=mg+qE+qvB

Magnetic Fields
Hans

Oersted (and earlier, Gian Dominico

Romognosi) observed that an electric
current in a wire deflected a nearby
compass needle an electric current
produces a magnetic field.

I=0

Serway & Jewett, Principles of Physics, 3rd ed.

Figure 22.27

Faradays Law of Induction

(Henrys Law of Induction)

A loop of wire is connected to a galvanometer

(an instrument for measuring electric current).
Figure 31.1, page 981.
If a magnet is moved toward or away from the
loop, a current is measured.
If the magnet is stationary, no current exists.
If the magnet is stationary and the wire loop is
moved, a current is measured.
A current is set up in the loop as long as there
is relative motion between the magnet and the
loop.

Faradays Law of Induction

(Henrys Law of Induction)

The current is called an induced current.

If instead we measure the voltage, we call

the the measured voltage an induced
voltage or induced electromotive force
or induced emf.

We can produce a current or voltage

without a battery.

Faradays Law of Induction

An electric current and a

voltage (emf) are produced in a
wire loop or coil whenever the
magnetic flux through the
loop changes.

So what is this thing called

magnetic flux?

Faradays Law of Induction

Suppose that we have a uniform magnetic field B

directed into the page. We have a wire loop of
area A in the page.

area of loop = A

We define the magnetic flux threading through the

loop as B = |B|A = BA.

Since B has units of Wb/m2 or T, has units of

Wb (Webers) or T-m2.

Faradays Law of Induction

V

Faradays law of induction states that the

voltage (emf) induced in the loop is directly
proportional to the time rate of change of
magnetic flux through the loop, i.e.,

d B
V=E=
dt

Faradays Law of Induction

If instead of a single loop of wire, we have

a coil consisting of N loops or N turns
then

d B
V=E=N
dt

Example Problem

A coil is wrapped with 200 turns of wire on

the perimeter of a square frame (18 cm on a
side). A uniform magnetic field
perpendicular to the plane of the coil is
applied. If the field changes linearly from 0
to 0.5 Wb/m2 in 0.8 s, find the magnitude of
the induced emf in the coil while the field is
changing.

Faradays Law of Induction

To produce an emf (voltage), the magnetic
flux through the wire loop must change
with time.
How can this happen?
There are several ways:

The magnitude of B can vary with time.

The area of the loop can change with time.
The angle between B and the normal to the
loop can change with time.
Any combination of the above can occur.

Faradays Law of Induction

Another manifestation of Faradays law is

the so-called motional emf, which is the
voltage (emf) induced in a wire moving
through a magnetic field.
B

+
+

Faradays Law of Induction

B

+
+

When v, the velocity of the conductor (m/s)

is perpendicular to B, the magnetic field
(Wb/m2 or T), then the motional emf, V, is
given by

V=E=Bl v,
where l is the length of the wire.

Faradays Law of Induction

If we complete the circuit, the current

induced is equal to
I = V/R = (B l v)/R

The power produced by the force moving

the bar is equal to the power in the circuit:
P = Fapp v = (I l B) v
= (B2 l 2 v2)/R = V2/R
and it is dissipated as heat in the circuit.

Example Problem
A Boeing-747 jet with a wing span of 60 m
is flying horizontally with a speed of 300
m/s over Phoenix. Assume the magnetic
field is perpendicular to the velocity and has
a magnitude of 50.0 T.
What is the voltage generated between the
wing tips?