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Electricity and Magnetism: Grade 7
Electricity and Magnetism: Grade 7
Magnetism
Grade 7
Contents :
• Law of Magnetism
• Test for a magnet
• Electromagnet – its principle
• Uses of electricity
• Sources of electricity (the electric cell, the mains, the generator and solar
cells)
• Symbols and functions of various components of an electric circuit
• Series and parallel circuits
• Define conductors and insulators of electricity
What is a magnet?
• An ore of iron called magnetite.
• Capable of guiding direction.
• Two types- Natural and artificial Magnets
➢ Natural magnets – irregular in size, weak in
magnetic strength
➢ Artificial Magnets – bar magnet, magnetic
needle, horse shoe magnet, compass etc.
Properties of Magnets :
1. Attractive property – attracts small pieces of
iron, nickel, cobalt etc.
2. Directive property – If suspended freely, it
always rests in the north-south direction
Attractive property of a magnet :
The property of attraction is not the same everywhere along the length of a bar
magnet but is maximum near the ends of a bar magnet.
The ends of the magnet where the attractive property is maximum are called the
poles of the magnet.
Directive property of a magnet
• If a magnet is suspended freely with a silk
thread from a wooden stand, it swings for
some time and then comes to rest in a
particular direction-north-south direction.
• The end of the magnet which points towards
the north is called the north seeking pole or
north pole(N). Sometimes a red dot is etched
at the north pole.
• The end of the magnet which points towards
the south is called the south seeking pole or
south pole(S).
Magnetic materials :
Materials which are attracted by a
magnet are called magnetic materials.
Eg. Iron, steel, cobalt and nickel.
Non-magnetic materials :
Materials which are not attracted by a
magnet are called non-magnetic
materials.
Eg. Paper, wood, brass, plastic, copper,
aluminium etc.
Law of Magnetism :
• Like poles repel and unlike poles attract.
• Two like poles(both north poles or both south poles) repel each other.
• Two unlike poles(one north pole and the other south pole) attract each other.
Do you know ?
• Attraction can also not be the sure test of being a magnet as a bar magnet
may attract opposite poles of other magnet or it can attract a piece of non-
magnetized magnetic substance.
• But any pole of a magnet can repel only the like pole of the other magnet. So,
repulsion is the surest test of being a magnet.
Magnetic field:
• The space around a bar magnet in which the
magnetic compass gets influenced is called its
magnetic field.
• We know that when we place a magnetic
compass on a table, its needle rests in the north-
south direction. If we place a bar magnet near
that magnetic compass, we observe that the
magnetic needle of compass swings and then
rests in a direction other than north-south. Now if
we place the magnetic compass at different
points around the bar magnet, the direction in
which the magnetic needle of compass rests,
changes. This shows that the space around the
bar magnet has a property to influence the
magnetic needle of the compass.
Electromagnet:
• Principle : If an insulated copper wire is
wound around a cylindrical card board
or soft iron of length much more than its
diameter, we get a cylindrical coil (called
solenoid).
• When the ends of the coil are joined to a
dry cell and current is passed through it,
the cylindrical coil carrying current
behaves like a magnet(it produces a
magnetic field around it). This magnet is
called an electromagnet.
Uses of electromagnets:
• Electromagnets are used in fans, motors , mixers, air conditioners, electric bell, electrical instruments,
MRI scans etc. They are also used to lift heavy loads. They behave as temporary magnets.
Magnetic polarities at the ends of an
electromagnet:
• It depends on the direction of
current in the coil.
• Clock rule:
• The end of the electromagnet
where the direction of current is
anti-clockwise becomes the north
pole N and the end where the
direction of current is clockwise
becomes the south pole S
For a temporary electromagnet, soft iron
is used as a core whereas for a
permanent electromagnet, steel is used
as a core.
Ways of increasing the magnetic field of an
electromagnet:
1. By inserting a rod of soft iron or steel (also called core)inside the
cylindrical tube.
The moving electrons constitute an electric current. The direction of current is taken opposite
to the direction of flow of electrons. To keep an electric current flowing between the two
conductors, it is necessary to maintain an excess of electrons on one conductor and deficit
of electrons on the other. In an electric cell, this is done by a chemical reaction in the
electrolyte which creates deficit of electrons on anode and excess of electrons on cathode.
Electric current :
• Current is defined as rate of flow of charge i.e. the amount of charge
flowing in one second.
• It is measured in the unit ampere (A)
• In metals, current flows due to the motion of free electrons but in liquids
current flows due to the motion of ions.
Symbols and functions of various components
of an electric circuit :
• The various electric components are :
1. Source of electricity
2. Switch or key
3. Bulb and
4. Connecting wires
Symbols and functions of various components
of an electric circuit :
• An electric circuit is represented by a line diagram for which we use
symbols for the various electric components.
• Source of electricity – A cell or a group of cells is generally used as a
source of electricity. A group of cells connected in series is called a
battery. A cell has two terminals : A positive (+), and a negative (-). It is
represented by the two vertical lines of unequal length. The long vertical
line represents the positive terminal, and the short line represents the
negative terminal.
Symbols and functions of various components
of an electric circuit :
• To use two or more cells, the positive terminal of one cell is
joined to the negative terminal of the other cell and so
on. This is called the series combination of cells. In series
combination, the same current flows through each cell. In
a torch, we use two or more cells in series.
• A group of cells is called a battery.
• In parallel combination of cells, the positive terminals of all
the cells are connected together and the negative
terminals of the cells are connected together. Here the
current is divided amongst cells.
Symbols and functions of various components
of an electric circuit :
• Switch or key: A switch or key is
used to put the circuit on and off.
• Bulb and resistor: It is the
component which opposes the
flow of current in the circuit.
• Connecting wires: They are used to
connect the various components in
the electric circuit.
Direction of conventional current in a circuit
• When the circuit is complete, a current flows
through the various components connected in a
circuit from the positive terminal of the cell to its
negative terminal. The direction of current in the
circuit is indicated by marking an arrow from the
positive terminal of cell to its negative terminal.
• Figure 7.32 – (a) shows a circuit containing a cell,
switch, and bulb. The line diagram is shown in
7.32 – (b). The arrows in these diagrams represent
the direction of current in the complete circuit.
Series and Parallel circuits
• Series circuit: In a circuit, if appliances are connected in series, they all will
work together i.e., on opening the switches, all appliances will become
operative simultaneously. If any one appliance goes out of order, the rest of
the appliances also will not operate because the circuit then becomes
incomplete. Thus in a series circuit, the appliances in use are dependent upon
each other.
• Parallel circuit: When the circuit is in parallel, the appliances work
independently. If any one appliance goes out of order, the rest of the
appliances will not be affected. Every appliance when switched on works on
its own without the interruption of other appliances. Due to this reason, in our
household wiring system, all the circuits are in parallel. If we switch on a tube
light in a room, the fan and the other gadgets in the room are not disturbed.
Precautions to be taken before the circuit is
switched on
1. See that all the components of the circuit are properly connected.
2. See that the connecting wire is tightly connected to each appliance.
3. Do not touch the switch or any component with wet hands.
4. See that the connecting wire is nowhere naked, it should be properly
insulated everywhere.
5. See that the source of electricity is properly joined.