Chapter 6

Magnetic fields
(concept of magnetic field)

Course book: chapter 26

1 of 43 © Boardworks Ltd 2010

Learning objectives

• understand that a magnetic field is an example of a field

of force produced either by current-carrying conductors
or by permanent magnets
• represent a magnetic field by field lines
• sketch magnetic field patterns due to a flat circular coil
and a long solenoid
• understand that the field due to a solenoid is influenced
by the presence of a ferrous core

2 of 43 © Boardworks Ltd 2010

Magnetic field pattern of permanent
magnets

Video about how to determine the pattern

and direction of magnetic field of bar magnet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=LNxGKKOKq_U&t=26s

3 of 43 © Boardworks Ltd 2010

Magnetic field pattern of permanent
magnets

• The magnetic field lines come out of north poles and go into south poles.
• The direction of a field line at any point in the field shows the direction of the
force that a ‘free’ magnetic north pole would experience at that point.
• The field is strongest where the field lines are closest together.

4 of 43 © Boardworks Ltd 2010

Magnetic field pattern on current carrying
conductor

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=mxwevNEa2vs

5 of 43 © Boardworks Ltd 2010

Magnetic field pattern on current carrying
conductor
Right-hand rule

• All magnetic fields are created

by moving charges.
• In a permanent magnet, the
magnetic field is produced by
the movement of electrons
within the atoms of the magnet
• In the case of a wire, the moving
charges are free electrons within
the wire.
• An electromagnet makes use of
the magnetic field created by an
electric current
6 of 43 © Boardworks Ltd 2010
Exercise
A steady current flows in a straight wire to the right.
Choose the correct magnetic field lines around the
red point.
A B

C D

7 of 43 © Boardworks Ltd 2010

Exercise

A. Strength of the magnetic field increases.

B. The magnetic field stays the same.
C. Direction of the magnetic field reverses.
D. Strength of the magnetic field decreases.

8 of 43 © Boardworks Ltd 2010

Exercise

A steady current flows in a straight wire. Gradually, the

current in the wire is increased. What happens to the
magnetic field when the current increases?

A. Direction of the magnetic field reverses.

B. Strength of the magnetic field decreases.
C. Strength of the magnetic field increases.
D. The magnetic field stays the same.

9 of 43 © Boardworks Ltd 2010

Magnetic field pattern due to solenoids

• Solenoid refers to a long, thin loop of wire, often

wrapped around a metallic core; it produces a
magnetic field when an electric current is passed
through it.
• Solenoids are important because they can create
controlled magnetic fields and can be used as
electromagnets.

• Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=FzPO92Jxxt8

10 of 43 © Boardworks Ltd 2010

Magnetic field pattern due to solenoids
• The field pattern for the solenoid looks very
similar to that of a bar magnet, with field
lines emerging from a north pole at one end
and returning to a south pole at the other.
• The strength of the magnetic field of a
solenoid can be greatly increased by adding
a core made of a ferrous (iron-rich) material
such as an iron rod.
• Inside a solenoid the magnetic field lines will
be straight lines and the field will be strong. Right-hand grip rule
The magnetic field strength inside the
solenoid is uniform.

North pole South pole

11 of 43 © Boardworks Ltd 2010

Exercise

Label the north pole of the electromagnet

from the figure.

12 of 43 © Boardworks Ltd 2010

Exercise
The loops of current around a solenoid are
symbolically shown below. Choose the
correct image of magnetic field lines
outside the solenoid

A B

C D

13 of 43 © Boardworks Ltd 2010

Exercise
The loops of current around a solenoid are
symbolically shown below. How do the magnetic
field lines look inside the solenoid?

14 of 43 © Boardworks Ltd 2010

Exercise
To build an electromagnet, a young Michael Faraday
passes current through a solenoid, symbolically
shown below. In this image, where is the north
pole of the current-carrying solenoid located?

A. Top
B. Bottom
C. A current-carrying solenoid
does not have magnetic poles.
D. Not enough information given.

15 of 43 © Boardworks Ltd 2010