CHAPTER 4 - MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

Electromagnetism:
Magnetism due to flow of electric charges in a conductor is called electromagnetism.
Magnetic Field (B):
The region around a magnet or current carrying conductor in which magnetic force can be experienced
is called magnetic field.
Note:
 A moving charge is source of magnetic field.
 The SI unit of magnetic field is Tesla (T) and CGS unit is Gauss (G).
 1 Gauss=10-4Tesla
Magnetic field due to a current carrying Conductor:
Hans Christain Oersted discovered that a magnetic field is produced by a current carrying conductor.
This magnetic field is formulated through Biot - Savart’s Law.
Biot-Savart’s Law:
Biot-Savart’s law states that “the magnitude of magnetic field (dB) at a point due to a current element is
directly proportional to –
i) the magnitude of current (I),
ii) the length of current element (dl),
iii) sine of the angle between the current element and the vector joining the current element and the
point (sinθ), and
iv) inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them (r2)”
Idl sin 
dB
ie r2
Idl sin 
dB k
r2

But k = 0
4
 Idl sin 
 dB  0
4 r 2

Where μ0 is called permeability of free space (Absolute permeability) and its value is given as 4πx10-7 Tm/A.

Note :
i) Relation between μ0 and ε0 is given by
1 1
c or c2 
 0 0  0 0

Where ‘c’ is the velocity of light.

ii) The magnetic field is zero at any point along the straight conductor.

Vectorform of Biot-Savart’s Law:

Biot-Savart’s law in vector form is given as
⃗
μ0 I ⃗dl x r^ ⃗
μ0 I ⃗
dl x ⃗r
dB= or dB=
4 π r2 4 π r3

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 CHAPTER 4 - MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM
Applications of Biot-Savart’s Law:
Magnetic field due to a current carrying circular coil (current loop/ring):
Consider a current loop of radius ‘a’ carrying current ‘I’. Let ‘P’ be a point on the axis of the loop at a
distance ‘r’ from the centre. Imagine the loop be divided into small segments of length ‘dl’.
According to Biot-Savart’s law the magnetic field due to current element ‘dl’ is given by,
 I dl sin 
dB  0
4 x 2
 I dl
 dB  0 2 ( because  = 900 )
4 x

Here dB cosΦ get cancelled and dBsinΦ components

get added up

 The magnetic field due to the whole current loop is given by,
B = dBsin
 Idl
=  0 2 sin 
4 x
a
But from OPA, sin =
x
 Idl a
 B  0 2
4 x x
 I a
= 0 2 dl
4 x x
But dl 2a, the circumference of the current loop
 0 Ia
B = 2a
4x 3
 0 Ia 2
ie B =
2x3
But x 2 = r 2 + a 2
3


 x3 = r 2 + a 2  2

 0 Ia 2
B = 3


2 r 2 +a 2  2

If there are ' n' number of turns, then

 0 nIa 2
B= 3


2 r2 + a2  2

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 CHAPTER 4 - MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM
SPECIAL CASES:
The magnetic field at the centre of a current carrying coil is given by,
 nI
B 0 because at the centre, r = 0.
2a
where ' n' is the number of turns.
Note:
The direction of the magnetic field is given by (another) right-hand thumb rule stated below:
“ Curl the palm of your right hand around the circular wire with the fingers pointing in the direction of
the current. The right-hand thumb gives the direction of the magnetic field”.
Current loop as a magnetic dipole:
The face of the current loop in which current flows in clockwise direction act as the south pole, and the
face of the loop in which current appears to flow in anti clock wise direction act as the north pole.
Thus a current loop has two magnetic poles separated by a distance. Therefore it can be called as a
magnetic dipole, having a dipole moment,
m = IA
Where I current through loop, A Area of the loop.
Proof: We know that Magnetic field at a point due to a current loop is given by,
μ0 Ia2
B= 3
2(r 2 +a2 ) 2
3
If a<<r, then (r 2 +a2 ) 2 =r 3
μ 0 Ia 2
Therefore, B=
2 r3
Multiplying and dividing by “2π”,
μ 0 2 I π a2
B=
4 π r3
μ 2I A
B= 0
4 π r3
Put, m=IA, then
μ 2m
B= 0 3
4π r
Now the electric field at a point along the axis of the electric dipole is given by,
1 2P
E=
4 0 r 3
Comparing the above two equations we can see that a current loop can act as a magnetic dipole with
dipole moment , m = IA.
Note:
For a point in the plane of the loop at a distance ‘r’ from the centre, the magnetic field is given by
μ m
B= 0 3
4π r

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 CHAPTER 4 - MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM
Ampere’s Circuital theorm/Law:
It states that “the line integral of the magnetic field around any closed path in free space is equal to ‘μ0’
times the net current enclosed by the path”.
B.dl   0 I
Applications of Ampere’s Circuital law:
I- Magnetic field due to a straight conductor:
Consider a straight long conductor carrying a steady current ‘I’. Let ‘P’ be a point at a distance ‘r’ from
the conductor. Consider a circular path containing the point with conductor as axis.
As the magnetic field at all points on the circular path is tangential and of the same magnitude, we get,
B.dl  B dl  B.2r - - - - - - - -(1)
The current enclosed by the circular path = I - - - - - - - (2)
By Ampere's circuital theorm, B.dl =  0 I - - - - - - - - - (3)
Substituting, eqn(1) and (2) in (3),
B.2r   0 I
0 I
ie, B =
2r
This is the expression for the mgnetic field due to a straight conductor.

II-Magnetic field due to a Solenoid carrying current:

A current carrying uniform wire wound in the form of helix is called solenoid.
Consider an amperian loop ‘abcd’ of side length ‘h’ as shown in figure.
Therefore, the line integral of magnetic field over the closed path ‘abcd’ is given by,
b c d a
∮ B. dl= ∫ B. dl+∫ B . dl+∫ B . dl+∫ B . dl
a b c d
b c
But,∫ B . dl=Bh, ∫ B . dl=0 [ because θ =900 ]
a b
d a

∫ B . dl=0 [ because, B=0 ] , ∫ B . dl=0 [ because θ =90 0]

c d
∴ ∮ B .dl=Bh−−−−−−−( 1)
The net current enclosed by the path abcd is,
=NI, -------------- (2)
where 'N' is the number of turns passing inside the path abcd .
By the Ampere’s law ,
∮ B. dl=μ 0 I ------------ ( 3)
Substituting eqn (1) and (2) in ( 3) ,
Bh=μ 0 NI
ie B= μ 0 nI
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 CHAPTER 4 - MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM
Where n number of turns per unit length.
● If there is a core of relative permeability,μr, then
B =  0  r nI

Special Case: Magnetic field at one end of the solenoid is given by,
  nI  nI
B= 0 r B= 0
2 or 2

Magnetic Lorentz force (Force on a moving charge in a magnetic field):

A charge ‘q’ moving in a magnetic field ‘B’, with velocity ‘v’ will experience a fore given by,
F =q( ⃗
⃗ v ×B⃗)
This force is called magnetic Lorents force.
ie, F = qvBsinθ
Where θ is the angle between ‘v’ and ‘B’
The direction of ‘F’ is perpendicular to both ‘v’ and ‘B’.
Special Cases:
i) If θ=00 or 1800, sinθ=0, ie F=0. Therefore, a charged particle moving parallel or anti parallel to the
direction of Magnetic field does not experience any force.
ii) If velocity,v=0 , then F=0. Therefore, a charged particle at rest does not experience any force.
iii) If θ=900, sinθ=1, ie F=qvB, there fore the charged particle entering perpendicular to the magnetic
field experience maximum force.
iv) As the direction of magnetic force is perpendicular to the direction of motion, no work is done by the
Lorentz force and hence the Kinetic Energy of particle will not change.
Lorentz Force:
If a charged particle moves through a region in which both electric and magnetic field are present, then
force experienced by the charge is called Lorentz force and is given by,
F =q ⃗
⃗ E + q(⃗v x ⃗
B)
Or F=q [ E +(⃗v x B
⃗ ⃗ )]
Note:-
 The particle will describe a circular motion if v and B are perpendicular to each other.
mv
 Radius of the circle described by the charged particle, r=
qB
2πm
 Time period of revolution of particle, T =
qB
 If velocity has a component along B, the particle describes helical motion.
 If there is a component of the velocity parallel to the magnetic field (denoted by vH ), it will make the
particle move along the field and the path of the particle would be a helical one . The distance moved
along the magnetic field in one rotation is called pitch p.
2πm
Pitch , P=v H xT = v
qB H

Force on a current carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field:

Consider a conductor of length ‘l’, area of cross-section ‘A’,
and number density of electrons ‘n’.
Therefore, the total charge flowing in the conductor is given by,
q=nAle
Therefore, total force on all the moving electrons is given by,
F=q v B sin θ
= n A l e v B sin θ
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 CHAPTER 4 - MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM
= (n A e v ) l B sin θ
= I l B sin θ
ie, F =I ( ⃗l x ⃗
⃗ B ).
This is the expression for force experienced by a current carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field.
Where, ‘θ’ is the angle between the conductor and the direction of magnetic field.
Special Cases:
1. When the conductor is parallel to the field, the force acting on the conductor is minimum.
ie, F min = 0.
2. When the conductor is perpendicular to the magnetic field, the force is maximum,
ie F max = I l B.
Fleming’s left hand rule:
It states that “stretch the middle finger, forefinger and the thumb of the left hand
in three mutually perpendicular directions; such that the middle finger indicates the
direction of current, forefinger indicates the direction of magnetic field, then the thumb
will indicate the direction of force”.
Force between two parallel current carrying wires:
Consider two parallel wires separated by a distance ‘r’. Let I 1, be the current through 1st wire and I2 be
the current through 2nd wire as shown in figure..
The magnetic field produced by 1st wire at
the 2nd wire is given by,
μ0 I 1
B 1= ------(1)
2πr
Therefore, the force experienced by 2nd wire by the 1st
wire is given by,
F21=I 2 B1
μ I I
Substituting, F21= 0 1 2
2πr
μ0 I1 I2
Similarly, F12=
2πr
Therefore, |F 12|=|F21|
Also by Fleming’s left hand rule, we can see that
“when the currents are in the same direction, the force is attractive, and if the currents are in opposite
direction the force is repulsive”.
Definition of ampere:
“One ampere is that current which when flowing through two parallel straight wires separated by unit
distance in air experiences a force of 2x10-7N”.

Torque on a current loop (rectangular coil) placed in Magnetic field:

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 CHAPTER 4 - MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM
Let l-→ length of the loop
b-→breadth of the loop,
B-→magnetic field intensity.
θ-→ Angle between the normal to the loop and magnetic field vector.
The coil placed in a uniform magnetic field experiences a torque due to pair of forces F1 and F3.
Therefore, Torque, τ = One of the force x Perpendicular distance.
= F1 x b sinθ
= I l B x b sin θ
= I ( l b) B sinθ
=IABsin θ
ie, torque, τ = I A B sin θ
If there are ‘N’ number of turns, then torque, τ = N I A B sin θ
But IA = m, the magnetic dipole moment of the loop.
There fore, torque, τ = Nm B sin θ Or torque, ⃗τ =N ( m⃗ x⃗B)
Special Cases:
i) If the plane of the loop is parallel to the magnetic field, torque is maximum (θ=900),
There fore torque τmax = Nm B This is the case with the radial field.
ii) If the plane of the loop is perpendicular to the magnetic field, torque is minimum (θ=00),
There fore torque τmin = 0.
Moving Coil Galvanometer(MCG):
It is a device used to detect and measure small electric current.
Principle:
“A current carrying coil placed in a magnetic field experience a torque”.
Construction:
A moving coil galvanometer consists of a rectangular coil of many turns wound on a non-magnetic
frame and is suspended between the two poles of a magnet. A soft iron cylinder is placed at the center of the
coil without touching it. This cylinder concentrates the lines of force into the gap and increases the sensitivity of
MCG. The magnet is cylindrical (or horse-shoe shaped) , so that the magnetic field is radial in any position of
the coil.
Theory & Working:
Let, N-→ number of turns of the coil. I-→current through the coil.
A-→ Area of the coil. B-→Magnetic field
θ-→ Deflection.
The deflecting torque experienced by current carrying coil placed in a magnetic field is given by,
τ deflecting = NIA B
Due to this torque the coil rotates. At the same time a restoring torque is developed in the string, which
would restore the coil back to its original position.

Let ‘θ’ be the twist produced and ‘K’ is the restoring torque per unit twist, then
τ restoring = K θ
In equilibrium position, τ deflecting = τ restoring
NIA B = K θ
 K 
I  
 NAB 
I=Gθ
where G = (K/NAB), is a constant and is called galvanometer constant.
ie “deflection produced is directly proportional to the current flowing through the galvanometer” .

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 CHAPTER 4 - MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM
Ammeter:
An ammeter is an instrument used to measure electric current in a circuit.
Ammeter is connected in series with the circuit. “An ideal ammeter has zero
resistance”
Conversion of Galvanometer in to Ammeter:
A galvanometer can be converted into an ammeter by connecting shunt.
“Shunt is a low resistance connected in parallel with the galvanometer to protect
the galvanometer from strong currents”.
Let ‘G’ be the galvanometer resistance and ‘S’ be the shunt resistance. Let
‘Ig’ be the current through the galvanometer. Then the main current ‘I’ is divided in to ‘Ig’ and ‘(I-Ig)’.
Therefore, potential difference cross galvanometer = potential difference across shunt.
ie, Ig G = (I - Ig ) S
I gG
S
I  Ig
Thus, a galvanometer of resistance ‘G’ and maximum safe current ‘Ig’ can be converted into an
ammeter to read a maximum current of ‘I’ by connecting a shunt value as given above across it.
Since the shunt has a very low value, the ammeter is a low resistance device.
GS
ie Ammeter resistance RA 
GS
Voltmeter:
A voltmeter is an instrument used to measure electric voltage
(potential difference) in a circuit. Voltmeter is connected in parallel with
the circuit. “An ideal voltmeter has infinite resistance”
Conversion of Galvanometer in to Voltmeter:
A galvanometer can be converted into a voltmeter by connecting
a high resistance ‘R’ in series with it.
Let ‘G’ be the galvanometer resistance and ‘I g’ be the current
through the galvanometer. Let ‘V’ be the potential difference to be measured, then
V = I g G + Ig R
= Ig(G+R)
V
R G 
Ig
V
R  G
Ig
Thus, a galvanometer of resistance ‘G’ and maximum safe current ‘Ig’ can be converted into a voltmeter
to read a maximum voltage of ‘V’ by connecting a series resistance value as given above.
The voltmeter is a high resistance device. The resistance of the voltmeter is given by, RV=R+G

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