Chapter 3

Electromagnetism

3.1 Magnetic Effects of

current-carrying conductor
Ferromagnetic is the materials that
attracted to the magnet. (iron, nickel)
Non-magnetic-substances that will not
attracted by the magnet. (aluminium,
copper, glass)
Electromagnet is a device in which
magnetism is produced by an electrical
current.

To build a simple electromagnet

Magnetic field
Magnetic field is produce when the
current flows through a conductor which
act as a temporary magnet.
Magnetic field is a region in which a
magnetic material experiences a force as
the result of the presence of a magnet or
a current carrying conductor.

 The direction of a magnetic field at

any point is taken to be the direction
of the force, which would be act on a
free north pole placed at that point.

Straight wire

Right-hand grip rule

Circular coil

Solenoid

Factor affecting the

strength of the magnetic
field of an electromagnet

Electric Bell

Electromagnetic Relay

 An electromagnetic relay connects a primary circuit

to a secondary circuit which has electrical device
that draw a larger current from the power supply.
An example of the use of an electromagnetic relay is
in the starter system of a car.
A very large current of up to 200 A is needed to
operate the starter motor to start up the car engine.

 When the switch is closed by turning the car

key on, a small current flows in the primary
circuit.
The soft iron core is magnetised and
attracts the armature.
The motion of the armature towards the soft
iron causes the contacts to be closed. This
draws the large current in the secondary
circuit to operate the starter motor.

Telephone Earpiece

Electromagnetic Lifting
Machine

3.2 Force on a currentcarrying conductor in a

magnetic field
When a wire carrying a current, I is
placed in a magnetic field, a force, F
will act on the wire.
This can be determine by Flemings
left-hand rule

 Fleming left-hand rule:

If the thumb and the first two fingers are
stretched out at right angles to one other,
the first finger points in the direction of
magnetic field, the centre finger points in
the direction of the current then the
thumb shall point in the direction of the
force, F

Field pattern of a current

in a magnetic field

Factor that affect the

magnitude of the force on a
current-carrying conductor
The strength of magnetic field
The size of the current
The length of the conductor

A moving coil ammeter

 When the current passes through the coil,

a pair of forces of equal magnitude but in
opposite directions act on the sides of the
coil.
As a result, the coil rotates until the
control spring stops the coil from rotating
further.
The pointer now shows a reading on the
scale.

 The coil is placed in a radial magnetic field

as the total magnetic field lines passing
through the coil is constant for all positions
of the coil.
The soft iron core also concentrates the
magnetic field lines.
When no current flows through the coil, the
control spring will bring the coil back to its
original position.

Ways to increase the sensitivity

of moving coil meter
Increase the strength of the magnetic
field.
Increase the number of turns of the coil.
Increase the area of the coil.
Use control spring with lower stiffness.
Use a lighter coil and pointer

DC Motor

3.3 Electromagnetic Induction

Is the production of an electric current in a
conductor when there is a relative motion of
the conductor across a magnetic field
The relative motion of a conductor across a
magnetic field can be produced by:
(a) moving a straight wire quickly across a
magnetic field between two flat
magnets
( b) moving a permanent magnet towards one
end of a solenoid

 Current produce

induced current

Electromotive force produce

induced
e.m.f

 The size of the induced e.m.f( and also

induced current) can be increased by

(a) moving the wire or the magnet

faster
(b) using a stronger magnet
(c) increasing the length of the wire
moving through the field (for example
by bending the wire into a coil of several
turns)

Law of electromagnetic
induction
Faradays law
State that the magnitude of the
e.m.f induced in a conductor is
directly proportional to the rate at
which the conductor cuts the
magnetic field lines.

Lenzs law
States that the induced current
always flows in a direction so that it
opposes the change which is causing
it.

Factor that affect the

magnitude of the induced
current

AC Generator

 d.c (direct current) current that

flows in only one direction
a.c (Alternating Current)
is a
current that reverse its direction at
fixed time intervals.

d.c

a.c

 I0 = peak current
V0 = peak voltage
Period = time taken for a complete cycle
1
from O to D
Frequency, f = T
frequency for a.c in Malaysia is 50Hz

 Root-mean-square current of an a.c is the

effective value of that a.c. current

I rms

I0

2
2

P I rms R

Vrms

P Vrms I rms

V0

2
Vrms
P
R

A transformer provides a root-meansquare voltage of 24 V across a 12

resistor. Find:
(a) the peak voltage, V0 across the
resistor
(b) the root-mean-square current,
through the resistor
(c) the rate of heat produced in the
resistor

Irms

A Hot-wire Meter

A Moving-iron Meter

Converting a milliammter
into a Ammeter
Use of a Shunt

Converting a Milliammeter
to a Voltmeter

3.4 Transformer
Is an electrical device which increase
or decrease an alternating voltage
based on the principle of
electromagnetic induction

Type of transformers
Step-up transformers

Step-down transformers

Efficiency of a
transformer
Efficiency =

Output power
Input power

X 100%

Efficiency =

VsIs
VpIp

X 100%

1.

The primary coil of an ideal transformer has N p

turns and is connect to a potential difference of
240 V a.c. The secondary coil has N s turns and
has an output voltage of 12 V a.c
Ns
(a) Find the turn ratio N
p
(b) If Np=2000, what is the value of Ns?
(c) When a filament bulb labelled 12 v, 24 W is
connected across the output terminals, what is
the value of the output current, Is flowing
through the bulb?
(d) When the 12V bulb is connected to the
secondary coil. The current flowing in the
primary coil is found to be 0.125 A. what is the
efficiency of the transformer?

Way to improve the

efficiency of a transformer