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Chapter 3 : Electromagnetism

2.1 Electromagnet

A. What is an electromagnet?

 An electromagnet is a temporary magnet made by winding a coil of

insulated wire round a soft iron core. The magnetic effect produced can
be set on and off by a current passing through a coil.
 When a current flows through a conductor, it produces a magnetic field.
The shape of the magnetic field depends on the shape of the conductor.

B. What is a magnetic field?

 Magnetic field is a region where magnetic materials experience force.

 The magnetic field pattern can be traced by using iron filling sprinkled
around the current carrying conductor.
 Compass is used to determine the direction of the magnetic field.

C. To study the pattern and direction of magnetic field due to a current in

Straight wire

 The magnetic field around a straight wire carrying current is circular and
at right angle to the wire.
 In the diagram below :
 Plot the magnetic field lines around a straight wire carrying current and
draw the direction of the compass needle.
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 The magnetic field is the strongest when close to the wire.

 Increasing the current makes the magnetic field stronger.
 Reversing the direction of the current will reverse the direction of field
lines, but the field pattern remains unchanged.
 The direction of the magnetic field can be determined using right hand
grip rule. Point your thumb upwards in the same direction as the current.
The direction of the field is the same as the direction in which your fingers
curl.

Current in downward direction Current in upward direction

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Coil

 The magnetic field around a straight wire is not very strong. A stronger
field can be made by using a circular coil.
 Plot the magnetic field lines and draw the direction of the compass
needle.

 At the center of the coil, the field lines are straight and at right angle to the
plane of the coil.
 Magnetic field is the strongest at the center of the coil as the field lines are
closer together.
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Solenoid

 A solenoid is a long coil made up of a number of turns of wire.

 When a current flows through the solenoid, each turn acts as a single coil
and produces a magnetic field.
 Plot the magnetic field lines and draw the direction of the compass
needle.

 Inside the solenoid, the field lines are straight and evenly spaced. This
indicated that the field is of uniform strength.
 Outside the solenoid, the field pattern is similar to that around a magnet,
with one end of the solenoid behaving like an N pole and the other end
like an S pole.
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D. How to determine the polarity of the solenoid

 The poles of the solenoid can be determined by using Right Hand Grip
Rule.

If the right hand grips the solenoid so that the fingers curl in the same
direction as the current, the thumb will point to the North pole of the
solenoid.

E. Factors affecting the strength of the magnetic field

Factor Explanation
Current

Number of turns

Presence of soft
iron core

F. How does an electric bell works?

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G. How does an electromagnet relay works?

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3.2 Force on a Current Carrying Conductor in a Magnetic Field

A. The relationship between the directions of the force on a current carrying

conductor in a magnetic field

What will happen to the short copper

wire when the switch is closed?
 The short copper wire will
move.

Explain your answer

 The force from the interaction between the magnadur magnetic field and
the magnetic field formed by the current carrying conductor causes the
short copper wire to move.

What will happen to the short copper wire if :

The direction of the current is reversed?
 The short copper wire will move in the opposite direction.
The polarity of the magnadur magnet is reversed?
 The short copper wire will opposite direction.

Explain what will happen to the short copper wire when the direction of the
current in the wire is parallel to the direction of the magnetic field
 The short copper wire does not move as there is no interacting force
produced.
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B. Catapult Field

Draw the magnetic field lines for each diagram

Explanation Diagram
The circular field lines due to
current in a straight wire.

The straight field lines due to

two magnadur magnet

The resultant magnetic field

or catapult field
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C. Fleming’s left-hand rule

 The force acting on the current carrying conductor is at right angles to

both the current direction and direction of the magnetic field.
 The direction fo the force can be determined by using Fleming’s left hand
rule
 If the current and the magnetic field are not perpendicular to each other,
the force produced is smaller. If the current is parallel to the magnetic
field, no force is produced.
 Apply Fleming’s left- hand rule to determine the direction of the force the
the following diagram

D. Factors affecting the magnitude of the current carrying conductor in a

magnetic field

Factors
1. The magnitude of the current
The larger the current, the larger the
force produced.
2. The strength of magnetic field
The stronger the magnetic field, the
larger the force produced
Methods
 Increase the e.m.f of power
supply
 Using thicker wire of the same
length
 Using shorter wire of the same
thickness
 Using many turns of wire
inside the magnetic field
 Using stronger magnets
 Placing the magnets closer to
each other to narrow the gap
between the poles of the
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magnet
E. The turning effect of a current carrying coil in a magnetic field

 The diagram shows a rectangular current carrying coil abcd placed

between the poles of a strong magnet
 Using Fleming’s left-hand rule, mark on the diagram with arrows to show
the direction of the forces that act on side ab and cd of the coil.
 Sketch the resultant field that is produced by the current carrying coil
 Mark the forces F acting on the coil that produces the turning effect.

 The turning of the coil can be increased by increasing

 The current
 The number of turns in the coil
 The area the coil
 The strength of the magnetic field
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F. Direct Current Motor

Explanation Diagram
 The diagram illustrates the
structure of a simple d.c
motor.
 In the diagram, label the
components (i), (ii), (iii) and
(iv). (i)
 Show the direction of the (ii)
current flowing the coil and (iii)
the direction of motion of the (iv)
coil
Working principle
 When the current flows
through the loop, a downward
force would act on the right-
hand side cd, and the upward
force on the left-hand side ab.
 The loop would then rotate
clockwise until it reaches the
vertical position. The current
is now cut off but the inertia of
the loop causes the coil to
continue to rotate.

 This reverses the current in

the wire arm cd and an
upward force acts on it. A
downward force acts on the
other wire arm ab. Hence the
loop continues to move in
clockwise direction.
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 The function of the

commutator is to reverse the
direction of the current in the
loop whenever the
commutator changes contact
from one brush to other. This
ensures that the loop will
always be turning in one
direction.

G. Factors that affecting the speed of rotation of a direct motor

The speed of rotation of a d.c motor depends on:

 The number of turns of the wire loop

 The size of current or voltage supplied to the coil
 The strength o the magnetic field
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3.3 Electromagnetic Induction

A. Electromagnetic Induction in a straight wire

The following shows a series of activity to study electromagnetic induction in a

straight wire.

Activity Deflection of Inference

galvanometer’s pointer
Copper wire is moved quickly The pointer of the There is a current
upwards galvanometer is deflected flow in the wire.
to one side.

Copper wire is moved quickly The pointer of the This shows that
downwards galvanometer is deflected there is a current
to the opposite side. flow in the opposite
direction.

Copper wire is moved quickly The pointer does not This shows that no
horizontally parallel with the deflect. current flows in the
magnet wire.

Copper wire is moved quickly The pointer does not This shows that no
parallel with the magnetic deflect. current flows in the
field lines wire
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B. Electromagnetic Induction in a solenoid

The following activity is to investigate electromagnetic induction a solenoid

Activity Observation Inference

Bar magnet is pushed The pointer of the There is a current flow
quickly into the solenoid galvanometer is in the wire.
deflected to one side.
Bar magnet is pulled The pointer of the This shows that there is
quickly out from the galvanometer is a current flow in the
solenoid deflected to the opposite opposite direction.
side.
Bar magnet is allowed to No deflection is This shows that no
stay stationary inside observed. current flows in the
the solenoid wire.
The solenoid is moved The pointer of the There is a current flow
quickly towards the bar galvanometer is in the wire.
magnet deflected to one side.
The solenoid is moved The pointer is deflected Current flows in the
quickly away from the to the opposite side . opposite direction.
bar magnet

C. Definition and the direction of the induced current

 Electromagnetic induction is the phenomenon of inducing an e.m.f across

the wire by cutting the magnetic field or changing the magnetic field of
the wire.
 For wire cutting through a magnetic field, the direction of the induced
current can be determined by using Fleming’s Right Hand rule.
 For the solenoid, the polarity of the ends of the solenoid can be
determined by using Lenz’s Law.
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D. Fleming’s Right hand-rule

E. Laws of electromagnetic induction

Faraday’s Law  The magnitude of the induced e.m.f is directly

proportional to the rate of change of the
magnetic field.

Lenz’s Law  The direction of the induced current is such that

the change producing it will be opposed.
 Lenz’s law is an example of the Principle of
Conservation of Energy; work is done to move
the wire against the opposing force. Therefore,
mechanical energy is converted to electrical
energy.

Factors that affect the  The induced e.m.f or induced current can be
magnitude of induced increased by
current  Moving the wire/ coil / magnet faster
 Using stronger magnet or magnetic field
 Increasing number of turns of the coil
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F. Application for Lenz’s Law

Activity Inference
Induced current produces a North pole to
oppose the motion of the magnet coming
towards the solenoid.

Induced current produces a South pole to

attract the magnet that is moving away
from the solenoid
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G. Application of electromagnetic induction

Direct Current Generator

Structure  A d.c generator consists of a coil mounted on an axle

between the poles of a magnet. The ends of the coil
are fixed to a split ring known as commutator. Two
carbon brushes are pressed against the commutator
connecting the coil to the outside circuit.
Working principle

 No induced e.m.f is produced when the coil is in

vertical position. The coil does not cut the magnetic
field
 When the coil moves from vertical to horizontal
position in the first quarter rotation, the coil cuts the
magnetic field . Induced current is produced in the
coil and flows to the outside circuit through carbon
brushes from the right to left.
 In the second quarter rotation, the coil is back to
vertical position and no induced current is produced.
 In the third quarter rotation, the coil moves from
vertical to horizontal position. The coil cuts the
magnetic field and flows out once again carbon
brushes in the same direction through the carbon
brushes from right to left in the outside circuit.
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 Every time the coil passes through the vertical

position, the commutator reverses the connections
of the coil with the outside circuit. Therefore, the
current in the outside circuit always flows in the
same direction.
Output Direct
Current Graph
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Alternating Current Generator

Structure  An a.c generator consists of a coil mounted on an axle

between the poles of a magnet. The ends of the coil are fixed
to two copper slip rings, which rotate with the coil. Two
carbon brushes are pressed against the slip rings which
connect them to the outside circuit.
Working
principle

 The working principle is more or less the same as the d.c

generator. When the coil is rotated, an alternating e.m.f is
induced.
 This causes an a.c to flow through the outside circuit.
 Each slip ring is in contact with the same carbon brush. This
will cause the induced current from the coil to flow to and
fro in the opposite direction in the outside circuit.
 The frequency of an a.c generator is always the same as the
frequency of rotation of the coil.
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Output
Alternating
Current
Graph

 The current is positive in one direction and negative in the

other direction.
 The current is the greatest when the coil is at horizontal as
the coil cuts through the field lines more rapidly.
 The current is zero when the coil is at vertical as the coil
does not cut through any field lines.

H. Direct current and alternating current

Direct Current Alternating Current

The current that flows in one
direction only and has a constant
magnitude.
The current that flows in two opposite
direction alternately. The direction of
current flowing in a circuits
constantly being reversed back and
forth.
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3.4 Transformer

A. Structure and operating principle of a transformer

Structure

 A transformer is made up of two coils wound on

a soft iron core.
 The coil which connected to a.c input power
supply is the primary coil while other coil is
known as the secondary coil.
Working principle

 When the switch is closed, the primary coil

behaves like an electromagnet. The field lines
builds up rapidly, go around the coil and out
through the secondary coil.
 An e.m.f is induced and drives a current through
the secondary coil. The galvanometer pointer is
deflected momentarily to one side.
 According to Lenz’s law, the current flows in
such a direction as to oppose the build up of the
field lines.
 When the current becomes steady, the field lines
stay unchanged and no e.m.f is induced. The
galvanometer pointer returns to zero.
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B. Types of Transformer

Step-up transformer Step-down transformer

 The number of turns of the  The number of turns of the

secondary coil is more than that secondary coil is less than that
in primary coil in the primary coil


 The induced output voltage in  The induced output voltage in

the secondary coil is greater the secondary coil is smaller
than the input voltage than the input voltage


 The induced output current in  The induced output current in

the secondary coil is larger than the secondary coil is smaller
the input current the input current


 The function is used to increase  The function is used to

the input voltage. decrease the input voltage.
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C. Relationship between number of turns of the coil and voltage.

Example

A 12 V bulb lights up with normal brightness when it is connected to a 240 V

main supply through a transformer which has 600 turns in its primary coil. What
is the number of turns in its secondary coil?

D. Relationship between output power and input power of an ideal transformer

E. Stepping down the voltage will increase the current

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Example

A transformer has 3300 turns in its primary coil and is used to operate a 12 V 24
W lamp from the 220 V a.c supply.

Assuming that there is no power loss in the transformer, find

(a) the number of turns in the secondary coil

(b) the current in the secondary coil

(c) the current in the primary coil


F. Energy loss in a transformer
Cause of energy loss in transformer
 The heating effect due to
current passing through the
coils
 The heating effect due to eddy
current induced in the iron core
 Energy loss due to
magnetisation and
demagnetisation of iron core
 Leakage of magnetic flux
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Structure of transformer to reduce
energy loss
 Using thicker wire made of a
good conductor like copper as
wire coils
 Using laminated core made up
of thin iron sheets glued
together with thin layer
insulation between them to
reduce eddy current
 Using soft iron for the core as
soft iron loses almost all its
magnetism when it is
demagnetized. Soft iron
requires little energy to be
magnetized.
 Leakage of magnetic flux can be
reduced by winding the
secondary coil and primary coil
on top of each other.
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G. Efficiency of a transformer

Example

Diagram shows a transformer. Calculate the efficiency of the transformer.

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3.5 Generation and Transmission of Electricity

A. Electricity transmission

 In the power station, the large dynamo is driven by the turbines

 A.c is generated because a.c voltage can easily be increased or decreased
by transformer with small loss of power.
 Transformers at the power station increase the voltage before power is
transmitted. Transformers at the substations then decrease the voltage in
stages before the power is supplied to the home, offices and factories.
 In the transmission of electrical power, it is important to reduce the
energy loss caused by heating effect in the transmission cable.

Example

In a model of power station, electrical power is transmitted to consumers using a

power transmission cable with a total resistance of 2 ohm. The power station
generates 1500 W of electricity.

(a) If the power is transmitted at 12 V, calculate the power wasted in the

transmission cable

(b) If the power is transmitted at 240 V, what would be the power wasted in the
transmission cable?
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B. National Grid Network

National Grid Network  A network of cables connects all the power

stations in the country to the consumers
Operation  The output voltage from a generator which is
usually about 25 kV is increased by a step-up
transformer to as high as 132 kV before being
supplied to the National Grid Network.
 For domestic use, this voltage is far too high.
A series of step down transformers at a
regional substation reduces the voltage from
132 kV to 450 V in stages.
 The 450 V is then transmitted to small local
transformer where it is decreased to 240 V
before being supplied to the consumers.
 Some industries or buildings that require
higher voltage supplies will be provided
accordingly.
Advantage  When there is a breakdown, the flow of
current can be controlled and current can still
be transmitted to other places. This will
reduce the disruption of power supply and
make it more reliable.
 Smaller and less efficient stations can be
closed down during off-peak period to cut
cost.
 Repairs and maintenance can be carried out
in certain stations without disrupting the
power supply to consumers.
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Example

A power station generates 5 MW of electric power at a voltage of 25 kV. The

voltage is stepped up to 132 kV before being supplied to the National Grid
Network.

(a) What is the ratio Np: Ns of the transformer used?

(b) If the resistance of the cable is 1.0 ohm per km, calculate the power loss due
to the 500 km length of transmission cable.