Magnetic Effect Of Current

Formation of magnetic field around the conductor on passage of direct current is called magnetic
effect of current .
The region around a magnet where the influence of the magnet can be felt is called magnetic field .
Magnetic field due to a current carrying conductor :
Observations :
1. The magnetic field lines around the conductor are in the form of concentric circles
2. When the current flows downwards the direction of magnetic field is clockwise and on
reversing the direction of current the magnetic field is anti-clockwise.
Factors on which strength of magnetic field depends :
1. Strength of the magnetic field is directly proportional to the current
2. Strength of the magnetic field is inversely proportional to the distance from the conductor
Magnetic field due to a circular coil :
Observation :
1. Magnetic field around each segment of the coil are concentric circles .
2. Magnetic field near the centre of the coil are straight lines .
Polarity developed on two faces of the coil
If the current is in the clockwise direction then the face develops a
south polarity.
If the current is in the anti clockwise direction then the face develops
north polarity.
Factors on which strength of magnetic field of a circular coil
depends :
1. Strength is directly proportional to the current flowing through
the conductor.
2. Strength of the current is inversely proportional to the radius of the coil.
3. Strength of the current is directly proportional to the number of turns of
the coil.
Solenoid : A current carrying cylindrical coil whose diameter is less than the
length of the coil. When a soft iron core is placed inside the coil the device is
called electromagnet
On passage of current through the solenoid , it behaves like a bar magnet and
produces similar magnetic field lines .
Polarity developed on two faces of the solenoid :
The end of the solenoid at which the current flows in the anti clockwise direction
gains the noth polarity and the end where current flows in the clockwise
direction gains the south polarity.
Factors affecting the strength of magnetic field by a current carrying
solenoid :
The strength of magnetic field produced by a current carrying solenoid is:
1. Directly proportional to the number of turns in the solenoid
2. Directly proportional to the strength of current in the solenoid
3. Dependent on the nature of "core material" used in making the solenoid. The use of soft iron
rod as core in a solenoid produces the strongest magnetism.
Electromagnets: An electromagnet is a temporary magnet which consists of a long coil of insulated
copper wire wound on a soft iron core. The electromagnet acts as a magnet only so long as the
current is flowing in the solenoid. The moment the current is switched off the solenoid is
demagnetized.
Steel is not used in an electromagnet because on getting magnetized it does not get demagnetized
and forms a permanent magnet .
Factors Affecting The Strength Of An Electromagnet:
The strength of an electromagnet is:
1. Directly proportional to the number of turns in the coil.
2. Directly proportional to the current flowing in the coil.
3. Inversely proportional to the length of air gap between the poles.
Electric Bell :
Works on the principle of electromagnetism .
When button is pushed the soft iron core gets magnetized and attracts the
steel hammer . The hammer strikes the gong and produces a sound . At the
same time the circuit breaks and the iron core gets demagnetized , as a result
the spring pulls the hammer back and the same sequence follows again.

Flemings Left Hand Rule :

If the first finger points in the direction of the magnetic
field and the second finger the direction of the current
in the wire, then the thumb will point in the direction of the force on the
conductor.

Electric motor : A device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy
Principle : Works on the principle of magnetic effect of current . The direction of motion of the
conductor is according to Fleming’s Left Hand Rule .
Factors on which power of motor depends :
1. Strength of magnetic field
2. Current passing through the coil
3. Number of turns in the coil of the armature

Electromagnetic Induction :Phenomenon of producing

electric current in a conductor on changing the magnetic flux
linked to the coil . The current produced in the conductor is
called induced current .
Factors affecting the strength of induced current :
1. Strength of the magnetic field
2. Number of turns of the coil
3. Relative speed between the coil and the magnet

A.C Generator : It is a machine that converts mechanical energy

into electrical energy . The direction of current is given Fleming’s
right hand rule.
A.C. generators or alternators operate on the same fundamental
principles of electromagnetic induction. Alternating voltage may
be generated by rotating a coil in the magnetic field or by rotating
a magnetic field within a stationary coil.
Factors affecting the strength of the induced current :
1. the number of turns in the coil.
2. strength of the field.
3. the speed at which the coil or magnetic field rotates.
Transformer : A transformer makes use of Faraday's law and the
ferromagnetic properties of an iron core to efficiently raise or
lower AC voltages. It of course cannot increase power so that
if the voltage is raised, the current is proportionally lowered
and vice versa.
Principle : Works on the principle of electromagnetic induction
.
Working : A transformer works only with AC (alternating
current) circuits. The changing AC current enters the primary
coil of wire in the transformer. A magnetic field is produced
that is concentrated in the iron core of the transformer. A
secondary coil of wires (also conductors) is wrapped around
the iron core, not physically touching the first set of wires. The
changing magnetic field produced by the first coil is experienced by the second coil and current
begins to flow in these wires as well. The second coil has many more turns of wire and offers a higher
resistance to the current flow than the first coil. The greater resistance means that a larger voltage
drop (than is present across the first coil of wire) is produced from one end of the coil to the other.
Therefore a low voltage enters the transformer and a high voltage exits, or vice versa.
The transformer which raises up the voltage is called step up transformer and the transformer that
lowers the voltage is called step down transformer.
Step up transformer : Ns > Np
Step down transformer : Ns < Np