Electromagnetism

GCSE Physics

Learning Intentions
Recall the significant link between electricity and magnetism Observe how a magnetic field can interact with a conducting wire State how electricity can be generated

Electrical Generators

Investigate
How does a magnet affect the loop of conducting wire?

What has to happen for the current to flow?

How is it possible for current to flow without moving the magnet? How is the direction of the current flowing related to the magnet?

How is it possible to increase the amount of current? Is there more than one way of doing this?

The Not-so-Missing Link

Magnetism is closely related to Electricity. These two characteristics combine to make one of the fundamental forces in physics known as Electromagnetism. Where there is a magnetic field there is the potential to make an electric current flow Where there is a flow of an electric current there is an associated magnetic field.

Uniform Magnetic Field between poles

Move the wire through the magnetic field

Making Electricity
Move the wire down cutting through the magnetic field

Induces a current

Making Electricity
Move the wire up cutting through the magnetic field

Induces a current in the other direction

No Current Induced when

the movement of the wire does not cut through the magnetic field lines
0

the wire does not move

Electromagnetic Induction (pg156)

This time use a wire coil (solenoid) and move the magnet in and out
Magnet moved in
Magnet moved out

Induced Current
Move the magnet into the coil and a current is induced in one direction Move the magnet out of the coil and a current is induced in the other direction As soon as the motion stops the current will stop For a current to be induced the magnet field lines need to continually be cutting through the wires

Increase the SIZE of current/voltage

Increase the speed of the movement of the magnet towards/away from the coil Use a more powerful magnet (more magnetic field lines produced) Increase the number of coils in the wire (more wire being cut through by magnetic field lines)

For current to flow

The magnetic field lines must continually be cut through by the wire (through the lines of force) Work is done against the force of the magnet and an energy transfer occurs

Kinetic

Electrical

Learning Intentions
Recall the significant link between electricity and magnetism Recognise how a solenoid can induce a current in a coil of conducting wire State the need for AC supplied to a solenoid to continually induce a current Understand how a transformer can be used to change voltage between two circuits

How does it work?

Alternating Current (AC), one way and then another The magnetic field lines are cutting through the wires in the secondary coilinducing a current!

Pass a current through a coil of wire and a magnetic field is created.

Primary Coil

Secondary Coil

When a magnetic field is at right angles to a wire, a current is induced in that wire

Increase the Current and the associated magnetic field becomes stronger

Primary Coil

Secondary Coil

A stronger magnetic field will induce a larger current in that wire

Decrease the Current and the associated magnetic field becomes weaker.

Primary Coil

Secondary Coil

A weaker magnetic field will induce a smaller current in that wire

A current which is kept constant in one direction is known as Direct Current (D.C.)

Primary Coil

Secondary Coil

If the magnetic field does not vary then the current will no longer be induced and will not flow

A current which flows in one direction and then in the other direction is called an Alternating Current (A.C.)

Primary Coil

Secondary Coil

If the magnetic field is changing all the time then a current will continually be induced.

Transformers (pg 161)

What is a transformer? A transformer consists of two coils wrapped around a laminated soft iron core.
Primary Coil
Secondary Coil

Transformers Symbol
Iron Core

Types of Transformers
Primary coils < Secondary coils
Step Up

The Iron Core links the two coils magnetically

Step Up
A step up transformer has more turns of wire on the secondary coil, which makes a larger induced voltage in the secondary coil. It is called a step up transformer because the voltage output is stepped up

Step Down Transformer

Primary Coils > Secondary Coils
Step Down

The Core is made of iron so it can be easily magnetised and demagnetised.

Step Down
A step down transformer has less turns of wire on the secondary coil, which makes a smaller induced voltage in the secondary coil. It is called a step down transformer because the voltage output is stepped down.

Transformers Equation
Voltage Across Primary Voltage Across Secondary

Number of turns on Primary Number of turns on Secondary

Vp = VS

Np NS

Worked Example
A voltage of 240V is applied to a primary coil of 200 turns. What is the voltage across the secondary coil if it has 10 turns?
Vp VS
240 VS

Np = NS
= 200 10

200 VS = 240 x 10
VS = 12 Volts

Learning Intentions
Recall the significant link between electricity and magnetism Recognise how the electrical power generated by a turbine is A.C. Recall how electricity is transmitted through out the country by The Grid State the need for step-up and step-down transformers for nationwide electricity distribution

A.C. Generator
http://www.sciencejoywagon.com/physicszone/otherpub/wfendt/generatorengl.htm

Alternating Current Generator (alternator) - Page 158

Katie Explains AC generators-

The National Grid (pg 159)

Electricity generated a power station is distributed to homes, shops, schools factories etc across the country by a network of cables called the National Grid. Step up Transformers are used before transmission on the Grid Local Step down Transformers are used before consumption by homes, schools etc

Why use Transformers?

Page 160 and 161

Lets get active

Match the statements to the pictures to make up the process for which electricity is distributed across our beautiful country

 The power is then supplied to the homes, factories, offices etc for their own consumption. The electrical power is connected to the National Grid which is a network of cables stretching over the country. It is important that the voltage is high in these cables. A Transformer does not create more energy by stepping up the voltage. The power generated is equal to that consumed. The voltage is increased so that the current is reduced. This means less energy will be lost as heat in the cables (smaller resistance). The voltage needs to be stepped down to a lower value by local transformers In Power Stations, the alternators are driven by huge turbines, spun round by the high pressure steam. A large current is produced. Transformers are used to step up the voltage before the electrical power is distributed across the country

To finish with
Page 164 Questions 11 and 12