fundamentals of Magnetism

Introduction
• Magnetism is a connecting link between electricity and
mechanical energy.
• Through the use of magnetism in an automobile
alternator, some of the power developed by the engine
is changed into an electron flow.
• This electron flow (current) keeps the battery charged,
illuminates the headlamps and operates the ignition.
 Introduction
• Electrons flowing from the battery are also changed
by magnetism into mechanical power.
• This can be seen in the operation of the starter
motor.
• Electrical energy sets up a magnetic field in the
starter, which is then converted to mechanical power
to crank the engine.
• Magnetism produces current and current produces
magnetism.
 Magnetism - The Beginning
• Magnetism was first discovered when pieces of
iron ore called lodestone were seen to attract other
pieces of iron.
• Latter it was learned that a bar of this iron ore, if
suspended in air, would rotate itself so that one end
always pointed to the north pole of the earth.
• This end of the bar became known as north (N),
the other end south (S).
• From this piece of iron ore the compass was
developed.
 Magnetism - The Beginning
• The earth, a huge magnet with north
and south poles, causes the compass
needle to swing into the north-south
position.
• Continued research into the bar
magnet disclosed that an attractive
force existed around the magnet.
• This area of attraction became know
as the “field of force” or “magnetic
field”.
 Magnetic Field and Flux
• A magnetic field may be thought of as lines of
force which we arbitrarily assume come out of the
north pole and enter the south pole.
• The theory of magnetic lines of force can be
illustrated by iron filings on a piece of glass resting
on top of a bar magnet.
• When the glass is lightly tapped by hand, the iron
filings align themselves to form a clear, distinctive
line pattern around the bar magnet.
Magnetic Field and Flux
• The lines of force are
heavily concentrated
at the north and south
poles of the magnet,
and then spread out
into surrounding air
between the poles.
Magnetic Field and Flux
• There are relatively
few lines of force
when a magnet is
weak, and many lines
of force when a
magnet is strong.
Magnetic Field and Flux
• When a magnet is
strong, the field is said
to have a high flux
density.
• When the magnet is
weak, the flux density
is low.
Magnetic Attraction
• A force of attraction
exists between any two
magnets lying end to end
with a north and south
pole facing each other.
• When unlike poles are
brought close to each
other, the magnetic lines
of force pass from the
north to the south pole.
Magnetic Attraction
• As long as the two bar
magnets are lying end to
end with a north and south
pole facing each other, an
attractive force will exist.
• If one of the magnetic poles
were reversed, so that
either both north poles or
both south poles were
facing each other, the result
would be a repelling force.
Magnetic Attraction
• The repelling force
would increase as the
two like poles were
moved closer to each
other and the lines of
force going in the
same direction would
be drawn closer to
each other.
 Magnetic Attraction
• Unlike poles attract each other each other,
and like poles repel each other.