Chapter 8: Electromagnetism

Chapter Outline :
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5

Analysing the magnetic effect of a current-carrying conductor

Understanding the force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field
Analysing electromagnetic induction
Analysing transformers
Understanding the generation and transmission of electricity

Concept Map :

7
8.1

Analysing the magnetic effect of a

current-carrying conductor

A magnetic field is formed when a large

current flows through a straight wire.

Electromagnets
1

A magnetic fields is a region around a

magnet.

It can be produced by permanent magnets

and current-carrying conductors.

3
4

An electromagnet can be produced by

conducting a current through a conductor.

The magnetism of a current-carrying

conductor occurs only when the current
flows through the conductor.

The cross-section of the field pattern is as

shown in Figure 8.3.

The current directions are represented by a

cross or a dot (see Figure 8.3).

The electromagnetism is very powerful and

more practical to use in many appliance.

10

(a) Current is switched off

(b) Current is switched on

Figure 8.1 [Pelagi e-masteri]

6

(a)
(b)
Figure 8.3 [Pelagi Illustrated Dictionary]

The properties of the magnetic field is as

follows:
(i)
The field lines are circles around the wire.
(ii)
The direction of the field lines can be
reversed by reversing the current direction.
(iii)
The field strength is stronger at the area
which is closer to the wire.
Field around a coil

The magnetism can be turned off by

switching off the current as shown in Figure
8.1 (b).

Magnetic field pattern

Field around a straight wire

Figure 8.6[Pelagi e-masteri]

11
The magnetic field pattern produced by a
current flowing through a circular flat coil
is as shown in Figure 8.6.
12
Figure 8.2 [Pelagi e-masteri]

The right-hand grip rule can be applied to

determine the direction of the magnetic field
around a circular flat coil.

Field around a solenoid

15

The magnetic field around a solenoid is

similar to that of a bar magnet.

16

The position of the poles depends on the

direction of the current.

Magnetic field strength

17

Figure 8.7 [Pelagi e-masteri]

13

A solenoid is a coil made up of a number of

turns of wire as shown in Figure 8.7.

The magnetic field strength can be increase

by:
increasing the current that flows through the

(i)
wire.
(ii)
increasing the number of turns in the coil for
the same length of solenoid.
(iii)
inserting a soft-iron core into the coil.
Electric bell

Figure 8.8 [Pelagi e-masteri]

14

Figure 8.8 shows that the direction of the

magnetic field around a solenoid can be
indicated using the right-hand grip rule.

Figure 8.9 [Eastview : New Topical Mastery Vision Science]

Figure 8.10 [Pelagi e-masteri]

Figure 8.11 [Pelangi : Illustrated Dictonary]

18
The electromagnet is switched on and off
rapidly by a contact breaker as shown in
Figure 8.11.
19

The electromagnet is created when the

current flows in the coil.

20

The hammer is attracted by the

electromagnet, causing it to hit the gong.

21

This will break the contact and switch off

the current.

22

The hammer is then returned to its original

position, causing the current to flow again.

23

The process will be repeated as long as the

switch is pressed on.

Electromagnet relay
Maglev train

Figure 8.12 [Pelangi : Illustrated Dictonary]

24

A magnetic relay is a device used to switch

on and off a circuit with large current safely.

25

Figure 8.12 shows that there are two major

circuits inside a relay.

26

The arm will rotate and closes the switch in

circuit B when a small current is applied to
circuit A.

27

In this way, the circuit B will be switched

on.

Earpiece

31

Maglev is the abbreviation for magnetic

levitation.

32

The maglev train is a train with

electromagnets attached underneath that
provides magnetic fields.

33

The train can levitate just above the track as

the magnets repel each other.

34

The reduced friction enables the train to

move fast.

8.2

Understanding the force on a currentcarrying conductor in a magnetic field

Magnetic force
1

A magnetic field is formed when a current

flows through a wire.

When the current-carrying wire is brought

near to a permanent magnet, the two fields
will interact to produce a force.

Force produced by the combined magnetic field

Catapult force

Figure 8.13 [Pelangi : Illustrated Dictonary]

28

An earpiece is a device used to transform

electrical signals into sounds.

29

The strength of the magnetic field will

change as the varying currents flows through
the electromagnet.

30

The diaphragm in a microphone will

vibrate to create sounds.

(a)

(b)

(c)
Figure 8.17

Figure 8.17 (a) shows the magnetic field

around a current carrying wire.

Figure 8.17 (b) shows the magnetic field

between two slab-shaped magnets

Figure 8.17 (c) shows the combined field of

Figure 8.17 (a) and Figure 8.17 (b).

The combined field pattern appears as if the

wire is being catapulted from the strong
field region towards the weak field region.

Such a magnetic field is called a catapult

field.

The direction of the catapult force can be

identified by Flemings left-hand rule.

Highlight
Flemings left-hand rule

Figure 8.18
The direction of the catapult force is
perpendicular to both the current and the
magnetic field of the permanent magnet.
Example :

Figure 8.19
Figure 8.19
shows the setup of an apparatus to
investigate the force on a currentcarrying conductor in a magnetic
field.
Current flows from A to B
The direction of the magnetic field is

from N to S

Figure 8.20
Figure 8.20 shows that the direction
of the resultant force acting the short
copper wire can be determined using
Flemings left-hand rule.
Turning force on a current-carrying coil in a
magnetic field
Turning effect on a coil
Turning axis

Figure 8.21 [e-masteri page 332 Rajah 7.75]

9

There is a turning effect on a coil which lies

between the poles of a magnet as shown in
Figure 8.21.

Figure 8.22 [e-masteri page 331 Rajah 7.72]

10

Figure 8.22 shows the end view of the coil

in a magnetic field.

11

The current flows in opposite directions

along the two sides of the coil.

12

As a result, one side of the coil is pushed up

and the other side is pushed down, causing
the coil to turn clockwise as shown in Figure
8.22.

Highlight
The turning effect on the coil can be
increased by:
i)
increasing the current.
(ii) increasing the strength of the
magnetic field.
(iii) increasing the number of turns in
the coil.
(iv) increasing the area of the coil

16

The higher the current flows through, the

further the coil turns.

Direct current motor

17
A direct current (DC) motor which
consists of a coil of many turns uses the
magnetic turning effect.

Ammeter
Figure 8.25 [e-masteri page 330 Rajah 7.71]

Figure 8.23 [e-masteri page 341 Rajah 7.95a]

13

Figure 8.23 shows a moving-coil ammeter.

Figure 8.24 [e-masteri page 341 Rajah 7.96]

14

The moving-coil ammeter uses the magnetic

turning effect on a coil to show deflection on
a scale as shown in Figure 8.24.

15

A large current will produce a full scale

deflection on the scale.

18

Figure 8.25 shows the simplified model of a

DC motor.

19

The current flows into the coil through a pair

of carbon brushes. The carbon brushes
push against a commutator.

20

The commutator changes contact from one

brush to another when the coil is turning to
keep the coil rotating continuously.

Highlight
The speed of rotation of an electric motor
can be increased by:
(i)
increasing the current.
(ii) increasing the strength of the
magnetic field.
(iii) increasing the number of turns in
the coil.
Quickcheck
Question :
Which of the following best represents
the correct poles of both sides of the
solenoid?

field lines.

Answer : D
8.3
Analysing electromagnetic induction
How induced e.m.f. is produced?

Figure 8.26 [e-masteri page 333 Rajah 7.78]

1
Figure 8.26 shows that a voltage is induced
when a conductor cuts a magnetic field.
2

The movement of a conductor in a magnetic

field produces an electromotive force
(e.m.f.) in the conductor.

An induced current is produced when the

conductor is connected to a closed circuit.

This effect is called electromagnetic

induction.

The magnitude of the e.m.f. can be increased

by:
moving the wire faster.
using a stronger magnet.
increasing the length of wire in the magnetic

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
field.

Highlight
Faradays law of electromagnetic
induction
The voltage induced in a conductor is
directly proportional to the rate at which
the conductor cuts through the magnetic

The direction of induced current depends

on the direction of the motion.

The direction can be identified using Lenzs

law or Flemings right-hand rule.

Highlight
Lenzs law
An induced current always flows to
oppose the movement which started it.
Example :

Figure 8.27 [e-masteri page 334 Rajah

7.80]
The south pole of the magnet is
moving into the coil.
The induced current flows in such
direction to as to produce a south pole
to oppose the approaching of the
magnet

Figure 8.28 [e-masteri page 334 Rajah

7.80]
The south pole of the magnet is
moving away from the coil.
The induced current flows in such
direction so as to produce a north pole
to oppose the leaving of the magnet.

Highlight
Flemings right-hand rule

Figure 8.29 [e-masteri page 334 Rajah

7.81]
The direction of the induced current
which flows in a wire cutting through a
magnetic field can be identified as shown
in Figure 8.29.
Application of electromagnetic induction
AC and DC generators
8

A generator is a device that produces

electrical energy by electromagnetic
induction.

Generators are the inverse of motors.

10

Figure 8.30 (a) shows a simple AC

generator.

11

The output current varies during the rotation

of the coil as shown in Figure 8.30 (b).

12

The current is zero when the coil is vertical.

13

The current is greatest when the coil is

horizontal.

14

The magnitude of the induce voltage can be

increased by:
rotating the coil faster.
using a stronger magnet.
increasing the number of turns in the coil.
increasing the area of the coil.
winding the coil on a soft-iron core.

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
15

The DC generator is produced when the

slip rings are replaced by a commutator.

(a)

(a)

(b)
Figure 8.31 [e-masteri page 337 Rajah 7.84]
16
Figure 8.31 (a) shows a simple DC
generator.

(b)
Figure 8.30 [e-masteri page 337 Rajah 7.83]

17

The output current varies but still flowing in

one direction as shown in Figure 8.31 (b).

18

The commutator reverses the contacts of the

coil when the coil passes through the
vertical position.

The electrical energy is transferred from the

primary coil to the secondary coil even they
are not connected directly to each other.

When an AC input flows through the

primary coil, the magnetic field changes
continuously.

This induces an AC output in the

secondary coil.

Highlight
AC and DC

Figure 8.32 [e-masteri page 339 Table]

Alternating current (AC)
A current which flows in two opposite
direction alternately.

Figure 8.33 [e-masteri page 339 Table]

Step-up and step-down transformers

6

The voltages in the primary and the

secondary coils depend on the number of
turns in the coils.

The relationship between the voltages and

the number of turns in the coils is given as:

Primary voltage
Number of turns in the primary coil

Secondary voltage
Number of turns in the secondary coil

VP
N
P
VS
NS

Direct current (DC)

A current which flows in one direction
only.
8.4
Analysing transformers
Operating principle of a transformer

Figure 8.38 [Form 5 text book Page 100]

8

Figure 8.38 shows the simple structure and

the circuit symbol of a step-up
transformer.

A step-up transformer has more turns in the

secondary coil than in the primary coil (NP <
NS).

10

The secondary voltage is greater than the

primary voltage (VP < VS).

Figure 8.37 [e-masteri page 345 Figure 7.104]

1

Figure 8.37 shows the simple structure and

the symbol of a transformer.

A transformer consist of two coils of wires

which are known as:
the primary coil
the secondary coil

(i)
(ii)

Efiiciency

Output power
100%
Input power

Figure 8.39 [Form 5 text book Page 100]

11

Figure 8.39 shows the simple structure and

the circuit symbol of a step-down
transformer.

12

A step-down transformer has more turns in

the primary coil than in the secondary coil
(NP > NS).

13

The primary voltage is greater than the

secondary voltage (VP > VS).

Primary and secondary current

14

In an ideal transformer, all the power

supplied to the primary coil will be
transferred to the secondary coil.

15

This is given as:

Power input =
VPIP =

Power output
VSIS

I
VP
S
VS
IP

From,

VP
N
P
VS
NS

We get,

IS
N
P
IP
NS

Energy losses in transformer

16

Some of the energy supplied to the primary

coil may be lost as heat in all practical
transformers.

17
(i)
(ii)
core.
(iii)

The energy losses are due to:

resistance of coils.
magnetization and demagnetization of the

18

The efficiency of a transformer can be

determined using:

eddy currents in the core.

Quickcheck
Question :

Figure 8.40
Figure 8.40 shows an ideal transformer
used to operate a 12V bulb from the ac
mains. What is the turns ratio of the
transformer?
A 10:1
B 20:1
C 30:1
D 40:1
Answer : B
8.5

Understanding the generation and

transmission of electricity

Generation of electricity
1

Electricity is generated by electromagnetic

induction.

The electromagnetic induction is carried out

by a generator which has a huge dynamo
that is turned by a turbine.

Types of energy sources that can be used to

produce the electricity are:

(a)
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)

Renewable
Hydro power
Wind
Waves
Solar
Biomass

(vi)

Geothermal

(b)
(i)
(ii)

Non-renewable
Fossil fuel (coal, petroleum, natural gas)
Radioactive substances

Each of these source has its own advantages

and disadvantages.

Transmission of electricity
5
6

Electricity is transmitted through wires from

a distant.
The magnitude of the current has to be
lowered before the current is transmitted to
consumers.

Figure 8.41 [e-masteri Page 350 Rajah 7.108]

7

Figure 8.41 shows a simple model of

electricity transmission system.

A step-up transformer is used to increase the

voltage and lowered the current at the power
plant.

The electricity is then transmitted through a

grid system.

10

A step-down transformer is used to decrease

the voltage before the current is being
delivered to consumers.

The National Grid Network

Figure 8.42 [e-masteri Page 350 Rajah 7.109]

11

Figure 8.42 shows a model of the National

Grid Network.

12

The National Grid Network is a system

which connects all the power plants, the
station and consumers to form a closed
network.

13
Some of the advantages of the system are:
(i)
The power station can be built away from
the populated area.
(ii)
The power supply is uninterrupted since the
breakdown in a power station can be supported by
another power station.
(iii)
The power supply is distributed
according to the demand to prevent
energy wastage.
Quickcheck
Question :
A 5 000 W of power is transmitted
through a cable of resistance 5. What is
the power loss in the cable if the current
is transmitted at 1 250V?
A 20W
B 40W
C 60W
D 80W
Answer : D