4.

MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETIC EFFECT OF CURRENTS

Introduction:
In olden days, electricity and magnetism were treated as separate subjects. In 1820, Oersted realized
that the electricity and magnetism were intimately related. Oersted discovered that a current flowing through
a conductor deflects magnetic compass needle kept near the conductor. Oersted concluded that the compass
deflection was due to the magnetic field produced around the current carrying conductor. Ampere supported
this observation by saying that electric charges in motion produce magnetic fields. Michael Faraday showed
that moving magnets or changing magnetic field generate electricity. Maxwell unified the laws of electricity
and magnetism and developed a new subject called electromagnetism. The magnetism due to the electric
current in a conductor is electromagnetism.
Magnetic field:
Magnetic field is the region in which magnetic effects can be observed. Moving charged particles are
the sources of magnetic field.

Magnetic field (or) magnetic field strength is a vector quantity. It is denoted by B . Conventionally, a
current (or) magnetic field (or) electric field coming out of the plane of the paper is depicted by ⨀ (a circle
with dot) and the current (or) the field going into the plane of the paper is depicted by  (a circle with cross
mark)
Oersted's experiment leading to the discovery of magnetic effect of current:

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Oersted experiments showed that the electric and magnetic phenomena are related to each other.
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Oersted found that the magnetic compass needle placed near the current carrying wire gets deflected. He also
found that the magnetic compass needle is aligned tangentially to an imaginary circle which has a straight wire
as its centre and has its plane perpendicular to the wire.
Figure-2 shows the orientations of the magnetic current emerges out of the plane of the paper.
Figure-3 shows the orientation of the magnetic current moves into the plane of the paper.
He also found that the iron filings sprinkled around the current carrying wire, arrange themselves in concentric
circles with the wire as the centre in the plane perpendicular to the wire as shown in the figure-4.
Conclusion of the experiment:
A current carrying conductor produces magnetic field.
Nature of magnetic field due to a straight long current carrying wire:
A current carrying straight wire produces magnetic field around it.
Magnetic force:
It is the force experienced by the moving charged particles or a current
carrying wire in a magnetic field.
Lorentz force:
It is the resultant force experienced by the charged particle moving in a region where both magnetic
and electric fields are present.
( )
   
Lorentz force = Electric force + Magnetic force In vector form F = q E + v  B
 F = qE + Bqv sin  where q is the magnitude of charge, E is the electric field, B is the magnetic
field, v is the velocity of charged particle,  is the angle between directions of B and v.
Lorentz force when electric field (E), magnetic field (B) and velocity of charged particle are in the same
direction:
We have F = qE + Bqv sin  ------- (1)

Dr. Sankara Rao Gattu, (9949435575) Page 1

Where q is the magnitude of charge, E is the electric field, B is the magnetic field and v is the velocity of
charged particle.
 is the angle between directions of B and v. In this case,  = 0 o or180 o Eq (1)
 F = qE due to the electric field, speed, momentum and kinetic energy of the
charged particle will change.
Lorentz force when electric field (E), magnetic field (B) and velocity of charged
particle are in the perpendicular to each other:
We have, F = qE + Bqv sin  ------- (1)
In this case, electric and magnetic forces are in opposite directions (Fleming’s left
hand rule). Here  = 90 o  F = qE + Bqv
Force acting on a charged particle moving in uniform magnetic Field:
( )
   
F = q v  B ---- (1) where, v is velocity of the charged particle,

B is magnetic field, q is magnitude of the charge.
(1)  F = q v B sin 
Special cases:
Case -1: The force is maximum when  = 90o ( Fmaximum = Bqv)
Case–2: The force is minimum when  = 0o ( Fminimum = 0)
 
The direction of force is perpendicular to the plane containing v and B which is obtained by Flemings
left hand rule. The direction of magnetic force acting on the negatively charged particle is opposite to the force
acting on the positively charged particle.
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Magnetic field:
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F = q v B sin  if q = 1 unit, v= 1 unit,  = 90o then B = F

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Magnetic field is the force experienced by unit positive charge moving with unit velocity perpendicular
to the direction of magnetic field.
Its SI unit is tesla (T)
Tesla: Consider F = Bqv sin  ,
If q =+1 coulomb, v = 1m/s,  = 90o. F = 1N, then B = 1T.
The magnetic field strength is said to be 1 tesla, if 1 coulomb of charge moving with a velocity of 1
m/s perpendicular to the magnetic field experiences a force of 1N.
When the charged particle moves parallel to the magnetic field, the magnetic force is zero. Therefore,
the charged particle will continue to move along a straight line.
Force experienced by a current carrying conductor placed in uniform magnetic field:
Consider a conducting wire of the length is l placed in uniform magnetic field B. Let I is the current in
the wire which is due to the flow of electrons,
The magnetic force acting on the charged particles is given by,
F = Bqv sin  --------- (1)
Where, B is the magnetic field, q is magnitude of charge, v is the
velocity of the charged particle,
 is an angle between the directions of B and v.
l
The velocity of charges in a wire, v = ------ (2)
t
where t is the time in which the charge q flows through the wire.
l
(2) in (1)  F = Bq sin   F = BIl sin 
t

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 = Angle between the directions of length vector and magnetic field.
( )
 
In vector form F = I l  B
Special cases:
Case-1: The force is maximum when  = 90o
Case-2: The force is minimum when  = 0o
Factors on which the force acting on a conductor carrying current placed in the magnetic field:
1) Length of the conductor,
2) Current in the conductor,
3) Magnetic field strength in which the conductor is placed,
 
4) Angle between l and B
Note:
1. The path of a charged particle moving along the uniform electric field is straight path.
2. The path of a charged particle moving perpendicular to uniform electric field is parabolic path.
3. The path of a charged particle moving along the uniform magnetic field is Straight path.
4. The path of a charged particle moving perpendicular to uniform magnetic field is circular path.
5. The path of a charged particle in uniform magnetic field with initial velocity at an angle between 0 o
and 90o with the magnetic field direction is helical path.
6. The value of force experienced by a neutron moving in electric/magnetic field along/perpendicular to
the field is zero.
7. The path of a neutron moving in uniform electric/magnetic field along/perpendicular to the field is
Straight path
NP 1: A straight wire of mass 200 g and length 1.5 m carries a current
of 2 A. It is suspended in mid-air by a uniform horizontal magnetic field
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B. What is the magnitude of the magnetic field?

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Solution: From 𝐹⃗ = 𝑖(𝑙⃗ × 𝐵

⃗⃗ ) we find that there is an upward force F,
of magnitude ilB,. For mid-air suspension, this must be balanced by
the force due to gravity:
𝑚𝑔
mg = ilB ⟹ 𝐵 = = 0.65 T
𝑖𝑙

Note that it would have been sufficient to specify m/l, the mass per unit length of the wire. The earth’s
magnetic field is approximately 4×10–5 T and we have ignored it.
NP 2: If the magnetic field is parallel to the positive y-axis and the charged
particle is moving along the positive x-axis, which way would the Lorentz force
be for (a) an electron (negative charge), (b) a proton (positive charge).
Solution: The velocity 𝑣⃗ of particle is along the x-axis, while B, the magnetic
⃗⃗ is along the z-axis (screw rule or right-hand
field is along the y-axis, so 𝑣⃗ × 𝐵
thumb rule). So, (a) for electron it will be along –z axis. (b) for a positive charge
(proton) the force is along +z axis.
Circular motion of charge in uniform magnetic field:
When a charged particle of charge q moves perpendicular to the uniform
magnetic field B, it moves in a circular path of radius r with angular frequency
 with speed v due to the magnetic force. Then
Centripetal force = magnetic force
2
mv mv mv Bq
=Bvq  r= We have, v =  r  v =   =
r Bq Bq m

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 The time taken by the charged particle to complete a circle in the magnetic field is time period of
charged particle.
Distance traveled by the charged particle
Speed of the charged particle =
Time period
2 r 2  r 2   mv  2 m
 v=  T= =    T = ----- (2)
T v v  Bq Bq
The number of circles completed by the charged particle in one second is frequency of the charged particle
moving in the magnetic field
We have,
1 1 Bq
Frequency =  f =  f = ----- (3)
Time period T 2 m
From the equations (2) and (3), it is c that T and f depends on B and specific charge q/m.
But T and f do not depend on the speed of charged particle and the radius of the circular path described by the
charged particle.
The magnetic force is always perpendicular to the direction of motion of the charged particle. Hence
work done on the charged particle by the magnetic force is zero.
When the charged particle is moving in uniform magnetic field with initial velocity at an angle between
0 and 90o with the magnetic field direction. Then the charged particle traces a helical path. The component v
o

cos  is along the direction of B and v sin  is perpendicular to the direction of B

When the charged particle moves along the magnetic field, it does
not experience any force and hence it moves with constant velocity v cos
 . The velocity component v sin  is perpendicular to the direction of B
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and hence the charged particle experiences a force. Under this force, the
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charged particle tries to move in a circular path in a plane perpendicular

the magnetic field. Due to the combined effect of v cos  and v sin  , the
resultant path of the particle is a helix with its axis parallel to the magnetic
field. The centripetal force required to move the charged particle in a helical path is provided by the magnetic
Lorentz force.
Radius of helix:
Here, centripetal force = magnetic force
m(v sin  ) mv sin  p sin 
2
= Bqv sin   r =  r= -------- (1)
r Bq Bq
Where, m is the mass of the charged particle, p is the momentum of the charged particle
From the equation (1), it is clear that r is larger when p and are larger
Time period of charged particle:
It is the time taken by the charged particle to complete a circle in the magnetic field,
Distance travelled by the charged particle
Speed of the charged particle =
Time period
2𝜋𝑟 2r 2  mv sin   mv sin 
𝑣𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = T = =   r =
𝑇 v sin  v sin   Bq  Bq
2m
T = -------------------- (2)
Bq
frequency of the charged particle:
1 1 Bq
We have, frequency =  f =  f = -------------------- (3)
Time period T 2m

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From the equations (2) and (3) it is clear that T and f depends on B and specific charge (q/m). But T and f do
not depend on and the radius of the helix described by the charged particle.
Angular velocity (or) angular frequency:
We have angular velocity,
Bq Bq
 = 2f   = 2  = ------------------- (4)
2m m
from equation (4), it is clear that  and depends on B and specific charge q/m. But  do not depend on the
linear velocity of the charged particle.
Pitch of the helix:
It is the linear distance moved by the charged particle along the magnetic field in one rotation in the
helical motion.
We have, distance traveled = velocity  time
 Pitch of the helix = velocity along B  time period
2m 2m
 p = v cos   T  p = v cos   T =
Bq Bq
Note:
1. A charge at rest experience no magnetic force.
2. An electron does not suffer any deflection while passing through a region of uniform magnetic field
when the direction of the magnetic field is parallel or antiparallel to the direction of motion of the
electron.
3. It is not possible to set a resting electron into motion with a magnetic field. But it is possible to set a
resting electron into motion with an electric field.
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NP 3: What is the radius of the path of an electron (mass 9 ×10-31kg and charge 1.6×10–19 C) moving at a
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speed of 3×107 m/s in a magnetic field of 6 ×10–4 T perpendicular to it? What is its frequency? Calculate its
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energy in keV. ( 1 eV = 1.6 ×10–19 J).

𝑚𝑣
Solution: Using 𝑟 = = 28 cm
𝐵𝑞
𝑣
Frequency 𝜈 = 2𝜋𝑟 = 17×106 s–1 =17 MHz.

E = (1/2)mv2 = 40.5×10–17 J ≈ 4×10–16 J = 2.5 keV.

TP 11: In a chamber, a uniform magnetic field of 6.5 G (1 G = 10–4 T) is maintained. An electron is shot into
the field with a speed of 4.8 ×106 m s–1 normal to the field. Explain why the path of the electron is a circle.
Determine the radius of the circular orbit.
(e = 1.5 ×10–19 C, me = 9.1×10–31 kg)
TP 12: In Exercise 11 obtain the frequency of revolution of the electron in its circular orbit. Does the answer
depend on the speed of the electron? Explain.
Current element:
It is an infinitesimally small portion of current carrying conducting wire.
Biot-Savart's Law:
Consider a current carrying wire XY, I is the current in the wire, dl is the length
of a current element, dB is the magnetic field due to current element, P is the point at
which dB is to be calculated, r is the distance between current element and p,  is the
angle between the directions of dl and r.
Statement:
The magnitude of magnetic field dB at the point P is,
1. directly proportional to the current flowing through the current element,
Dr. Sankara Rao Gattu, (9949435575) Page 5
 2. directly proportional to the length of the current element,
3. directly proportional to sin  ,
4. inversely proportional to the square of the distance between P and the current element.
On combining all the four factors, we get
I dl sin  I dl sin 
dB  2
 dB = k -------------- (1)
r r2
where K is the proportionality constant and its value depends on the medium in which
the conductor is placed and the system of units used for measurement.
  I dl sin 
For free space (or) air (or) vacuum k = o then Eq (1)  dB = o
4 4 r2
where  o is the permeability of free space.
If  = 0 o the point lies on the axis of linear conductor carrying current, sin 0 o = 0  dB = 0 i.e dB is
minimum
 I dl
If  = 90 o the point lies on the perpendicular position to the conductor, sin 9 0 o =1  dB = o 2
4 r
i.e dB is maximum.

In vector form dB =
( ) 
 o I dl  r
4 r3
The direction of magnetic field dB is always normal to the plane containing the current element and the point
at which the field is to be measured. The direction can be found using right hand thumb rule.
Limitations:
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1. Biot-Savart’s law is valid for symmetric current distribution.

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2. It is applicable only for current element.

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3. The small current element cannot be obtained practically. Therefore, Biot-Savart’s law cannot be
verified practically.
Clock rule:
1. The face of the coil behaves as N-pole when the current flow through it is in the
anti-clockwise direction.
2. The face of the coil behaves as S-pole, when the current flow through it is in the
clockwise direction.
Rules to find the direction of magnetic field due to a straight current carrying wire:
Ampere's right hand grip rule (or) Right hand palm rule (or) Right hand thumb rule:
If a straight current carrying wire is imagined to be gripped in the right hand fist such that the
outstretched thumb pointing in the direction of current in the wire, then the curled fingers indicates the
direction of magnetic field.
Note:
1. An electron beam is moving vertically downwards. If it passes through a magnetic field which is
directed from south to north in a horizontal plane, then the direction the beam would be deflected
towards west.
2. A proton moving in a straight line enters a strong magnetic
field along the field direction. Then the path and velocity
change of proton will remain unaffected.
Magnetic field at any point on the axis of a circular current loop
by applying Biot-Savart’s law:
Consider a circular loop with radius R, I current is passing
through it. P is the point on the axis of the loop at a distance x from

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its centre O. dl is the length of the current element, r is the distance between P and the current element at Q,
 is the angle between the axis and the direction of dB.

Biot-savart's law in vector form, dB = o

(
 I dl  r

)
4 r3
 I dl sin 
The magnitude of dB is given by, dB = o where  is the angle between the directions of dl and r.
4 r2
 I dl
Here  = 90o  sin90o = 1 dB = o 2 ------ (1)
4 r
The magnetic field dB is resolved into two components along X and Y axes. Y-components of dB will be
vanished. But X-components of dB are added up.
 Magnetic field at P due to the loop,
i.e. B =  dB cos  ----- (2)
 o I dl o I
(1) in (2) B =  cos   B= cos   dl ------ (3)
4 r 2 4 r 2
R
From triangle POQ, cos  = ------- (4)
r
 dl = circumference of the loop = 2R ------- (5)
o I R  o 2IR 2
(4) and (5) in (3)  B = 2R  B = ------ (6)
4 r 2 r 4 r 3
In triangle POQ, r 2 = R 2 + x 2 (
 r = R2 + x2 ) 1
2
and r 3 = (R 2 + x 2 )
3
2
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 o 2IR 2  o 2NIR 2
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 Eq. (6)  B = For a thin coil of N turns, B =

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4 (R 2 + x 2 )3 2 4 (R 2 + x 2 )3 2
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Note:
1. Magnetic field lines due to current loop
2. The variation of magnetic field with distance from centre of circular loop
carrying current.
The magnetic field at the centre of the circular loop is maximum and
decreases with increase in the distance on either side. This magnetic field is
non-uniform.
 I
3. magnetic field at the center of a circular loop, B = o (x =0)
2R
 NI
4. magnetic field at the center of a circular coil, B = o (N =number of turns)
2R
NP 4: An element ∆𝑙⃗ = ∆𝑥𝑖̂ is placed at the origin and carries a large current i = 10 A. What is the magnetic
field on the y axis at a distance of 0.5 m. ∆𝑥 = 1 cm.
Solution:
𝜇𝑜 𝑖 𝑑𝑙 sin 𝜃
|𝑑𝐵| = = 4 ×10–8 T here 𝑑𝑙 = ∆𝑥 and 𝜃 = 90𝑜
4𝜋 𝑟2

The direction of the field is in the +z-direction. This is so since,

⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑙 × 𝑟⃗ = ∆𝑥𝑖̂ × 𝑦𝑗̂ = 𝑦∆𝑥(𝑖̂ × 𝑗̂) = 𝑦∆𝑥𝑘̂

Dr. Sankara Rao Gattu, (9949435575) Page 7

NP 5: A straight wire carrying a current of 12 A is bent into
a semi-circular arc of radius 2.0 cm as shown in Fig.(a).
Consider the magnetic field B at the centre of the arc. (a)
What is the magnetic field due to the straight segments? (b)
In what way the contribution to B from the semicircle differs
from that of a circular loop and in what way does it
resemble? (c) Would your answer be different if the wire were bent into a semi-circular arc of the same radius
but in the opposite way as shown in Fig (b)?
Solution:

(a) ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑙 and 𝑟⃗ for each element of the straight segments are parallel. Therefore, ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑑𝑙 × 𝑟⃗ = 0. Straight segments do
not contribute to |B|.
⃗⃗⃗⃗ × 𝑟⃗ are all parallel to each other (into the plane of the paper).
(b) For all segments of the semi-circular arc, 𝑑𝑙
All such contributions add up in magnitude. Hence direction of 𝐵 ⃗⃗ for a semi-circular arc is given by the right-
hand rule and magnitude is half that of a circular loop. Thus B is 1.9×10–4 T normal to the plane of the paper
going into it.
(c) Same magnitude of B but opposite in direction to that in (b).
NP 6: Consider a tightly wound 100 turn coil of radius 10 cm, carrying a current of 1 A. What is the magnitude
of the magnetic field at the centre of the coil?
Solution: Since the coil is tightly wound, we may take each circular element to have the same radius R = 10
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cm = 0.1 m. The number of turns N = 100. The magnitude of the magnetic field is,
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𝜇𝑜 𝑁𝑖
𝐵= = 2π ×10-4 = 6.28 ×10−4 T
2𝑅

TP 1: A circular coil of wire consisting of 100 turns, each of radius 8.0 cm carries a current of 0.40 A. What
⃗⃗ at the centre of the coil?
is the magnitude of the magnetic field 𝐵
Right hand thumb rule (or) Right hand palm rule for magnetic field:
When the palm of right hand is curled around a circular wire with the fingers pointing in the direction
of current, the outstretched thumb indicates the direction of magnetic field.
Ampere's circuital law:
The line integral of magnetic field around any closed path in free space is equal to  o times the net

current enclosed by that path, ie  B • dl =  o I

where B is the magnetic field strength, dl is the infinitesimally small magnetic line element on the
closed path,  o is the permeability of free space and I is the net current enclosed by the closed path.
 
Here,  B • dl is the dot product of B and dl
 
  B • dl =  Bdl cos  where  is the angle between B and dl
Example: Here, I2 is opposite to I1 and I3
In the figure I1, I2 and I3 are the currents enclosed by the closed path.

From Ampere’s circuital law,  B • dl =  o (I 1 − I 2 + I 3 )
Magnetic field strength due to a straight current carrying wire by applying Ampere’s circuital law:
Consider a infinitely long straight wire XY. Let I is the current through the wire, P is the point at
perpendicular distance r from the wire, dl is the line element of Amperian loop, B is the magnetic field at P.

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Now a circle of radius r such that the wire is perpendicular to the plane of the circle and
passing through its centre is drawn. The direction of B is tangential to the circle at any
point on the circle.
From Ampere's circuital 1aw, we have

 • dl =  o I   Bdl cos =  o I
B

The directions of B and dl are same.   = 0o and cos0o = 1

 Bdl =  o I  B  dl =  o I
o I
B (Length of the circle) =  o I  B  2r =  o I  B =
2r
NP 7: Figure shows a long straight wire of a circular cross-section
(radius a) carrying steady current I. The current I is uniformly
distributed across this cross-section. Calculate the magnetic field in the
region r < a and r > a.
Solution: (a) Consider the case r > a. The Amperian loop, labelled 2,
is a circle concentric with the cross-section. For this loop, L = 2 π r
Ie = Current enclosed by the loop = I
The result is the familiar expression for a long straight wire
𝑜 𝜇 𝑖 1
B (2 π r) = 𝜇𝑜 I ⟹ 𝐵= 2πr ⟹𝐵∝ (r > a)
r
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(b) Consider the case r < a. The Amperian loop is a circle labelled 1. For this loop, taking the radius of the
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circle to be r, L = 2 π r
Now the current enclosed Ie is not I, but is less than this value. Since the current distribution is uniform, the
current enclosed is,
𝜋𝑟 2 𝐼𝑟 2
𝐼𝑒 = 𝐼 (𝜋𝑎2 ) = 𝑎2

𝐼𝑟 2 𝜇 𝐼𝑟
𝑜
Using Ampere’s law, B(2πr) = 𝜇𝑜 ⟹ 𝐵 = 2𝜋𝑎 2 ⟹ 𝐵 ∝ 𝑟 (r < a)
𝑎2

Figure shows a plot of the magnitude of B with distance r from the

centre of the wire. The direction of the field is tangential to the
respective circular loop (1 or 2) and given by the right-hand rule
described earlier in this section.
This example possesses the required symmetry so that Ampere’s law can be applied readily.
⃗⃗ at a point 20 cm
TP 2: A long straight wire carries a current of 35 A. What is the magnitude of the field 𝐵
from the wire?
TP 3: A long straight wire in the horizontal plane carries a current of 50 A in north to south direction. Give
the magnitude and direction of 𝐵⃗⃗ at a point 2.5 m east of the wire.

TP 4: A horizontal overhead power line carries a current of 90 A in east to west direction. What is the
magnitude and direction of the magnetic field due to the current 1.5 m below the line?
Solenoid:
It is a cylindrical coil made of a large number of turns of insulated conducting wire.

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 Each turn of wire in the solenoid can be considered as circular loop, When the current flows through
the solenoid, the net magnetic field is said to be vector sum of the fields due to all the turns. A solenoid is said
to be long if its length is large compared to its radius.
Ideal solenoid:
A solenoid is said to be ideal if its length is five times greater than its radius.
Magnetic field lines due to a current carrying solenoid:
The magnetic field lines due to solenoid
carrying current is found to be same as that due to
a bar magnet.
The  sign indicates the current
perpendicular to the plane of the paper and directed
inward. The ⊙ sign indicates the current
perpendicular to the plane of the paper and directed
outwards.
Magnetic field due to a current carrying solenoid by using Ampere's circuital law:
Let I be the current flowing through the long straight solenoid. Let P be an interior midpoint of the
solenoid. To apply Ampere's circuit law, draw a rectangular loop abcd passing through the point P. At the
point P, the magnetic field is uniform and parallel to the length of the solenoid.
Total current passing through the loop abcd:
Let n be the number of turns per unit length of the solenoid.
Therefore, the number of turns in the length L of the solenoid
= nL and
the total current passing through the loop abcd = nLI
y
m


de

 •dl =  o (net current

ca

B
tA

From Ampere's circuit law, we have

ris
Ch

abcd

enclosed by the loop abcd)


  B •dl =  o (nLI ) ---- (1)
abcd
    
But  B •dl =  B •dl +  B •dl +  B •dl +  B •dl ---------- (2)
abcd ab bc cd da

For the line ab:


 B •dl =  Bdl cos
ab ab
=  Bdl
ab
 = 0 o  cos 0 o = 1

= B  dl = BL ----- (3)
ab

For the line bc and da:

 
 • =  •dl =  Bdl cos = 0 ------ (4)  = 90  cos 90 = 0
o o
B dl B
bc da

For the line cd:


 •dl = 0 ------- (5)
cd
B  Near and outside the solenoid, B = 0

(3), (4) and (5) in (2)   B •dl = BL ------- (6)
abcd

On comparing (1) and (6), we get BL =  o nLI  B =  o nI

Variation of magnetic field with the distance from the centre of solenoid:
The magnetic field along the axis and inside the solenoid carrying
current is almost uniform and outside it non-uniform.

Dr. Sankara Rao Gattu, (9949435575) Page 10

NP 8: A solenoid of length 0.5 m has a radius of 1 cm and is made up of 500 turns. It carries a current of 5 A.
What is the magnitude of the magnetic field inside the solenoid?
500
Solution: The number of turns per unit length is, n = = 1000 turns/m
0.5

The length l = 0.5 m and radius r = 0.01 m. Thus, l/a = 50 i.e., l >> a.
Hence, we can use the long solenoid formula, namely,
B = 𝜇𝑜 𝑛𝐼= 4𝜋 ×10–7 ×103 ×5 = 6.28 ×10–3 T
TP 6: A 3.0 cm wire carrying a current of 10 A is placed inside a solenoid perpendicular to its axis. The
magnetic field inside the solenoid is given to be 0.27 T. What is the magnetic force on the wire?
TP 8: A closely wound solenoid 80 cm long has 5 layers of windings of 400 turns each. The diameter of the
solenoid is 1.8 cm. If the current carried is 8.0 A, estimate the magnitude of 𝐵 ⃗⃗ inside the solenoid near its
centre.
Fleming’s left hand rule:
If the fore finger, centre finger and the thumb of the left hand are stretched perpendicular to each other
such that the fore finger pointing in the direction of the magnetic field, the centre finger pointing in the
direction I the conductor, then the thumb indicates the direction of force acting
on the conductor.
Force between two straight parallel current carrying wires:
Consider two infinitely long straight parallel conductors X and Y. I1 and
I2 are the currents in the X and Y respectively,
y

d is the perpendicular distance between the conductors.

m
de
ca

 I
tA

Magnetic field due to the current I1 is given by, B1 = o 1 ------ (1)

ris
Ch

2d
The directions of B1 and B2 are found using right hand grasp rule. The conductor
Y lies in the magnetic field B1 and hence it experiences force.
The force on a segment l of conductor Y is given by,
F1 = B1 I 2 l sin   F = BIl sin 
 F1 = B1 I 2 l ------ (2)  = 90 o then sin 90 o = 1
 II l  II l
(1) in (2)  F1 = o 1 2 . Similarly, F2 = o 1 2
2d 2d
The directions of F1 and F2 are found using Fleming's left hand rule. X and Y are attracting each other when
the currents are in the same directions and repel each other when the currents are in opposite directions. F1
and F2 are the mutual forces. Therefore,
 II l
The force of attraction or the force of repulsion is given by, F = o 1 2
2d
F  I I F 4  10 −7 I 1 I 2 F 2  10 −7 I 1 I 2
Consider = o 1 2  =  =
l 2d l 2d l d
−7
If I1=I2=1 ampere and d= 1m, then F/l = 2 10 N / m
Definition of ampere:
ampere is the current which when flows parallel conductors separated by a distance 1 metre, placed in
free space, causes a force of 2 10 −7 N/m between them.
NP 9: The horizontal component of the earth’s magnetic field at a certain place is 3.0 ×10–5 T and the direction
of the field is from the geographic south to the geographic north. A very long straight conductor is carrying a
steady current of 1A. What is the force per unit length on it when it is placed on a horizontal table and the
direction of the current is (a) east to west; (b) south to north?

Dr. Sankara Rao Gattu, (9949435575) Page 11

Solution: 𝐹⃗ = 𝐼 𝑙⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗  F = IlB sin 𝜃
The force per unit length is f = F/l = I B sin 𝜃
(a) When the current is flowing from east to west, 𝜃 = 90°
Hence, f = I B = 1 ×3 ×10–5 = 3 ×10–5 N m–1
This is larger than the value 2×10–7 Nm–1 quoted in the definition of the ampere. Hence it is important to
eliminate the effect of the earth’s magnetic field and other stray fields while standardising the ampere.
The direction of the force is downwards. This direction may be obtained by the directional property of cross
product of vectors.
(b) When the current is flowing from south to north,
𝜃 = 0o  f = 0
Hence there is no force on the conductor
TP 5: What is the magnitude of magnetic force per unit length on a wire carrying a current of 8 A and making
an angle of 30º with the direction of a uniform magnetic field of 0.15 T?
TP 7: Two long and parallel straight wires A and B carrying currents of 8.0 A and 5.0 A in the same direction
are separated by a distance of 4.0 cm. Estimate the force on a 10 cm section of wire A.
A current loop behaves as a magnetic dipole:
y

Magnetic field is produced

m
de
ca

around a circular loop when current is

tA
ris
Ch

passed through it. When the current in

the loop is in clockwise direction, the
face of the loop behaves as S-pole.
When the current is in the anti-clockwise direction, the face of the loop behaves as N-pole. Hence, a current
carrying loop behaves as a magnetic dipole. The axis of the dipole is perpendicular to the plane of the loop.
Reasons to a current loop may be regarded as a magnetic dipole:
1) It experiences a torque when placed it in an external magnetic field,
2) It generates its own magnetic field.
Current carrying loop behaves as a magnetic dipole:
The electric field due to an electric dipole at a point on the axial line is given by,
1 2rp
E= ------ (1)
(
4 o r − a 2 2
2
)
where, p is the electric dipole moment,
r is the distance between the dipole and the point of observation.
1 2p
when, r  a , a2 can be neglected (1)  E = ------- (2)
4 o r 3
The magnetic field due to a circular loop at a point on the axial line is given by,
 2IR 2
B= o ------- (3)
(
4 x 2 + R 2 3 2 )
where, I is the current in the loop, R is the radius of the loop, x is the distance between the centre of
the loop and the point of observation.
when x >> R, x 2 + R 2  x 2 ,

Dr. Sankara Rao Gattu, (9949435575) Page 12

  o 2IR 2  o 2 IR 2  o 2 IA
(3)  B =  B = =  R 2 = A is area of the loop
4 (x 2 )3 2 4 x 3 4 x 3
 o 2m
B= --------- (4)
4 x 3
On comparison (2) and (4), it is observed that the m represents the magnetic dipole moment and is
given by, m = IA
Hence, the current carrying loop behaves as a magnetic dipole.
Magnetic dipole moment of current carrying coil:
Magnetic dipole moment is the product of current flowing through the loop and area of the loop. m = IA
Magnetic dipole moment of current carrying coil of N turns. m = NIA
 
In vector form, m = IA its SI unit is Am2.
Magnetic dipole moment is a vector quantity. Its direction is normal to the plane of the loop.
Torque acting on a current loop placed in uniform magnetic field:
Consider a rectangular conducting
loop PQRS of length l and breadth b placed in
a uniform magnetic field of strength B. Let I
be the current in the loop in anticlockwise
direction.
The forces FPS and FQR are equal in
magnitude but opposite in direction. Hence,
they cancel out and the loop does not
y

experience any net force and torque in the

m
de
ca

vertical direction.
tA
ris
Ch

The magnetic forces experienced by the sides

PQ and RS are given by,
FPQ = FRS = F = B I l sin 1
Here, 1 is the angle between the directions of B and l and 1 = 90 o  sin 90 o = 1
 F =BIl
These two equal and opposite forces having different lines of action form a couple which deflects the
coil. The moment of the deflecting couple is the deflecting torque.
Deflecting torque:
 D = Magnitude of either force  Perpendicular distance between the forces.
 D = B I l  OS ------- (1)
To find OS:
OS OS
From triangle POS in ftgure-2, sin  =  sin  =  OS = b sin  ------ (2)
PS b
Eq.(2) in (1)  D = B I l  b sin    D = B I A sin  l  b = A (Area of the loop)
  D = mB sin 
Where IA = m = magnetic dipole moment the loop and  is the angle between m and B.
  
In vector form,  = m  B
Special cases:
Case -1: The torque is maximum, when  = 90o (  max = mB)
Case -2: The torque is minimum, when  = 0o (  min = 0)
Gyro magnetic ratio of an electron:

Dr. Sankara Rao Gattu, (9949435575) Page 13

 magnetic dipole moment 
Gyro magnetic ratio = = l
angular momentum L
NP 10: A 100 turn closely wound circular coil of radius 10 cm carries a current of 3.2 A. (a) What is the field
at the centre of the coil? (b) What is the magnetic moment of this coil?
The coil is placed in a vertical plane and is free to rotate about a horizontal axis which coincides with its
diameter. A uniform magnetic field of 2T in the horizontal direction exists such that initially the axis of the
coil is in the direction of the field. The coil rotates through an angle of 90° under the influence of the magnetic
field. (c) What are the magnitudes of the torques on the coil in the initial and final position? (d) What is the
angular speed acquired by the coil when it has rotated by 90°? The moment of inertia of the coil is 0.1 kg m2.
Solution:
𝜇𝑜 𝑁𝑖
(a) we have 𝐵= Here, N = 100; I = 3.2 A, and R = 0.1 m. Hence, ⟹ 𝐵 = 2 ×10–3 T
2R

The direction is given by the right-hand thumb rule.

(b) The magnetic moment is given by m = N I A = N I 𝜋r2 = 10 A m2
The direction is once again given by the right-hand thumb rule.

(c) 𝜏 = |𝑚 ⃗⃗ | = m B sin 𝜃
⃗⃗⃗ × 𝐵

Initially, 𝜃 = 0. Thus, initial torque 𝜏𝑖 = 0. Finally, 𝜃 = 𝜋/2 (or 90º).

Thus, final torque 𝜏𝑓 = m B = 10 × 2 = 20 N m.
y
m
de
ca
tA

𝑑𝜔
(d) From Newton’s second law, 𝐼 = 𝑚𝐵 sin 𝜃
ris
Ch

𝑑𝑡

where I is the moment of inertia of the coil. From chain rule,

𝑑𝜔 𝑑𝜔 𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝜔
= = 𝜔
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝜃
𝑑𝜔
Using this, 𝐼 𝑑𝜃 𝜔 = 𝑚𝐵 sin 𝜃 ⟹ 𝐼𝜔 𝑑𝜔 = 𝑚𝐵 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜃

Integrating from 𝜃 = 0 to 𝜃 = 𝜋 /2,

𝜔 𝜋 /2 𝜔𝑓2 2𝑚𝐵 1/2
𝐼 ∫0 𝑓 𝜔 𝑑𝜔 = 𝑚𝐵 ∫0 sin 𝜃 𝑑𝜃 ⟹𝐼 = 𝑚𝐵 ⟹ 𝜔𝑓 = ( ) = 20 s-1
2 𝐼

NP 11: (a) A current-carrying circular loop lies on a smooth horizontal plane. Can a uniform magnetic field
be set up in such a manner that the loop turns around itself (i.e., turns about the vertical axis).
(b) A current-carrying circular loop is located in a uniform external magnetic field. If the loop is free to turn,
what is its orientation of stable equilibrium? Show that in this orientation, the flux of the total field (external
field + field produced by the loop) is maximum.
(c) A loop of irregular shape carrying current is located in an external magnetic field. If the wire is flexible,
why does it change to a circular shape?
Solution:

(a) No, because that would require 𝜏⃗ to be in the vertical direction. But 𝜏⃗ = I 𝐴⃗ × 𝐵 ⃗⃗ , and since 𝐴⃗ of the
⃗⃗.
horizontal loop is in the vertical direction, 𝜏 would be in the plane of the loop for any 𝐵

Dr. Sankara Rao Gattu, (9949435575) Page 14

(b) Orientation of stable equilibrium is one where the area vector 𝐴⃗ of the loop is in the direction of external
magnetic field. In this orientation, the magnetic field produced by the loop is in the same direction as external
field, both normal to the plane of the loop, thus giving rise to maximum flux of the total field.
(c) It assumes circular shape with its plane normal to the field to maximise flux, since for a given perimeter, a
circle encloses greater area than any other shape.
TP 9: A square coil of side 10 cm consists of 20 turns and carries a current of 12 A. The coil is suspended
vertically and the normal to the plane of the coil makes an angle of 30º with the direction of a uniform
horizontal magnetic field of magnitude 0.80 T. What is the magnitude of torque experienced by the coil?
TP 13: (a) A circular coil of 30 turns and radius 8.0 cm carrying a current of 6.0 A is suspended vertically in
a uniform horizontal magnetic field of magnitude 1.0 T. The field lines make an angle of 60° with the normal
of the coil. Calculate the magnitude of the counter torque that must be applied to prevent the coil from turning.
(b) Would your answer change, if the circular coil in (a) were replaced by a planar coil of some irregular
shape that encloses the same area? (All other particulars are also unaltered.)
Moving coil galvanometer:
It is a device used to detect/measure small currents in the electric circuits.
Principle:
When current carrying coil is placed in the uniform magnetic field, it experiences a torque.
Construction:
The galvanometer consists of a rectangular coil of
insulated copper wire wound on a non-magnetic frame. The coil
y

is pivoted between two concave poles of a powerful horse shoe

m
de
ca

magnet.
tA
ris
Ch

The concave pole pieces are used to provide radial

magnetic field. A soft iron cylinder is mounted at the center of the
coil without touching to it. This cylinder makes the field radial
and increases the strength of the magnetic field. A spring is
connected to the coil which provides required torsion to the coil.
A light, long pointer is attached to the coil. Its free end moves
over the graduated scale.
Radial magnetic field:
The concave cylindrical pole pieces of the magnet and the soft iron cylinder used in the galvanometer
are makes the magnetic field radial and the field always remain parallel to the plane of the coil. Thus the limb
of the coil always cuts the magnetic field lines at right angles. The magnitude of the torque acting on the coil
is same in all positions of the coil. This makes the scale of the instrument linear.
Theory and working of moving coil galvanometer:
In the above figure, PQRS is a coil of galvanometer. When current is passed through the galvanometer
coil, it experiences torque due to the two forces acting on the faces PQ and RS. It is called deflecting torque.
The deflecting torque is given by,  D = B I NA ------- (l)
where B is magnetic field, n is number of turns in the coil and A is area of the coil.
The restoring torque due to the tension in the spring is given by,
 R = k  where k is the restoring torque per unit deflection and  is the
deflection of the coil.
The coil rotates until the restoring torque becomes equal to the
deflecting torque. Now the coil is in equilibrium position,
 BNA 
  R =  D  k  = BINA   =  I    I
 k 
Dr. Sankara Rao Gattu, (9949435575) Page 15
  BNA 
where   is a constant for given galvanometer.
 k 
 BNA 
Angular deflection of the pointer in the moving coil galvanometer is  =  I
 k 
A sensitive galvanometer:
A galvanometer is said to sensitive if it shows large deflection for small current or when small potential
difference is applied across it.
Current sensitivity of moving coil galvanometer:
  BNA 
Current sensitivity, S I = =  
I  k 
where B is the magnetic field, n is the number of turns in the coil, A is the area of the coil and k is the
restoring torque per unit deflection.
if I = 1A, then, S I =  Current sensitivity is the deflection produced in the galvanometer per unit current. Its
SI unit is division / ampere or div/A.
Increasing Current sensitivity:
 BNA 
We have, current sensitivity, S I =  
 k 
The current sensitivity can be increased by
1) Increasing the magnetic field,
2) Increasing the number of turns of the coil,
3) Increasing the area of the coil,
y
m
de

4) Decreasing restoring torque per unit deflection.

ca
tA
ris

Voltage sensitivity of moving coil galvanometer:

Ch

   BNA  1
Voltage sensitivity, SV = = =   V = I R  V = IG
V IG  k  G
where B is the magnetic field, n is the number of turns in the coil, A is the area of the coil, k is the restoring
torque per unit deflection, G is the resistance of the galvanometer.
if V= lV, then, SV = 
Voltage sensitivity is the deflection produced in the galvanometer per unit potential difference.
Its SI unit is division /volt or div/V.
Increasing the voltage sensitivity:
 BNA  1
We have, voltage sensitivity, SV =  
 k G
The voltage sensitivity can be increased by
3) Increasing the magnetic field,
4) Increasing the number of turns of the coil,
5) Increasing the area of the coil,
6) Decreasing restoring torque per unit deflection,
7) Decreasing the resistance of the galvanometer.
Limitations of increasing sensitivity:
The current or voltage sensitivity of a galvanometer cannot be increased to any extent. It is due to the
following reasons.
1. If n is made very large, resistance of galvanometer increases sufficiently as well as the coil becomes
bulky. This tends to decreases the sensitivity. For this reason, the optimum value of n should be used.
2. If A is made large, the instrument becomes bulky, Further, a coil of large area swings about its
equilibrium position for a long time.

Dr. Sankara Rao Gattu, (9949435575) Page 16

 3. If k is made too small, the coil would swings about its equilibrium position for a long time.
Therefore, the sensitivity of a galvanometer can be increased by making magnetic field B as large as
possible. This is achieved by using a narrow air gap and a strong permanent magnet (typically B = 0.5 T). The
additional advantage of high value of B is that the instrument is unaffected by external magnetic fields such
as earth’s field = 5  10 −4 T
TP 10: Two moving coil meters, M1 and M2 have the following particulars:
R1 = 10 𝛺, N1 = 30, A1 = 3.6 ×10–3 m2, B1 = 0.25 T, R2 = 14 𝛺, N2 = 42, A2 = 1.8 ×10–3 m2, B2 = 0.50 T
(The spring constants are identical for the two meters).
Determine the ratio of (a) current sensitivity and (b) voltage sensitivity of M2 and M1.
Ammeter:
1) It is a device used to measure the current flowing in a circuit.
2) it should be connected in series in the circuit.
3) Its resistance should be very low.
4) Resistance of an ideal ammeter is zero.
5) A galvanometer can be converted into an ammeter by connecting a low resistance in parallel with it.
Conversion of moving coil (pointer) galvanometer into an ammeter:
A galvanometer can be converted into an ammeter by connecting a low resistance in parallel with it.
Calculation of the low (shunt) resistance (S):
Let S is the low resistance connected in parallel
with the galvanometer, G is the resistance of the
y

galvanometer, I is the maximum current to be measured,

m
de
ca

Ig is the current required for full scale deflection in the

tA
ris
Ch

galvanometer.
In this case the galvanometer and shunt
resistances are connected in parallel.
 Potential difference across S = Potential difference across G
 (I − I g )S = I g G (V = IR )
I gG
 S=
I − Ig
Note:
I gG IS
From S =  Ig =
I − Ig G+S
1. The scale of the galvanometer can be graduated to give the main current directly. i.e. I g  I
GS
2. The effective resistance of converted ammeter (shunted ammeter), R A = from this clearly it is
G+S
observed that the resistance RA will be less than S.
3. The range of an ammeter can be increased by decreasing the effective resistance. This can be achieved
by connecting low resistance in parallel with ammeter.
4. A shunt is a low resistance connected in parallel with the galvanometer.
5. Let n be the number of scale divisions in the galvanometer, K be the current for one scale division
deflection in the galvanometer. Then the current for full scale deflection in the galvanometer, Ig =nK
Uses of shunt:
a) A shunt is used to convert a galvanometer into an ammeter.
b) It is used to increase the range of an ammeter.

Dr. Sankara Rao Gattu, (9949435575) Page 17

 c) While determining the null point in meter bridge and potentiometer experiments, a shunt is used to
protect the galvanometer from damage due to excessive current.
Voltmeter:
1. It is the device used to measure potential difference.
2. It should be connected in parallel with the resistor.
3. Its resistance should be very high.
4. Resistance of an ideal voltmeter is infinity.
5. A galvanometer can be converted into a voltmeter by connecting high resistance in series with it.
Conversion of moving coil (pointer) galvanometer into voltmeter:
A galvanometer can be converted into a voltmeter by connecting high resistance in series with it.
Calculation of high resistance (R):
Consider a high resistance R which is connected in series
with the galvanometer which has G resistance. Let I current
required for full scale deflection in the galvanometer. Now V is
the maximum potential difference to be measured.
From Ohm's Law, V = I g (G + R )  G + R =
V V
R= −G
Ig Ig
Note: Consider V = I g (G + R )  V  I g
1. The scale of the galvanometer can be graduated to give potential difference directly.
2. The effective resistance of converted voltmeter, RV = (G + R )
3. The range of a voltmeter can be suitable high resistance in series with voltmeter. This can be achieved
by connecting a suitable high resistance in series with voltmeter.
y
m
de
ca

NP 12: In the circuit the current is to be measured. What is the value of the current if the ammeter shown (a)
tA
ris

is a galvanometer with a resistance RG = 60.00 𝛺; (b) is a galvanometer described in (a) but converted to an
Ch

ammeter by a shunt resistance rs = 0.02 𝛺; (c) is an ideal ammeter with zero resistance?
Solution:
(a) Total resistance in the circuit is,
RG + 3 = 63Ω. Hence, I = 3/63 = 0.048 A.
(b) Resistance of the galvanometer converted to an ammeter is,
𝑅𝐺 𝑟𝑠
= 0.02Ω
𝑅𝐺 +𝑟𝑠

Total resistance in the circuit is,

0.02Ω + 3Ω = 3.02Ω . Hence, I = 3/3.02 = 0.99 A.
(c) For the ideal ammeter with zero resistance,
I = 3/3 = 1.00 A
Reason for the effective resistance of an ammeter should be low and that of a voltmeter should be high:
The introduction of an ammeter should not alter the current to be measured. Therefore, its resistance
should be low. The introduction of a voltmeter should not alter the potential difference to be measured and
should not allow the current to pass through it. Therefore, its resistance should be high.

Reason for the ammeter should be connected in series in the circuit:

Ammeter is a device used to measure the current. The entire current should pass through it. This is
possible only when the low resistance ammeter connected in series in the circuit. Therefore, the ammeter
should be connected in series in the circuit.
Dr. Sankara Rao Gattu, (9949435575) Page 18
Reason for the voltmeter should be connected in parallel in the circuit:
A voltmeter is a device used to measure the potential difference across the resistor. The entire current
should pass through resistor. This is possible only when the high resistance voltmeter is connected in parallel
to the resistor. Therefore, the voltmeter should be connected parallel to the resistor.
Reason for the effective resistance of an ideal ammeter should be zero and that of a voltmeter should be
infinity:
An ideal ammeter is one, which does not draw any current to be measured. Therefore, its resistance
should be low.
An ideal voltmeter is one which does not allow the current to pass through it. Therefore, its resistance
should be infinity.
Distinguish between ammeter and voltmeter:
Ammeter Voltmeter
1 It is a device used to measure the current. It is a device used to measure potential difference.
2 It should be connected in series in the circuit. It should be connected in parallel with the
resistor.
3 Its resistance should be low. Its resistance should be high.
4 Resistance of an ideal ammeter is zero. Resistance of an ideal voltmeter is infinity.
5 A galvanometer can be converted into A galvanometer can be converted into a voltmeter
ammeter by connecting a low resistance in by connecting high resistance in series with it.
parallel with it. de
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Dr. Sankara Rao Gattu, (9949435575) Page 19