MAGNETIC FIELD OFA CURRENT

CARRYING CONDUCTOR
A wire carrying current has a magnetic field
around it i.e. it behaves like magnet and a
compass needle is deflected when placed near
the wire. The current is reversed when the
sense of deflection in the compass is reversed.
The direction of the magnetic field is given by
right hand grip rule or Maxwell screw rule.
RIGHT HAND GRIP RULE
It states that when a straight wire carrying
current is gripped by the right hand so that the
thumb points in the direction, the curled fingers
indicates the direction of the magnetic field.
NOTE: If the current is flowing upwards the
direction of the magnetic field is anti-clock wise.
If the current is flowing downwards the direction
of the magnetic field is clockwise.
MAGNETIC FIELD IN TWO STRAIGHT PARALLEL WIRE CARRYING
CURRENT
1. Current in the Same Direction.
[Link] in Opposite Direction
MAGNETIC FIELD DUE TO CURRENT
IN A COIL
a. Ordinary coil:
For a circular coil carrying current,
the face of the coil at which current
is seen to flow clockwise is the
south-pole while the other face is
the north-pole.
b. Solenoid:
This is a cylindrical coil of wire. It
is different from ordinary coil due to
its longer length. It acts like a
magnet. When current flows through
it, there is a field around the
solenoid. The direction of which is
determined by right-hand grip rule.
THE RIGHT HAND GRIP RULE
It states that if you imagine the solenoid being
gripped with the right hand, the thumb points along
the axis of the solenoid gives the direction of the field
while the curled fingers show the direction of the
current. The face where current is flowing clockwise
is the south-pole while the face where current is
flowing anti-clockwise is the north-pole.
The Strength of The Field can be increased by:
1. Using large current
2. Having more coil on the solenoid
3. Having soft iron core through the solenoid.
ELECTRO-MAGNETS
This is a soft-iron core on which a
coil of wire is wound so that the
iron core becomes effective as
magnet when electric current is
flowing through the wire. It consists
of a winding wire in opposite
direction round two arms of a U-
shaped soft iron.
When current flows through the wire the ends
of the iron core become poles of a magnet. i.e.
north and south pole. The magnetism lasts as
long as the current flows i.e. it is a temporary
magnet. The strength of the electromagnet is
increased:
1. If the current in the coil is increased.
2. The number of turns of the coil is increased
3. When the poles are made closer
USES OF ELECTROMAGNETS
1. Electric bell
2. Magnetic relay
3. Telephone
4. Electromagnetic relay.
ELECTRIC BELL
Electric bell works through a make and break device.
It consists of two coils (solenoid) wound on two soft
iron cores joined by soft iron yoke. One end of the
coil is connected to the battery and the other end is
connected to a spring mounted on a soft iron
armature separates the contact and breaks the
circuit. The soft iron becomes demagnetized and the
armature returns to its original position by the spring.
Contact is made again and the action is repeated. As
a result, the armature vibrates and the hammer
attached to it strikes the gong repeatedly.
TELEPHONE
Telephone consists of microphone
for changing sound vibration into
identical current and a receiver
or ear piece for changing this
current back to audible sound.
CARBON MICROPHONE (MOUTH PIECE)
When a telephone is lift up by a caller, the battery is
automatically connected to the carbon block and steady
current flows in the circuit. The electrical resistance of
the carbon particles depends on the pressure of the
particles i.e. the more the particles are pressed together,
the less the resistance and the more the current. The
sound vibration from the speaker causes the diaphragm
to vibrate. This vibration produces variation in pressure
on the particles which varies the resistance in order to
vary the current in sympathy with the frequency of the
sound wave. The variation in the current is changed to
sound waves in the telephone receiver.
TELEPHONE RECEIVER (EAR-PIECE)
The ear piece converts the varying sound current into
varying sound energy. The varying sound current from
the microphone flows through the coil of the
earpiece. This causes the magnetic strength of the
soft iron pole piece to rise and fall at the same
frequency as the sound current. The varying
magnetism of the magnet causes the soft iron
diaphragm to vibrate. The vibration creates sound
waves of the same frequency as that of the sound
current. Thus, the speakers of the microphone are
held by the listener at the distance earpiece.
FORCE ON A CURRENT CARRYING CONDUCTOR IN A MAGNETIC FIELD
This is the force experienced by a conductor and can be investigated
using kicking wire experiment
The magnet produces magnetic field and the
conductor produces electric field. When the
key is closed as in fig. 1, the wire jumps up
as in fig. 2. If the current is reversed and
the key is closed, the wire jumps down as in
fig. 3. If both current and magnet are
reversed, the wire jumps up again. The
force “F” on the wire is directly
proportional to:
1. The strength of magnetic field “B”
2. The current in the conductor “I”
3. The length of the conductor “L”
4. The angle “θ” between the magnetic
field and the current/conductor.
They are all related by
F =BILsinθ where:
F = force in newton ‘N’,
B = magnetic field strength in
Tesla ‘T’,
I = current in ampere,
L = length in meters,
θ = angle in degrees field
i.e. θ = 0.
The force is largest when the
direction of the current in the
conductor in the perpendicular to
the magnetic field i.e. θ = 0.
It is zero when current flows in the
direction of the magnetic field i.e.
Ө=0
The direction of the force can be determined
using left-hand motor rule called Fleming left-
hand rule.
FLEMING LEFT-HAND RULE
It states that if the first finger, second finger and
the thumb of the left-hand are held at right
angle to one another, the first finger points in the
direction of the field, the second finger points to
the direction of the current while the thumb
points in the direction of the motion of the force.
FORCE BETWEEN TWO PARALLEL
CURRENT-CARRYING CONDUCTOR
[Link] in Opposite Direction
A magnetic field is set up around
each of the parallel conductor
which carries current “I”. The
direction of the field results in a
mutual force of attraction if the
current is in the same direction or
repulsion if they are in the
opposite direction.
The magnitude of force per unit length between two
parallel conductors is directly proportional to the
product of their current and is inversely proportional to
the the distance between them.
F ∞ I 1I ;
2 F = μ I1I ; μ = Permeability of vacuum = 4π x 10 Am-1
0 2 0
-7

L 2π r L 2π r
where: F = force,
I = current in ampere,
L = length of wire/conductor,
r = distance between the two conductors
CHARGED PARTICLES MOVING IN A CIRCULAR PATH IN A
MAGNETRIC FIELD
The force “F” on a charge Q moving with a velocity “V”
in a magnetic field of strength “B”
F = qVBsinθ ………………………………… (1)
where: q = charge in coulombs,
V = velocity in m/s
B = magnetic field density/strength of the magnetic
field/flux density measured in Tesla
θ = angle between B and V in degree.
The current flowing is the sum of
individual charge. This force “f”
causes the charged particles
initially moving in a perpendicular
direction in the field to go round in
a circular path. Therefore it
experiences centripetal force which
is given as:
F = ma
But a = w2r,
F = mw2r
a = v2
r
F = mv2
r ……………………………….. (2)
Equating equations (1) and (2)
MV2/r = qVBsinθ
If θ = 900, sin 900 = 1, then
mv2 = qVBr
mv = qBr
where: r = radius of the circle,
m = mass of charge,
V = velocity of charge ,
q = charge
B = Magnetic field
APPLICATION OF FORCE ON A CURRENT CARRYING
CONDUCTOR
1. DC ELECTRIC MOTOR:
In the diagram above, a rectangular coil is placed in uniform
magnetic field which can be rotated freely about vertical axis
EF. When the switch is closed, current flows from A to D
through the coil. By applying Flemings left hand rule on the
coil AD, it is found that there is an upward force on AD and a
downward force on BC.
This turning effect of a current carrying conductor can be
improved by:
1. Increasing the magnetic field
2. Increasing the number of turns on the coil
3. Inserting a soft iron core within the coil which will
concentrate the magnetic field.
PRINCIPLE OF AC MOTOR
A simple DC motor consists of:
1. Two permanent magnet with circular
poles north and south
2. A coil ABCD connected to split ring
(commutator x and y) not in contact.
3. Two carbon brushes P and Q pressed
lightly to the split rings and connected to
the external batteries.
Explanation:
The commutator X and Y will rotate when the
coil rotates. The two carbon brushes P and Q are
made to press lightly against the commutator so
that current can pass through. When current
flows from C to B, and A to D, the arm CB
experiences downward force while AD
experiences an upward force these two forces
produce a turning effect to cause the coil to
rotate in a clockwise direction.
When the coil turns to the vertical position,
the split rings or commutator are now in an
alignment with carbon brushes. However,
because of the inertia, the coil will keep on
rotating so arm CD and AD cross over to the
other half of the magnetic field without
experiencing any turning effect generated
by the current until the commutator is in
contacts with the carbon brushes again
NOTE:
If the current is off temporarily, BC or CD in the other
half will still have downward force and AD will have
upward force. Once the commutator and the brushes
are in contact again, the current is able to flow in the
same direction. Now from D to A and from B to C
whereby AD experiences a downward force and CB
experiences upward force. Hence, the coil begins to
rotate in a clockwise direction. The purpose of using
split ring is to allow the coil to rotate in the same
direction by reversing the current in the coil every half
turn.
 MOVING COIL GALVANOMETER
2
It is used to convert electrical energy to mechanical
energy, also to detect and measure small current. It
consists of a rectangular coil wound on a shaft of soft iron
core which rotates swiftly along the poles of a permanent
magnet as current is passed through T1 and T . Two springs
2

are connected to each ends of the shaft to produce turning

effects (torque) to rotate the coil. The coil comes to rest
at a position in which the rotation caused by the current
exactly balances the resisting torque. A pointer is attached
to the shaft to measure the angle of rotation of the shaft
which is directly proportional to the current which is read
using a uniform scale.
SENSITIVITY OF A GALVANOMETER
A galvanometer is sensitive when it can detect
a small current and it is accurate if its reading
is close to the value of the current flowing
through the instrument.
HOW TO MAKE GALVANOMETER SENSITIVE
[Link] coil must be suspended so that it turns
easily
[Link] control spring should have low stiffness
contact
TO MAKE THE GALVANOMETER MORE ACCURATE
[Link] must be checked against a standard
galvanometer.
ADVANTAGES OF GALVANOMETER
[Link] magnetic field around it has no effect
around it because it has a very strong magnetic
field.
[Link] has a linear scale because of its uniform radial
field.
[Link] can measure current, resistance or potential
difference.
 MOVING IRON GALVANOMETER

3
It measures currents or p.d. it consists of a
solenoid inside which is a moving piece of soft
iron attached to a pointer and a fixed piece of
iron as shown above. A moving piece of iron is
attached to a pivoted spindle to which it is
attached to the pointer. A control spring (alloy of
phosphorus and bronze) is attached also. When
current is passed into the solenoid, both the
fixed and the moving iron become magnetized
with like poles facing each other.
Hence they repel each other. The repulsion of the
moving iron causes it to move and the pointer
attached to it moves across the scale. The pointer
will come to rest when the force of repulsion
balances the opposing force due to the control
spring and the scale indicates the value of the
current flowing. The scale is not uniform because
the repulsion produced is not directly proportional
to the current flowing. Also, it is less accurate
than the moving coil galvanometer.
ADVANTAGES
[Link] is simple and cheap to make.
[Link] measures both A.C and D.C since
whatever the direction of the current both
irons must be magnetized with like poles
facing each other with repulsion
ELECTRO-MAGNETIC INDUCTION
It is defined as a process whereby E.M.F is
induced in a circuit. When there is a changing or
varying magnetic field which links the circuit. It
is used to convert kinetic energy to electrical
energy. It is opposite to force on a conductor-
carrying current.
In order to investigate electro-magnetic
induction, a coil of solenoid is connected to zero
centered galvanometer.
In fig (a), the coil is stationary and the magnet is
moved into the coil. The galvanometer deflects to the
right.
In fig (b), when the magnet is moved away from the
coil, the galvanometer deflects to the left.
In fig (c), when both of them are stationary, no
current flows in the circuit, therefore, no deflection
(null deflection).
In fig (d), when the magnet is stationary and the coil moves
towards the magnet, the galvanometer moves to the right.
In fig (e), when the coil is moved away from the magnet, the
galvanometer deflects to the left.
It is noticed that the deflection is greater when:
[Link] relative motion between the magnet and the coil is
faster
[Link] strength of the magnet is increased.
[Link] coil has more turns.
If the south pole of a magnet is used instead of the north-
pole, there will be deflection but in the opposite direction.
NOTE:
[Link] there is a relative motion between a closed circuit
and a magnet, induced E.M.F is generated in the circuit.
[Link] direction of the induced current or E.M.F depends on
the polarity and the movement of the magnet or the coil.
3. The faster the relative motion, the greater
the size of the induced current or E.M.F.
4. Increase in the strength of the magnet and
increase in the number of turns all together
will increase the E.M.F or current, the result
of this gives rise to Faraday’s law of
electromagnetic induction.
FARADAY’S LAW OF ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION
It states that the strength of the induced E.M.F is
proportional to the rate of change of electromagnetic
lines of force linking the circuit. The direction of
induced current can be determined using Lenz’s law.
Lenz’s Law: It states that an induced current flows in
the direction so as to oppose the change or motion
producing it.
If it is the north pole that is first put into
the solenoid or coil to oppose this
motion, the induced current must
produce a north pole at “x” and south
pole at end “y”. If the magnet is moved
out from end “y”, end “y” becomes
north-pole and vice versa.
Lenz’s law acts as an example of conservation of energy.

Lenz’s Law and Conservation of Energy

When the magnet is moved towards or away, to or from
the coil, it will do work against the magnetic field of the
coil i.e. we will do more work than we would have done
if the call is not present. The extra mechanical energy is
transformed to electrical energy of the induced current.
FLEMING’S RIGHT HAND RULE (Dynamo Rule)
If a straight wire or conductor is moved
inside a magnetic field up or down, an
induced E.M.F will be produced which
will make an induced current to flow as
indicated by the galvanometer
connected to the wire as shown in the
figure above.
NOTE:
[Link] current is induced when the wire is stationary.
[Link] produce current, the wire must move across the
magnetic field lines.
[Link] current induced when the wire moves to the right or
left.
[Link] in movement reverse the current.
[Link] induced current flows also when the wire is stationary
but the magnet moves up or down.
6. The induced current is large when:
[Link] magnet or wire moves faster
[Link] magnet is used
[Link] turns of wire is used
7. The induced E.M.F is given by: E = BVLsinθ,
where:
E = induced E.M.F
V = Velocity of wire in m/s
L = Length of wire in meters
B = Flux density or strength of the magnet
field/flux, measured in Tesla
θ = angle between the wire and the field.
Also, E = ∆(Nθ)/∆t Where:
θ = BA (magnetic flux density). Its unit is Weber.
Where A = area,
N = No. of turns
t = time
The direction of the E.M.F is determined using Fleming’s Right
Hand rule.s
Fleming right hand rule
It states that if the tuMb, First Finger and the
seCond finger of the right hand are held at right
angle to one another, the thuMb will point in the
direction of Motion, the First Finger will point in
the direction of the magnetic Field while the
seCond finger gives the direction of the induced
current /emf .
Self Induction
It is the emf induced in a cool by a current changing
at the rate of one ampere per second. It occurs in
the same coil.
Mutual induction
This occurs in two coils. It is the interaction between
neighbouring circuit.
Eddy current
When a metal sheet e.g. Aluminiun is
being swung between two unlike
magnetic poles, it will soon be brought
to rest due to Eddy current induced in
the sheet because it's motion cuts
across the line of magnetic field.
According to Lenz's law, the induced emf is in
the direction to oppose the motion of the
sheet. The induced current arise from the
induced emf is called Eddy current. This
current produces heat, hence, consumes
energy which results in serious power loss in
AC circuit.
To minimize this Eddy current, the metal
sheet is made from lamination which
produces gaps on slots in the sheet since
current can not flow in the gap. This
causes the Eddy current to drop. The heat
generated can be used in an induction
furnace for melting metals and in
induction cooker for cooking purposes.
Application of electromagnetic induction
1. AC generator (Alternator)
It is a device used for converting mechanical energy
to electrical energy. It consists of a coil of several
turns wound on a shaft (soft iron core) which is
forced me to rotate on an axis PQ within the poles of
permanent magnet. A circular ring of copper (slip
ring), carbon brushes B1 and B2 are connected to
each end of the coil. The brushes lead the current
away from the the ring to an external circuit.
How it works
As the coil rotates, it cuts the magnetic field lines
and emf is induced in the coil. The carbon
brushes tap the current from the coil through the
ring. The direction of the current changes as the
plane of the coil passes the vertical condition
[Link] during a complete rotation thereby
producing an AC.
2. D.C. generator
This is similar to AC generator except that the
slip rings are replaced by a committee. As the
coil rotates, an emf is induced which varies
from maximum when the coil is horizontal to
zero when it is vertical. The external circuit
therefore continue to receive the current in
the same direction so also the emf.
The emf obtained can be increased by :
1. Increasing the number of turns of the
coil
2. Increasing the strength of the magnet
3. Increasing the speed of the rotating coil
4. Wind the coil on soft iron core
The emf obtained can be increased by :
1. Increasing the number of turns of the coil
2. Increasing the strength of the magnet
3. Increasing the speed of the rotating coil
4. Wind the coil on soft iron core
Note
An electric motor can be obtained from DC generator
by replacing the external circuit with battery.