TOPIC : Electric charge, dipoles, force, field, and flux problems

Objectives : To Solve problems involving electric charges, dipoles, forces, fields, and flux

To identify formulas and techniques for solving electricity related problems

To explain the relationships of electricity problem solving to charges, atoms, pendulums and
electron/proton beams.

Materials Needed : Scientific Calculator,

Discussion :

Magnetism is what gives magnets their ability to attract objects made of iron or steel. A magnet creates
around itself a region of space with special properties. This region is known as a MAGNETIC FIELD. When
two magnets come near each other, their fields create forces that attract or repel. The Earth is itself a
huge magnet, and the force its field exerts on other magnets makes them point in a northsouth direction.
This effect is used in the magnetic compass.

MAGNETIC MATERIALS

The most common magnetic material is steel, an alloy (mix) of iron, other metals, and carbon. Pure iron
becomes magnetized in a magnetic field but does not stay magnetic. Steel can make a permanent magnet.
Once it is magnetized, it stays magnetized.

ATTRACTION AND REPULSION

The two ends of a magnet are always different from each other. The end that points north, if allowed to
move freely, is called the north pole. The other end is the south pole. These magnetic poles behave rather
like electric charges. Poles of opposite kinds attract each other, while poles of the same kind repel.

MAGNETIC DOMAINS Magnetic materials are made of thousands of tiny magnets called magnetic
domains. Before the material is magnetized, all the little magnets point in different directions, so their
effects cancel each other out. But a magnetic field can line them up so that they all point in the same
direction. This turns the material into a magnet.

MAGNETIC FIELD Every magnet is surrounded by an invisible, three-dimensional magnetic field. A field is
a region in which something varies from point to point. In Earths atmosphere, for example, wind speed
and direction vary from place to place. In a magnetic field, the strength and direction of the magnetic
effect varies in a similar way. The field is at its strongest near the magnet.

Magnetic field, region in the neighbourhood of a magnet, electric current, or changing electric field, in
which magnetic forces are observable. Magnetic fields such as that of the Earth cause magnetic compass
needles and other permanent magnets to line up in the direction of the field. Magnetic fields force moving
electrically charged particles in a circular or helical path. This forceexerted on electric currents in wires
in a magnetic fieldunderlies the operation of electric motors. The behaviour of a bar magnet with its
magnetic field concentrated at its north-seeking and south-seeking poles. This video explains how
magnetic poles interact with each other. Encyclopdia Britannica, Inc. Around a permanent magnet or a
wire carrying a steady electric current in one direction, the magnetic field is stationary and referred to as
a magnetostatic field. At any given point its magnitude and direction remain the same. Around an
alternating current or a fluctuating direct current, the magnetic field is continuously changing its
magnitude and direction. Wireless transmission of electricity is possible. The use of magnetic fields to
generate electric current. Science in Seconds (www.scienceinseconds.com) (A Britannica Publishing
Partner) Magnetic fields may be represented by continuous lines of force or magnetic flux that emerge
from north-seeking magnetic poles and enter south-seeking magnetic poles. The density of the lines
indicates the magnitude of the magnetic field. At the poles of a magnet, for example, where the magnetic
field is strong, the field lines are crowded together, or more dense. Farther away, where the magnetic
field is weak, they fan out, becoming less dense. A uniform magnetic field is represented by equally spaced
parallel straight lines. The direction of the flux is the direction in which the north-seeking pole of a small
magnet points. The lines of flux are continuous, forming closed loops. For a bar magnet, they emerge from
the north-seeking pole, fan out and around, enter the magnet at the south-seeking pole, and continue
through the magnet to the north pole, where they again emerge. The SI unit for magnetic flux is the weber.
The number of webers is a measure of the total number of field lines that cross a given area. SIMILAR
TOPICS quantum field theory electric field general relativity electromagnetic field line of force Magnetic
fields may be represented mathematically by quantities called vectors that have direction as well as
magnitude. Two different vectors are in use to represent a magnetic field: one called magnetic flux
density, or magnetic induction, is symbolized by B; the other, called the magnetic field strength, or
magnetic field intensity, is symbolized by H. The magnetic field H might be thought of as the magnetic
field produced by the flow of current in wires and the magnetic field B as the total magnetic field including
also the contribution made by the magnetic properties of the materials in the field. When a current flows
in a wire wrapped on a soft-iron cylinder, the magnetizing field H is quite weak, but the actual average
magnetic field (B) within the iron may be thousands of times stronger because B is greatly enhanced by
the alignment of the irons myriad tiny natural atomic magnets in the direction of the field

MAGNETIC COMPASS This modern compass has a pivoted magnetic needle. The needle points not to the
Earths geographical North Pole but to its magnetic north pole. This is in northern Canada, about 1,600
km (1,000 miles) from the North Pole. The magnetic north pole is currently moving northwards at about
40 km (25 miles) a year.

FIELD AROUND A MAGNET The idea of a field is based on the work of British scientist Michael Faraday
(17911867) in the early 19th century. He sprinkled particles of iron around magnets to reveal what he
called lines of force stretching from one pole to another. These helped him to explain many magnetic
effects. We now see lines of force as indicating the direction of the field, with their spacing indicating its
strength.

A. Motivational Activity

Activity Instructions

1. Place the bar magnet in the middle of the paper. Trace the outline of the magnet that way you
can put it back in the exact same spot if it gets bumped.
2. Place the compass at one pole of the magnet and make a dot next to it showing the direction the
compass arrow points.
3. Move the compass so that the base of the arrow is at the dot youve just made. Now make a new
mark where the tip of the arrow is pointing this time.
4. Connect the dots. As, the connection progresses, a representation of the magnetic field can be
seen
5. Keep doing this until you reach the other end of the magnet.
6. Repeat Steps 1 to 5 in a different spot as many as both magnet ends can .

B. Questions and Possible Answers

1. How does a magnet help a generator convert mechanical energy into electrical energy?
Answer: A generator works very much the same as you saw in the experiment. Inside a generator
is a magnet, some electrical wire, and a source of mechanical energy. The mechanical energy
moves the wire into the magnetic field of the magnet so that the wire cuts through the magnetic
lines of force. As a result, electric current is produced. Electric generators can come in all sizes.
Some electric generators are very big and contain huge magnets so they can produce a lot of
electricity. On the other hand, some generators contain small magnets and are small enough to
hold in your hand. These small generators may produce only enough electricity to light one small
light bulb.

2. What causes magnetism?

Answer: Magnetism is the force exerted by magnets when they attract or repel each other.
Magnetism is caused by the motion of electric charges. Every substance is made up of tiny units
called atoms. Each atom has electrons, particles that carry electric charges.

3. How does electricity produce magnetism?

Answer : Each electron is surrounded by a force called an electric field. When an electron moves,
it creates a second fielda magnetic field. When electrons are made to flow in a current through
a conductor, such as a piece of metal or a coil of wire, the conductor becomes a temporary
magnetan electromagnet.
4. How can the magnetic field protect the earth from being burned by the Sun?
Answer : Magnetic fields protect planets and atmospheres from solar particles. The particles from
the sun are charged, which means they respond to the magnetic field and move around it.
Magnetic fields are generated by the movement of magnetic material located inside the planet,
usually at the core. Earths magnetic field is generated by liquid metal at the core and Earths rapid
rotation of 24 hours generates enough movement of the liquid to stimulate a magnetic field.
5. If electricity produces magnetism, can magnets produce electricity?

Evaluation
1. How is electricity related to Magnetism?
Answer: Magnetism and electricity are closely related phenomena. Electric charge is a
fundamental property of matter. Matter is made up of electrons, neutrons, and protons. Electrons
have a negative electric charge, while protons have a positive electric charge; neutrons have no
electric charge. These tiny particles are the building blocks of atoms. An atom has a net positive
electric charge when it loses one of its electrons, and a net negative electric charge when it gains
an extra electron. On the other hand, magnetic charges do not exist - Magnetic fields are
generated solely by moving electric charges. An example of the relationship between electricity
and magnetism is the motor. In a motor, a voltage is applied across the terminals of a coil of wire.
The voltage causes the electrons in the wire to move, which in turn generates a current. This
current results in a magnetic field, which interacts with permanent magnets attached to the core
of the motor, causing it to move.

2. What are magnetic Poles?

Answer: Every magnet has a north magnetic pole and a south magnetic pole. These are the
places where the magnetic force is strongest. The laws of magnetism are that like (the same)
poles repel each other, and unlike (opposite) poles attract each other.

3. What is a magnetic Field?

Answer : A magnet creates a force in the space around it. The area in which the force operates
is the magnetic field. A magnetic field can be imagined as lines of force that spread out from
the magnets poles.
4. How is a magnetic field different from an electric field?
Answer: This is different from an electric field in that a charge experiences a force in an electric
field even when it is stationary. Also, the direction of the force in a magnetic field is
perpendicular to both the direction of the velocity and the magnetic field lines
5. What makes a permanent magnet?
Answer : In a permanent magnet, the magnetic poles of the domains point in the same
direction, so their magnetic fields reinforce one another. Magnetic material can be
magnetized by stroking it with a magnet to line up the domains. Heat or hammering shakes
the domains out of position, and the material loses its magnetism.