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Electric and Magnetic Fields

LOOK BACK IN
HISTORY
Hans Christian Oersted
(1819), a professor in
the University of
Copenhagen,
discovered during a
class demonstration
that a current carrying
wire caused a nearby
magnetized compass
needle to deflect.
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 Hans Christian Oersted Experiment
Ørsted found that, for a straight
wire carrying a steady (DC)
current[5]
1. The magnetic field lines
encircle the current-carrying wire.
2. The magnetic field lines lie in a
plane perpendicular to the wire.
3. If the direction of the current is
reversed, the direction of the
magnetic field reverses.
4. The strength of the field is
directly proportional to the
magnitude of the current.
• Using the right hand rule 5. The strength of the field at any
to find the direction of the point is inversely proportional to
magnetic field the distance of the point from the
wire.
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 Electric and Magnetic Fields

LOOK BACK IN HISTORY

Twelve years after this
discovery, Michael Faraday
(ˈFer-ə-dā) conducted
his famous induction ring
experiment showing that
current can be produced by
sources of changing
magnetic fields.
This is the key principle to
practical generation of
electricity.

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Induction Ring Experiment
• 2. The change could be
produced by changing the
magnetic field strength, moving
a magnet toward or away from
the coil, moving the coil into or
out of the magnetic field,
rotating the coil relative to the
magnet, etc.
1. Any change in the magnetic environment of
a coil of wire will cause a voltage to be
"induced" in the coil. No matter how the
change is produced, the voltage will be
generated.
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 Side Notes

• The hidden structure of a refrigerator magnet can

serve as a model for how a scanning probe
microscope (SPM) works.
• This tool has a super sharp tip that is only one
atom thick, allowing nanoscientists to probe
• across a nanoscale surface. (A nanometer is a
billionth of a meter.)

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What is the link between movement, magnetism and electric
current?

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Wire in a magnetic field

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Changing the direction of the force
The direction of the force acting on a wire in an
electromagnetic field can be reversed by:

 reversing the current  reversing the magnetic field

The direction of the force is therefore relative to both the

direction of the magnetic field and the current.

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Fleming’s left-hand rule
It is possible to predict the direction of the force acting on
a wire – its motion – if the direction of the current or the
magnetic field are known. Fleming’s left-hand rule is
used to do this.
thuMb = Motion

First finger = magnetic Field

seCond finger = Current

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Coil in a magnetic field

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What are electric motors?
How many items do you own that contain an electric motor?

An electric motor is a device that

converts electrical energy into
mechanical energy to produce a
turning effect.

Most motors are powered using direct

current (DC), which is produced by
cells and batteries.

Motors powered by mains electricity

use alternating current (AC).
These motors use electromagnets
rather than permanent magnets.

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Would the same strength motor be used in both of these?

How can the strength of an electric motor be increased?

 increase the current flowing through the coil
 increase the strength of the magnet
 increase the number of turns on the coil

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Inducing current in a wire

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 Fleming’s right-hand rule
It is possible to predict the direction of the induced current
produced by a generator if the direction of the force (or
motion) or the magnetic field are known. Fleming’s right-
hand rule is used to do this.
thuMb = Motion

First finger = magnetic Field

seCond finger = Current

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What is electromagnetic induction?
When current flows through a wire held in a magnetic field,
a force is created that moves the wire.

The opposite is also possible: if a

wire is moved across a magnetic
field, a current is produced. This is
called electromagnetic induction.

Induction also occurs if a magnet is

moved in a coil of wire, or if a coil of
wire rotates in a magnetic field.

In all these methods of inducing a current, the wire and

magnetic field move perpendicular to each other. If they
move parallel to each other, no current is induced.

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What are generators?
A generator is a device that converts mechanical energy
into electrical energy. It is the opposite of an electric motor.
Power stations use generators
to produce electricity on a large
scale. Mechanical energy is
provided by rotating turbines
that can be powered by:
 high-pressure steam – in
coal, oil, gas and nuclear
power stations
 wind – in wind turbines
 falling water – in hydroelectric power stations

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Increasing the size of the induced current
How can the size of an induced current be increased?
 increase the speed at which the coil rotates
 increase the strength of the magnetic field
 increase the number of turns in the coil
 increase the total area of the coil.
In a power station
generator, an
electromagnet is often
used as this can provide
a stronger magnetic field
than is possible with a
permanent magnet.

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• Factors affecting induced current

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• Induction: true or false?

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 alternating current – A current that constantly changes
direction. It is produced by most electrical generators.
 commutator – The part of a motor that enables the coil to
rotate using direct current.
 direct current – A current that always flows in the same
direction. It is produced by cells and batteries.
 generator – A device that converts mechanical energy into
electrical energy.
 induction – Generating a current in a wire by moving the
wire in a magnetic field, or by moving a magnet inside a coil.
 motor – A device that converts electrical energy into
mechanical energy.
 slip rings – The parts of a generator that enable the
rotating coil to produce alternating current.

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