PHYSICS REVISION

ELECTROMAGNETISM
MAGNETIC FIELDS
Magnetic fields around bar magnets, coils of wire (solenoid) can be found seen by a
pattern of iron filings or continually placing plotting compasses and marking where
they point. When drawing wires, a circle around a dot indicates current coming out
the paper and a circle around a cross going in.

If one is known either the direction of the magnetic field or direction of the current
can be determined using the Right Hand Grip Rule with fingers curled in the direction
of the magnetic field and the thumb pointing in the direction of the current.

MOTOR EFFECT
When a current passes through a wire inside a magnetic field, the wire experiences
a force that can move the wire. If two of the direction of the current, direction of the
magnetic field or direction of force are known then the third can be determined using
Flemings Left Hand Rule. The Motor Effect is used to make simple D.C. motors with
a coil of wire that is free to rotate between two opposite magnetic poles. The
direction of the current must be reversed every half-turn otherwise the coil comes to
a halt. This is done using a split ring commutator. The speed of rotation and the
turning force of the motor increases with: the size of the current, the strength of the
magnetic field and the number of turns of wire.

Moti
on
INDUCTION
When a conducting wire cuts magnetic field lines a current is induced. This happens
when it moves inside a magnetic field or the magnetic field changes around it. The
size of this current increases with the rate of change of flux. If two of the direction of
the current, direction of the magnetic field or direction of force are known then the
third can be determined using Flemings Right Hand Rule. Induction is used to make
simple A.C. generators with a coil of wire that is free to rotate between two opposite
magnetic poles. The output of the generator increases with: the speed of rotation,
the strength of the magnetic field and the number of turns of wire.

TRANSFORMERS
Transformers are used to change A.C. in the National Grid, transporting it at low
current and high voltage to reduce energy loss and supplying it at high current and
low voltage for safety. An alternating voltage across the primary coil produces an
alternating current in the coil. This produces a changing magnetic field in the core
connecting it the primary and secondary coils. The changing magnetic field in the
core induces an alternating current in the secondary coil, the size of which
depending on the ratio of the number of turns in the coils as with the equation

V 1 N1
=
V 2 N2

in a 100% efficient transformer. The efficiency of transformers can be

determined by comparing P=IV of the secondary transformer to that of the primary

transformer.