The following figure shows a segment of two long straight parallel wires P and Q.

10 cm

2A 3A 15 cm

P Q

(a) Find the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field at Q due to P.
(3 marks)

(b) Find the magnitude and direction of the force acting on this segment of Q by P. (3
marks)

(Given: the permeability of free space 0 = 4  10–7 T m A–1)

-- ans --

Solutions Marks

μ0 I
1M
(a) B = 2 πr

(4 π ×10−7 )(2)
= 2 π (0. 1)

= 4  10–6 T 1A

 The magnitude of the magnetic field is 4  10–6 T.

By the right-hand grip rule for straight wires, its direction is into the page. 1A

(b) F = BIl

= (4  10–6)(3)(0.15) 1M

= 1.8  10–6 N 1A

 The magnitude of the force is 1.8  10–6 N.

By Fleming’s left-hand rule, its direction is to the left. 1A

-- ans end --

The following figure shows the structure of a simple d.c. motor.

 magnet

N S

commutator
carbon brush

observer’s eye

(a) To the observer, does the coil rotate in the clockwise or the anticlockwise direction?
(1 mark)

(b) (i) Explain the function of the commutator.(3 marks)

(ii) Explain the reason why the coil rotates even at the moment when the
commutator and the carbon brushes are not in contact. (1 mark)

(c) The coil has 50 turns and an area of 40 cm 2. Suppose the region between the two poles
of the magnet has a uniform magnetic field of strength 2  10–3 T and a current of 5 A is flowing through
the coil. Calculate the maximum torque experienced by the coil. (2 marks)

-- ans --

Solutions Marks

(a) Clockwise 1A

(b) (i) When the coil shoots past the vertical, the commutator reverses
the current through the coil 1A

and as a result maintains the direction of the torque acting on the

coil, 1A

so that the coil can keep on rotating in the same direction to

produce continuous rotation. 1A

(ii) The coil rotates due to the inertia of the coil. 1A

(c) Maximum torque = BIAN

= (2  10–3)(5)(40  10–4)(50) 1M
 = 2  10–3 N m 1A

-- ans end --

The figure below shows three long straight parallel current-carrying wires X, Y and Z. The directions of
the currents are indicated in the figure. Y carries a current of 12 A. The resultant magnetic force acting
on X is zero while the magnetic force per unit length acting on X due to Y is 4.2  104 N.

X Y Z

30 cm 30 cm

(a) Find the currents in X and Z. (3 marks)

(b) Hence find the resultant magnetic force per unit length acting on Y.
(2 marks)

-- ans --

Solutions Marks

μ0 I1 I 2 l
1M
(a) By F = 2 πr ,
−4
2 π rF (2 π )(0. 3 )(4 . 2×10 )
1A
IX
μ I l −7
= 0 Y = (4 π×10 )(12 )(1) = 52.5 A
−4
2 π rF (2 π )(0. 6 )(4 . 2×10 )
1A
IZ
μ I l −7
= 0 X = (4 π ×10 )(52. 5 )(1) = 24 A

The current in X is 52.5 A and the current in Z is 24 A.

(b) The magnetic force acting on Y due to X is attractive with magnitude

4.2  104 N per unit length, and that due to Z is repulsive, Therefore, the resultant
force acting on Y is towards X. 1A

Resultant magnetic force per unit length acting on Y

(4 π×10−7 )(24 )(12)(1)

= 4.2  104 N + (2 π )(0 . 3)

= 6.12  104 N 1A

-- ans end --
The set-up below is used to estimate the magnitude of the magnetic field between two slab-shaped
magnets. A horizontal segment of wire of length 4 cm is fixed between the magnets. A current of 0.6 A is
then sent through the wire.

wire
slab-shaped magnet

electronic balance

The readings of the balance before and after the current is sent are 156.0 g and 160.6 g respectively.

(a) Explain the change in the reading before and after the current is sent.

(b) Estimate the magnitude of the magnetic field between the magnets.

(c) Does this experiment work if the poles of the magnets are reversed? What happens to the
readings of the balance in that case?

Solution

(a) When there is a current, a downward / an upward magnetic force acts on the

wire by the magnets. According to Newton’s _________ law, a downward / an upward

reaction force acts on the _______________ by the _______________. The reading, giving the
sum of this reaction force and the weight acting on the magnets (and the steel yoke), increases.

(b) Magnetic force F acting on the wire = difference in balance reading  g

By F = BIl,

B=

 The magnitude of the magnetic field is ______________.

(c) This experiment still works / does not work anymore. The reading will _____________ after a
current is sent through the wire.

Refer to the set-up above. Take SY = TY = 15 cm.

(a) If the reading of the electronic balance is 0.80 g, what is the magnetic force FB acting on the
frame?

(b) The electronic balance is then removed and a movable rider of mass 5 g is placed on the frame
as shown. When a current of 2.5 A flows through RS, the rider is moved to
3.2 cm from Y to keep the frame horizontal. Estimate the magnetic force FB.

Solution

(a) Take moment about the pivot edges.

Clockwise moment = anticlockwise moment

(b) Take moment about the pivot edges.

Clockwise moment = anticlockwise moment