Physics P20:

Electromagnetic forces
Circuit symbols
electromagnet
● can be made by passing a current through a coil of wire
● the flow of current results in a magnetic field around the solenoid
the right-hand grip rule (solenoid)
● tells you the direction of the field lines
● the further away from the wire, the weaker is the field
Comparing magnetic fields

Current in a wire Current in a solenoid

field lines: circles around the wire field lines: close together at the poles of the
electromagnet

further in the wire are further apart-weaker further in the wire are further apart-weaker

greater current, the stronger the field so inside the coil the field runs parallel =
lines will be closer together strength is uniform (strength is constant)

Increasing the current=stronger field

reversing the current is possible and it reverses the field

Motor
● coil of wire - acts as the electromagnet
when a current flows through it
● two(2) magnets, to provide steady
magnetic field passing through the coil
● split-ring commutator - through which
current reaches the coil
● two(2) brushes (springy wires) that
press against the two (2) metal sections
of the commutator
How motor works
the commutator cleverly
reverses the current every
half-turn
*there are two (2)
magnetic fields in an
electric motor: the field of
The permanent magnets
and the field of the
current-carrying coil
Force on a current-carrying conductor
basic requirements:

● a magnetic field
● A current flowing

across the magnetic field

Fleming’s left-hand rule
magnetic field - vertical

current and force - horizontal & at right

angles
Electromagnetism videos:

https://youtu.be/79_SF5AZtzo

motor effect

https://youtu.be/ltpPhpi-CC4