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1
6.6.1 Formula of torque
Consider a rectangular coil (loop) of wire with side lengths a and
b that it can turn about axis PQ. The coil is in a magnetic field of
flux density B and the plane of the coil makes an angle u with
the direction of the magnetic field. A current I is flowing round
the coil as shown in Figure 6.31.
6.6 Torque on a coil
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2
Q
P
b
a
Figure 6.31a

1
F

I I
I
I
1
F

|
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3
From the Figure 6.31b, the magnitude of the force F
1
is given by


From the Figure 6.31a, the forces F lie along the axis PQ.
| sin
2
b
| sin
2
b

1
F

1
F

|
Q
|
|
2
b
rotation
rotation
Figure 6.31b: side view

90 sin
1
IlB F = a l =
and
IaB F =
1
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4
From the Figure 6.31a, the forces F lie along the axis PQ.
The resultant force on the coil is zero but the nett torque is
not zero because the forces F
1
are perpendicular to the axis
PQ as shown in Figure 6.31a.
The forces F
1
cause the coil to rotate in the clockwise
direction about the axis PQ as shown in Figure 6.31b.
The magnitude of the nett torque about the axis PQ (refer to
Figure 6.31b) is given by

|
.
|

\
|

|
.
|

\
|
= | | sin
2
sin
2
1 1
b
F
b
F
IaB F =
1
|
.
|

\
|
= | sin
2
2
1
b
F
and
( )
|
.
|

\
|
= | sin
2
2
b
IaB
| sin IabB = coil) of area ( A ab =
and
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5
since thus



For a coil of N turns, the magnitude of the torque is given by
| sin IAB =
= |

90
( ) IAB = t

90 sin
IABcos = t
| sin NIAB =
OR
NIAB cos =
(6.14)
(6.15)
where coil on the torque :
density flux magnetic : B
coil in the flows current : I
B A

and area ctor between ve angle : |
B

and coil the of plane e between th angle :
(coils) turns of number : N
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6
From the eq. (6.14), thus the formula of torque in the vector form
is given by


The torque is zero when u = 90 or |= 0 and is maximum
when u = 0 or |= 90 as shown in Figures 6.32a and 6.32b.
( ) B A NI

=
(6.16)

0 = |

90 =
B

0 sin NIAB =

90 cos NIAB =
OR
0 =
Figure 6.32a
B

0 =

90 = |
Figure 6.32b

90 sin NIAB =

0 cos NIAB =
OR
NIAB =
max
plane of the coil
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7
In a radial field, the plane of the coil is always parallel to the
magnetic field for any orientation of the coil about the vertical
axis as shown in Figure 6.33.








Hence the torque on the coil in a radial field is always
constant and maximum given by



Radial field is used in moving coil galvanometer.

0 =

90 = |
OR
S N
coil fixed soft
iron cylinder
radial field
Figure 6.33: Plan view of moving coil meter

90 sin NIAB =

0 cos NIAB = OR
NIAB =
maximum
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8
A 50 turns rectangular coil with sides 10 cm 20 cm is placed
vertically in a uniform horizontal magnetic field of magnitude 2.5 T. If
the current flows in the coil is 7.3 A, determine the torque acting on
the coil when the plane of the coil is
a. perpendicular to the field,
b. parallel to the field,
c. at 75 to the field.
Solution :
The area of the coil is given by

a.
Example 13 :
A 7.3 T; 5 . 2 turns; 50 = = = I B N
( )( )
2 2 2 2
m 10 0 . 2 10 20 10 10

= = A
From the figure, u = 90 and | = 0 , thus the
torque on the coil is
| sin NIAB = NIAB cos =
OR
B

90 =

90 cos NIAB =

0 sin NIAB =
0 =
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9
Solution :
b.





c.
B

90 = |
From the figure, u = 0 and | = 90 , thus
the torque on the coil is
NIAB cos =
( )( )( )( )

0 cos 5 . 2 10 0 . 2 3 . 7 50
2
=
m N 3 . 18 =
A 7.3 T; 5 . 2 turns; 50 = = = I B N
B

15 = |

75 =
From the figure, u = 75 and | = 15,thus
the torque on the coil is
NIAB cos =
( )( )( )( )

75 cos 5 . 2 10 0 . 2 3 . 7 50
2
=
m N 72 . 4 =
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10
A galvanometer consists of a coil of wire suspended in the
magnetic field of a permanent magnet. The coil is rectangular
shape and consists of many turns of fine wire as shown in
Figure 6.34.
6.6.2 Moving-coil galvanometer
Figure 6.34
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11
When the current I flows through the coil, the magnetic field
exerts a torque on the coil as given by

This torque is opposed by a spring which exerts a torque, t
s

given by



The coil and pointer will rotate only to the point where the
spring torque balances the torque due to magnetic field,
thus


NIAB =
k
s
=
where
constant torsional : k
radian in coil the of angle rotation :
s
=
k NIAB=
NAB
k
I =
(6.17)
(6.18)
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12
A rectangular coil of 10 cm 4.0 cm in a galvanometer has 50 turns
and a magnetic flux density of 5.0 10
2
T. The resistance of the
coil is 40 O and a potential difference of 12 V is applied across the
galvanometer, calculate the maximum torque on the coil.
Solution :

The area of the coil is given by


The current through the galvanometer is


Therefore the maximum torque on the coil is
Example 14 :
( )( )
2 3 2 2
m 10 0 . 4 10 0 . 4 10 10

= = A
( ) 40 12 I =
IR V =
A 3 . 0 = I
NIAB =
max
t
m N 10 0 . 3
3
max

=
; 0 4 T; 10 0 . 5 turns; 50
2
O = = =

R B N
V 12 = V
( )( )( )( )
2 3
10 0 . 5 10 0 . 4 3 . 0 50

=
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13
Ohmmeter
It is used to measure the unknown resistance of the resistor.
Figure 6.35 shows the internal connection of an Ohmmeter.
6.6.3 Electrical instruments
Q P

0
M
R
S
R

X
R
O
where
resistance (coil) meter :
M
R
resistance variable :
S
R
resistance unknown :
X
R
Figure 6.35
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14
When nothing is connected to terminals P and Q, so that the
circuit is open (that is, when R ), there is no current and
no deflection.
When terminals P and Q are short circuited (that is when
R = 0), the ohmmeter deflects full-scale.
For any value of R
X
the meter deflection depends on the value
of R
X
.
Ammeter
It is used to measure a current flows in the circuit.
Ammeter is connected in series with other elements in the
circuit because the current to be measured must pass directly
through the ammeter.
An ammeter should have low internal resistance (R
M
) so that
the current in the circuit would not affected.
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15
The maximum reading from the ammeter is known as full
scale deflection (fs).
If the full scale current passing through the ammeter then the
potential difference (p.d.) across that ammeter is given by




If the meter is used to measure currents that are larger than its
full scale deflection (I >I
fs
), some modification has to be done.
A resistor has to be connected in parallel with the meter
(coil) resistance R
M
so that some of the current will
bypasses the meter (coil) resistance.
This parallel resistor is called a shunt denoted as R
S
.
Figure 6.36 shows the internal connection of an ammeter
with a shunt in parallel.
M fs fs
R I V =
where resistance ) meter(coil :
M
R
current scale full :
fs
I
(p.d.) difference potential scale full :
fs
V
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16











Since shunt is connected in parallel with the meter (coil)
resistance then

0
max
A
M
R
S
R
I
fs
I
S
I
I
Figure 6.36
S M
R R
V V =
and
fs S
I I I =
S S M fs
R I R I =
( )
S fs M fs
R I I R I =
M
fs
fs
S
R
I I
I
R
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
(6.19)
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17
Voltmeter
It is used to measure a potential difference (p.d.) across
electrical elements in the circuit.
Voltmeter is connected in parallel with other elements in the
circuit therefore its resistance must be larger than the
resistance of the element so that a very small amount of
current only can flows through it. An ideal voltmeter has
infinity resistance so that no current exist in it.
To measure a potential difference that are larger than its full
scale deflection (V > V
fs
), the voltmeter has to be modified.
A resistor has to be connected in series with the meter
(coil) resistance R
M
so that only a fraction of the total p.d.
appears across the R
M
and the remainder appears across
the serial resistor.
This serial resistor is called a multiplier OR bobbin
denoted as R
B
.

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18
Figure 6.37 shows the internal connection of a voltmeter with
a multiplier in series.














Since the multiplier is connected in series with the meter (coil)
resistance then the current through them are the same, I
fs
.
0
max
V
M
R
B
R
Electrical
element
V
1
I
fs
I
I
Figure 6.37
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19
The p.d. across the electrical element is given by

Hence the multiplier resistance is
M B
R R
V V V + =
M fs B fs
R I R I V + =
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
fs
M fs
B
I
R I V
R
(6.20)
Note:
To convert a galvanometer to ammeter, a shunt
(parallel resistor) is used.
To convert a galvanometer to voltmeter, a multiplier
(serial resistor) is used.
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20
A milliammeter with a full scale deflection of 20 mA and an internal
resistance of 40 O is to be used as an ammeter with a full scale
deflection of 500 mA. Calculate the resistance of the shunt required.
Solution :
By applying the formula of shunt resistor, thus

Example 15 :
A 10 500 ; 40 A; 10 20
3
M
3
fs

= O = = I R I
M
fs
fs
S
R
I I
I
R
|
|
.
|

\
|

=
O = 67 . 1
S
R
( ) 40
10 20 10 500
10 20
3 3
3
|
|
.
|

\
|


=

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21
A galvanometer has an internal resistance of 30 O and deflects full
scale for a 50 A current. Describe how to use this galvanometer to
make
a. an ammeter to read currents up to 30 A.
b. a voltmeter to give a full scale deflection of 1000 V.
Solution :
a. We make an ammeter by putting a resistor in parallel (R
S
) with
the internal resistance, R
M
of the galvanometer as shown in
figure below.
Example 16 :
O = =

30 A; 10 50
M
6
fs
R I
S
I
I
M
R
fs
I
G
S
R
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22
Solution :
a. Given
Since R
S
in parallel with R
M
therefore






b. We make a voltmeter by putting a resistor in series (R
B
) with the
internal resistance, R
M
of the galvanometer as shown in figure
below.
O = =

30 A; 10 50
M
6
fs
R I
A 30 = I
S M
R R
V V =
and
fs S
I I I =
( )
S fs M fs
R I I R I =
in parallel.
S S M fs
R I R I =
( )( ) ( )
S
6 6
10 50 30 30 10 50 R

=
O =

10 0 . 5
5
S
R
V
fs
I
M
R
G
B
R
fs
I
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23
Solution :
b. Given
Since R
B
in series with R
M
therefore
O = =

30 A; 10 50
M
6
fs
R I
V 1000 = V
M B
R R
V V V + =
M fs B fs
R I R I V + =
( ) ( )( ) 30 10 50 10 50 1000
6
B
6
+ = R
O = 10 0 . 2
7
B
R in series.
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24
Exercise 6.5 :
1. A moving coil meter has a 50 turns coil measuring 1.0 cm by
2.0 cm. It is held in a radial magnetic field of flux density
0.15 T and its suspension has a torsional constant of 3.010
6

N m rad
1
. Determine the current is required to give a
deflection of 0.5 rad.
ANS. : 1.010
3
A
2. A milliammeter of negligible resistance produces a full scale
deflection when the current is 1 mA. How would you convert
the milliammeter to a voltmeter with full scale deflection of
10 V?
ANS. : 1.010
4
O in series
3. A moving-coil meter has a resistance of 5.0 O and full scale
deflection is produced by a current of 1.0 mA. How can this
meter be adapted for use as :
a. a voltmeter reading up to 10 V,
b. a ammeter reading up to 2?
ANS. : 9995 O in series; 2.510
3
O in parallel