CHAPTER 3 ELECTROMAGNETISM

3.1

Effect of a current carrying conductor

1. Electromagnetism is the science of the properties and relationship between electric
currents and magnetism.
2. An electric current creates a magnetic eld and a moving magnetic eld will create a ow
of charge.
3. A bar magnet produces magnetic fields the around it. {Figure (a)}

{ figure (a)}

{ figure (b)}

4. Magnetic fields also can be produce by an electric current in a wire.{ figure (b)}
5. If you hold a compass near a wire through which current is owing, the needle on the
compass will be deected.
6. Electromagnet is a temporary magnet. It is made by winding a coil of insulated wire
round a soft iron core.

7. An electromagnet is a type of magnet in which the magnetic field is produced by a flow

of electric current. The magnetic field disappears when the current ceases.
8. The magnetic eld produced by an electric current is always oriented perpendicular to
the direction of the current ow. When we are drawing directions of magnetic elds and
currents, we use the symbol and .
9. The symbol for an arrow that is coming out of the page and the symbol for an arrow
that is going into the page.
10. It is easy to remember the meanings of the symbols if you think of an arrow with a head
and a tail.

11. When the arrow is coming out of the page, you see the head of the arrow ().
12. When the arrow is going into the page, you see the tail of the arrow ().
13. Magnetics Effects of a Current Carrying Conductor - Straight Wire
a. The magnetic field generated by a straight wire are concentric circles around the
wire as shown in figure (a) below.

b. Take notes that when the direction of the current is reversed, the direction of the
magnetic field line is also reversed.
c. The direction of the magnetic field line can be determined by the Maxwell's
Screw Rule or the Right Hand Grip Rule.
d. Right Hand Grip Rule
Grip the wire with the right hand, with the thumb pointing along the direction of
the current. The other fingers give the direction of the magnetic field around the
wire. This is illustrated in the figure below.

e. The Maxwell's Screw Rules

The Maxwell Screw Rules sometime is also called the Maxwell's Corkscrew Rule.
Imagine a right handed screw being turn so that it bores its way in the direction of
the current in the wire. The direction of rotation gives the direction of the
magnetic field.

f.

Strength of the Magnetic Field

-

The strength of the magnetic field form by a current carrying conductor

depends on the magnitude of the current.

A stronger current will produce a stronger magnetic field around the wire
as shown below.
3

The strength of the field decreases out as you move further out. This is
illustrated in diagram below. Thus, you must be very careful when you
are asked to draw the magnetic field in your exam.

The distance of the field lines must increase as it is further out form the
wire.

14. Magnetic Effects of a Current-Carrying Conductor - Flat Coil

a. Field Pattern
-

Figure (a) below shows the field pattern produced by a current flowing
in a circular coil.

In SPM, you need to know the field pattern, the direction of the field and
the factors affect the strength of the field.

The direction of the field can be determined by the Right Hand Grip
Rule. Grip the wire at one side of the coil with your right hand, with
thumb pointing along the direction of the current. Your other fingers will
be pointing in the direction of the field.

Figure (b) shows the plan view of the field pattern.

b. Factors affecting the strength

-

There are 3 ways to increase the strength of the magnetic field:

i.

increase the current and

ii.

increase the number of turns of the coil.

iii.

use coil with smaller radius

15. Magnetic Effects of a Current-Carrying Conductor Solenoid

a. A solenoid is a long coil made up of a numbers of turns of wire.
b. Magnetic Field Pattern
-

Figure (a) illustrates the field pattern produced by a solenoid when

current pass through it.

The field lines in the solenoid are close to each other, indicates that the
magnetic field is stronger inside the solenoid.
5

We can also see that the field lines are parallel inside the solenoid. This
shows that the strength of the magnetic field is about uniform inside the
solenoid.

We can also see that the magnetic field of a solenoid resembles that of
the long bar magnet, and it behaves as if it has a North Pole at one end
and a South Pole at the other.

c. Determining the Pole of the Magnetic Field

-

The pole of the magnetic field of a solenoid can be determined by the

Right Hand Grip Rule.

Imagine your right-hand gripping the coil of the solenoid such that your
fingers point the same way as the current. Your thumb then points in the
direction of the field.

Since the magnetic field lines always come out from the North Pole,
hence the thumb points towards the North Pole.

There is another method can be used to determine the poles of the

magnetic field forms by a solenoid.

Try to visualise that you are viewing the solenoid from the 2 ends as
illustrated in figure (c) below.

The end will be a North pole if the current is flowing in the

aNticlockwise, or a South pole if the current is flowing in the clockwiSe
direction.

d. Strength of the Magnetic Field

-

The strength of the magnetic field can be increased by

i.

increasing the current,

ii.

increasing the number of turns per unit length of the solenoid,

iii.

using a soft-iron core within the solenoid.

16. Applications of Electromagnet

a. Electric Bell

When the switch is on, the circuit is completed and current flows.

The electromagnet becomes magnetised and hence attracts the softiron armature and at the same time pull the hammer to strike the gong.
This enables the hammer to strike the gong.

As soon as the hammer moves towards the gong, the circuit is broken.
The current stops flowing and the electromagnet loses its magnetism.
This causes the spring to pull back the armature and reconnect the
circuit again.

When the circuit is connected, the electromagnet regain its magnetism

and pull the armature and hence the hammer to strike the gong again.
7

This cycle repeats and the bell rings continuously.

b. Electromagnetic Relay

A relay is an electrical switch that opens and closes under the control of
another electrical circuit.

The switch is operated by an electromagnet to open or close one or

many sets of contacts.

A relay has at least two circuits. One circuit can be used to control
another circuit. The 1st circuit (input circuit) supplies current to the
electromagnet.

When the switch is close, the electromagnet is magnetised and attracts

one end of the iron armature.

The armature is then closes the contacts (2nd switch) and allows
current flows in the second circuit.

When the 1st switch is open again, the current to the electromagnet is
cut, the electromagnet loses its magnetism and the 2nd switch is
opened. Thus current stop to flow in the 2nd circuit.

c. Circuit Breaker

Figure above shows the structure of a circuit breaker.

A circuit breaker is an automatic switch that cut off current in a circuit

when the current become too large.
8

When the current in a circuit increases, the strength of the

electromagnet will increase in accordance; this will pull the soft iron
armature towards the electromagnet.

As a result, the spring pulls apart the contact and disconnects the circuit
immediately, and the current stop to flow.

We can reconnect the circuit by using the reset button. The reset button
can be pushed to bring the contact back to its original position to
reconnect the circuit.

d. Telephone Earpiece

An electromagnet is used in the earpiece of a telephone. The figure

shows the simple structure of a telephone earpiece.

When you speak to a friend through the telephone, your sound will be
converted into electric current by the mouthpiece of the telephone.

The current produced is a varying current and the frequency of the

current will be the same as the frequency of your sound.

The current will be sent to the earpiece of the telephone of your friend.

When the current passes through the solenoid, the iron core is
magnetised. The strength of the magnetic field changes according to
the varying current.

When the current is high, the magnetic field will become stronger and
when the current is low, the magnetic field become weaker.

The soft-iron diaphragm is pulled by the electromagnet and vibrates at

the frequency of the varying current. The air around the diaphragm is
stretched and compressed and produces sound wave.
9

3.2

The frequency of the sound produced in the telephone earpiece will be

the same as your sound.

The force on a current carrying conductor in a magnetic field

1. When current flows in a conductor, a magnetic field will be generated.
2. When the current-carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field, the interaction
between the two magnetic fields will produce a resultant field known as the catapult field
as shown in the figure below.

3. The catapult field is a non-uniform field where the field at one side is stronger than the
other side.
4. As a result, a force is produced to move the current carrying conductor from the stronger
field to the weaker field.
5. The force produced by a catapult field is called the catapult force.
6. The direction of the force can be determined by Fleming's left hand rule as shown in
Figure below.

7. The fore finger, middle finger and the thumb are perpendicularly to each other. The
forefinger points along the direction of the magnetic field, middle finger points in the
current direction and the thumb points along the direction of the force.
8. The strength of the force can be increased by:
a. Increase the current
b. Using a stronger magnet
c. using a longer wire
d. arranging the wire perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field.
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9. Turning Effect of a Current Carrying Coil in a Magnetic Field

a. Application of the Force on a Current Carrying Conductor in a Magnetic Field Moving Coil Meter

i. Light Indicator:
A light indicator which has lower inertia is used to increase the sensitivity
of the meter.
ii. Linear Scale:
Due to the radial magnetic field and the cylindrical soft-iron core, a linear
scale is produced. A linear scale is more accurate and easier to be read.
iii. Mirror:
A mirror is used to prevent parallax error. When the observer's eye is
exactly above the indicator, the indicator will cover its own image on the
mirror. This can used to prevent parallax error.
iv. Curved Permanent Magnet:
A curved permanent magnet is used to produce a radial field. A radial field
is a magnetic field where the field lines are either pointing away or toward
the center of the field. A radial can be focused by a cylindrical soft-iron
core.
v. Rectangular Coils:
When a current flows through the coils, a force will be generated due to
the interaction between the magnetic field of the permanent magnet and
the coil. The force will turn the coils, which in turn move the indicator.
vi. Cylindrical Soft-Iron Core:
A cylindrical soft iron core is placed inside the radial field produced by the
curved magnet. A soft-iron core can focus the magnetic field of the
permanent magnet.
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vii. Hair Spring:

The deflection of the coil and the indicator stops when the force is
balanced by the opposing force from the hair spring. The angle of
deflection is directly proportional to the magnitude of the current in the
coil.
b. Direct Current Motor

i. An electric motor converts electrical energy to kinetic energy.

ii. Diagram above shows the structure of a simple direct current motor (DC
motor).
iii. It consist a rectangular coil of wire placed between 2 permanent magnets.
iv. The coil are soldered to a copper split ring known as commutator. 2
carbon brushes are held against the commutator.
v. The function of the brush is to conduct electricity from the external circuit
to the coil and allow the commutator to rotate continuously.
vi. The function of the commutator is to change the direction of the current in
the coil and hence change the direction of the couple (the 2 forces in
opposite direction) in every half revolution. This is to make sure that the
coil can rotate continuously.
c. Application of the Force on a Current Carrying Conductor in a Magnetic Field
Loudspeaker
i. The loud speaker contains a cylindrical coil which is free to move in a
radial magnetic field set up by a strong cylindrical permanent magnet.
ii. The magnet has a central South Pole and a surrounding North Pole. The
field lines are therefore radial and at right angles to the turns of the-coil.
iii. When varying the current flows through the coil, a force of varying
magnitudes will act on the coil. This will cause the coil to move to and fro
according to the magnitude of the force.
iv. The paper cone then vibrates to produce sound waves.

12

10. Force between 2 Current-Carrying Conductors

a. When 2 current carrying conductors are placed close to each other, a force will
be generated between them.
b. If the current in both conductors flow in the same direction, they will attract each
other, whereas if the current are in opposite direction, they will repel each other.
c. This force is due to the interaction between the magnetic field of the 2 conductor.
d. The figure below shows the catapult field produced by 2 current carrying
conductors when their current is in the same direction or opposite direction.

(Magnetic field generated when 2 current carrying conductors with currents move in the same
direction are brought close to each other. The field will cause the 2 conductors attract each
other)

(Magnetic field generated when 2 current carrying conductors with currents move in the
opposite direction are brought close to each other. The field will cause the 2 conductors repel
each other)

13

3.3

Electromagnetic induction
1. When a magnet is moved into and out of the solenoid, magnetic flux is being cut by the
coil.

2. The cutting of magnetic flux by the wire coil induces an e.m.f in the wire.
3. When the solenoid is connected to a closed circuit, the induced current will flow through
the circuit.
4. The production of electric current by changing magnetic field is called electromagnetic
induction.
5. Current/emf is induced only when there is relative motion between the magnetic field
and the conductor.
6. The direction of the induced current and the magnitude of the induced e.m.f due to the
cutting of the magnetic flux can be determined from Lenz's Law and Faraday's Law.
7. There are 2 principal laws of electromagnetic induction:
a. The Faradays law
i. The magnitude of the induced e.m.f is determined from Faraday's Law.
ii. Faraday's Law states that the magnitude of the induced e.m.f is directly
proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux through a coil or
alternatively the rate of the magnetic flux being cut.
iii. Therefore, the induced emf can be increased by
using a stronger magnet
increase the speed of the relative motion
increase the number of turns of the coil
b. The Lenzs law:
i. When a magnet is moved into and out of a coil, the induced current that
flows through the coil can be determined from Lenz's Law.
14

ii. Lenz's Law states that the induced current always flows in the direction
that opposes the change in magnetic flux.
iii. Lenz's Law obeys the principle of conservation of energy. Work is done to
move the magnet against the repulsive force. This work done is converted
to electric energy which manifests as an induced current.
iv. For a conductor in a closed circuit moving perpendicular to a magnetic
field and hence cutting its magnetic flux, the direction of the induced
current is determined from Fleming's Right-Hand Rule.
v. Fleming's Right-Hand Rule is used to determine the direction of the
induced current that flows from the wire when there is relative motion with
respect to the magnetic field.
8. Induced EMF and current in a straight wire:
a. When a straight conductor (or wire) moves and cut a magnetic field, emf will be
induced across the conductor.

b. If the conductor is in a complete circuit, current will flow in the conductor.

c. The direction of the current induced can be determined by using Fleming's Right
Hand Rule.
9. Induced EMF and current in a solenoid:

a. When a bar magnet is inserted into a solenoid, the solenoid will cut the magnetic
flux of the bar magnet. This will induce a current and emf in the solenoid.
b. The induced current will produce another magnetic field around it.
15

c. The pole of the magnetic field and direction of the induced current can be
determined by using Lenz's Law
10.Application of Electromagnetic Induction:
a. DC generator
i. Figure below shows the illustration of a simple direct current (d.c.)
generator.

ii. You should notice that the simple d.c generator is almost the same as the
d.c. motor except that the battery in the d.c. motor is removed and
replaced by a resistor.
iii. The direct current generator produces electric current (or voltage) base
on the principle of electromagnetic induction.
iv. Figure below shows the change of the induced voltage when the coil is at
different position.

v. Initially the armature is vertical. No cutting of magnetic flux occurs and

hence induced current does not exist.
16

vi. When the armature rotates, the change in flux increases and the induced
current correspondingly increases in magnitude.
vii. After rotating by 90, the armature is in the horizontal position. The
change in magnetic flux is maximum and hence the maximum induced
e.m.f is produced. Maximum induced current flows through the
galvanometer.
viii. When the armature continues to rotate, the change in flux decreases.
ix. At the 180 position, there is no change in flux hence no induced current
exists.The induced current is achieves its maximum value again when the
armature is at 270.
x. After rotating 360, the armature returns to its original position.
xi. The direction of the induced current can be determined from Fleming's
Right-Hand Rule.
xii. Even though the magnitude of the induced current or d.g.e is dependent
on the orientation of the coil, the current in the external circuit always
flows in one direction. This uni-directional current is known as direct
current.
b. AC generator

i. Generator can be modified to an a.c generator by replacing its

commutators with two (separate) slip rings. The two slip rings rotate in
tandem with the armature.
ii. Carbon brushes connect the armature to the external circuit. The
armature is initially at the vertical position. No magnetic flux is cut and
hence no induced current exists.
iii. When the armature rotates, the change in magnetic flux increases and
the induced current increases until its maximum value at the horizontal
position.
iv. The direction of the induced current can be determined from Fleming's
Right Hand rule.

17

v. As the armature continues on its rotation, the change in magnetic flux

decreases until at the vertical position, no induced current exists.
vi. Subsequently upon reaching the horizontal position again, the induced
current is maximum, but the direction of the induced current flowing
through the external circuit is reversed.
vii. The direction of the induced current (which flows through the external
circuit) keeps changing depending on the orientation of the armature. This
induced current is also known as alternating current.
viii. The current is positive (+) in one direction and negative in the other (-).
The smooth rings play a critical role in the generation of alternating
current.
11. Direct current and alternating current:
a. Direct current
i. Direct current is a uniform current flowing in one fixed direction in a circuit
ii. Direct current (d.c) is usually supplied by acid-based batteries or dry cells.
iii. A common example of acid-based (electrolyte) batteries is the car battery.
iv. Figure below shows the graph of current supplied by a dry cell over time.

b. Alternating current
i. Alternating current is an electric current in which the direction of flow of
the electrons reverses periodically
ii. Alternating current (a.c) is generated from alternating current generators
such as hydroelectric power generators.
iii. The electricity supplied to households is alternating current.
iv. Household electricity (alternating current) changes direction 50 times
every second. Its magnitude also changes with time.
18

v. Period and frequency

vi. The time taken for one complete cycle is known as the period, T.
vii. The frequency f is defined as the number of complete cycles in 1 second.
viii. The relationship between the frequency and the period is:
f = 1/ T
ix. Table below give the summary of the comparison of the effect of direct
current and alternating on a bulb, a capacitor and a moving coil
loudspeaker.
Direct Current

Alternating Current

Effects on a bulb

The bulb lights up

The bulb lights up

Effects on a
capacitor

Current is detected at
the very beginning and
then ceased to
become zero
afterward.

Current is detected

Effects on moving
coil loudspeaker

No sound produced

Sound produced

12. Root Mean Square Voltage / Current:

a. The Effective Voltage for a Sinusoidal Alternating Current

19

b. The maximum potential difference supplied by an a.c source is known as the

peak voltage VP.
c. The effective potential difference for an a.c is equal to the potential difference of
a alternating current if both results in the same heating effect.
d. The effective potential difference for a.c is known as the root mean square
voltage (r.m.s) of the a.c. and is given y the following equation:
Vrms

= (Vp) / 2

e. The root-mean-square (r.m.s) value of an alternating current is the value of the

steady direct current which produces the same power in a resistor as the mean
power produced by the alternating current.
f.

The r.m.s current is the effective value of the alternating current.

g. The r.m.s. current can be calculated by using the following equation:

I rms

(Ip)/ 2

h. Example 1:

20

Diagram above shows a graph of potential difference, V against time, t of an

alternating current. Find the Vr.m.s. of the power supply.
Answer:
Vrms =
Vrms

Vp
2
= (14)/ 2
=9.90V

i.

Example 2:

The diagram above shows the wave form of an a.c. supply. What is the root
mean square value of the current?( ans: 1.41)

3.4

Transformer
1. A transformer is a device that is used to raise or lower down the potential difference of
an alternating current.

21

2. The function of a transformer is to increase or decrease the potential difference of an

alternating current supply.

3. A transformer consist of 3 parts, namely

a. The primary circuit

i. The primary circuit is the circuit that connected to the input energy
source. The current, potential difference and coil (winding) in the primary
circuit are called the primary current (Ip), primary potential difference (Vp)
and primary coil respectively.
b. The core
i. The core is the ferromagnetic metal wound by the primary and secondary
coil. The function of the core is to transfer the changing magnetic flux
from the primary coil to the secondary coil.
c. The secondary Circuit
i. The secondary circuit is the circuit that connected to the output of the
transformer. The current, potential difference and coil (winding) in the
secondary circuit are called the secondary current (Is), secondary
potential difference (Vs) and secondary coil respectively.
4. Working Principle of A Transformer
22

a. A transformer consists of a primary coil and a secondary coil wound on a soft iron
core.
b. When an alternating current flows in the primary coil, a changing magnetic flux is
generated around the primary coil.
c. The changing magnetic flux is transferred to the secondary coil through the iron
core.
d. The changing magnetic flux is cut by the secondary coil, hence induces an e.m.f.
in the secondary coil.
e. The magnitude of the output voltage can be controlled by the ratio of the number
of primary coil and secondary coil.
5. Types of Current in A Transformer
a. The current in the primary circuit must be alternating current because alternating
current can produce changing magnetic flux. A changing magnetic flux is needed
to induce e.m.f. in secondary coil.
b. The induced current in secondary is also an alternating current. The frequency of
the alternating current in secondary coil is same as the frequency of the primary
current.
c. The alternating in the secondary circuit can be converted into direct current by
using a pair of diode.
6. Symbol of A Transformer:

7. Type of transformer and their calculation:

a. There are 2 types of transformer, namely
i. the step up transformer

23

 A step-up transformer is one where the e.m.f. in the secondary coil

is greater than the e.m.f. in the primary coil. It is used to increases
the potential difference.
The number of windings in the secondary winding is greater than
the number of windings in the primary coil.
The current in the primary coil is greater than the current in the
secondary coil.
ii. the step down transformer

Conversely, a step-down transformer is one where the e.m.f. in the

secondary coil is less than the e.m.f. in the primary coil. It is used
to reduce the potential difference.
The number of windings in the primary winding is greater than the
number of windings in the secondary coil.
The current in the primary coil is lesser than the current in the
secondary coil.
b. Calculation of Potential Difference Change

Vs
Ns

Vp
Np

Vp = input (primary) potential difference

Vs = output (secondary) potential difference
Ip = input (primary) current
Is = output (secondary) current
c. Calculation of Current Change
i. Ideal Transformer

IsVs = IpVp
ii. Non-ideal transformer
IsVs
IpVp

24

Efficiency

x 100 %

Vp = input (primary) potential difference

Vs = output (secondary) potential difference
Ip = input (primary) current
Is = output (secondary) current
8. Factors affects the efficiency of a transformer:
a. The heating effect of current in a coil.
i. Power is lost as heat I2R whereby I is the current flowing through the coil
and R is the resistance of the coil
ii. Methods to increase the efficiency
Use thick copper wires of low resistance. Use coolant to decrease
the temperature of the transformer.
b. Heating effect of induced eddy currents
i. In the iron core. When the magnetic field in the iron core fluctuates, eddy
currents are generated in the iron core.
ii. Methods to increase the efficiency
Use a laminated iron core whereby each layer is insulated with
enamel paint to prevent the flow of eddy currents. The high
resistance between layers of the iron core decrease the
prevalence of eddy currents and heat.
c. Magnetization of the Iron Core
i. The energy used in the magnetization and de-magnetization of the iron
core each time current changes its direction is known as hysterisis. This
energy is lost as heat which subsequently heats up the iron core.
ii. Methods to increase the efficiency
Use a soft iron core that is easily magnetized and de-magnetized.
d. Flux leakage
i. Some of the induced magnetic flux from the primary coil is not transmitted
to the secondary coil, therefore the e.m.f in the secondary coil is
decreased.
ii. The secondary coil(windings) are intertwined tightly with the primary coils.
The iron core should form a closed loop.
25

iii. Methods to increase the efficiency

The secondary coil (windings) is intertwined tightly with the
primary coils. The iron core should form a closed loop.

3.5

Generation & transmission of electricity

1. Sources of Energy Used to Generate Electricity
a. Hydroelectric
i. The advantages of using hydroelectric as a source of energy to generate
electricity are.
It is a renewable energy.
Building a dam does not pollute the environment.
In a lot of country, water can be easily obtained and is free.
Building a hydroelectric plant does not involve very high
technology as nuclear power plant.
ii. The disadvantages of using hydroelectric as a source of energy are.
Building a dam will cause a large area flooded with water, and
hence seriously destroys the ecosystem nearby.
The flooded area causes the loss of wild life habitat and
agriculture land.
Dam failure happens will cause a disaster to the lower reaches
area of the river.
The cost to build a dam is very high.
b. Fossil Fuel
i. The advantages of using fossil fuel such as petroleum, natural gas and
coal as a source of energy to generate electricity are.
It is relatively easy to be collected as they are present in large
amount in one place.
It contains high energy capacity.
ii. The disadvantages of using fossil fuel as a source of energy are.
26

 It releases a lot carbon dioxide when it is burned. Large amount of

carbon dioxide presence in the atmosphere will cause the
increase of the temperature of the atmosphere, known as global
warming. Global warming is the most serious environmental
problem that we are facing now.
Fossil fuels are non-renewable energy.
Pollute the air. Burning of fossil fuel will release particles and
some hazardous gases such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen
dioxide which will pollute the air.
c. Solar power
i. The advantages of using solar energy as a source of energy to generate
electricity are.
It is a renewable energy.
Sunlight is free and can be obtained easily.
It does not pollute the air.
ii. The disadvantages of using solar energy as a source of energy are.
A large area is needed to install the solar plate.
The amount of sunlight at non-tropical area depends on the
season.
The energy collected need to be store in a cell so that it can be
used at the time sunlight is not present.
Its capacity is limited by the capacity of the cell. Normally a cell
has relatively low capacity.
d. Nuclear Power
i. The advantages of using nuclear energy as a source of energy to
generate electricity are.
The nuclear fuel such as uranium and plutonium has high energy
capacity. Small amount of uranium can produces huge amount of
energy.
Nuclear energy does not pollute the air.
ii. The disadvantages of using nuclear energy as a source of energy are.
Hazardous radioactive waste is produced during nuclear reaction.
27

 The radioactive waste will cause pollution in a very large area if

leakage happens in the nuclear power plan.
The cost to maintain a nuclear plant is very high.
Building a nuclear plant involving very high technology. Only a few
countries own such technology.

e. Biomass
i. Biomass is biological material derived from living organisms such as
wood and animal waste.
ii. As a renewable energy source, biomass can either be used directly via
combustion to produce heat, or indirectly after converting it to various
forms of biofuel.
iii. Heat energy produced from the burning of biomass can be used to
generate electricity.
iv. Advantages
It is renewable energy.
Using biomass to generate electricity can reduce the disposal of
organic waste.
Liquid biofuels will not pollute the air because they are lead-free
and sulphur-free.
v. Disadvantages
Large storage space is required to store the biomass.
Land utilization can be considerable. Can lead to deforestation.
Overall process can be expensive
f.

Wind Power
i. The advantages of using wind as a source of energy to generate
electricity are.
It is a renewable energy.
It does not pollute the environment.
It is suitable for mountain area because the wind speed in
mountain area is relatively high.
28

ii. The disadvantages of using wind as a source of energy are.

A large area is needed to build the windmills.
The windmills will produce high level of noise.
The power generated is inconsistent due to the inconsistent of the
wind speed and wind direction.

2. Transmission of electricity:
a. Voltage is stepped up before transmitting electricity over long distance, stepping
up the voltage can reduces the current in the cable. This reduces the power loss
in the cable during transmission.
b. Problems Involving Electricity Transmission.
i. Power Loss During Transmission.
ii. The high voltage transmission cable is very dangerous.
iii. The cost of the cables are high.
iv. Charge leakage may happen between cables and earth.
v. Pylons may be struck by lightning.
vi. Pylons and cables may be struck by light aircraft.
3. National Grid Network
a. A national Grid Network is a network of cable that connects all the power stations
in a country to transmit electricity to the consumers throughout the nation.
b. The advantages of the National Grid Network
i. Reduces power lost during transmission. The potential difference is
increased before transmission. This can reduce the current and hence
reduces the energy lost during transmission.
ii. Electricity supply is more stable and reliable. This ensures a continuous
supply of electrical energy to the whole country.
iii. Electric current can be distributed to different users according to the
voltage requirement. Transformer is used to step down the voltage to
certain level according to the needs of the consumers.
iv. Maintenance and repair work can be done at anytime. This is because
any power stations can be shut down without affecting users in other
areas.
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