Magnetism

A phenomenon due to the presence of

magnetic domains caused by the alignment of
electron spins.

This phenomenon of matter was first

observed in Magnesia, Asia Minor (now
Turkey) through large deposits of black
stones known as lodestone (magnetite)

Nature of Magnets
Thales of Miletus first described that magnets
is composed of two poles. This was described
after suspending a piece of lodestone through
a string. He noticed that the stone always
point to the geographic north pole.
Poles are regions in a magnet where the
magnetic lines of force are strongest or
concentrated.
Magnetic lines of force always originate from
the north pole of a magnet. These lines of
force always face toward the south pole of a
magnet.

Magnetic Field
An area in space where magnetic flux (a
collection of magnetic lines of force) exist.
Magnetic Strength (B)
This is a quantity that describes the
distribution of the magnetic lines of force ()
across an area of space (A).
This is expressed in tesla (T) or weber per
square meter (Wb/m2). Tesla is the SI unit for
magnetic strength named after Nikola Tesla.
Mathematically, magnetic strength can be
represented as:
=

Like poles repel. Unlike poles attract.

A monopole magnet does not exist.

The Earth as a Magnet

Our planet can also be considered as a large
magnet.

The magnetism is caused by the alignment of

electron spins located at the inner core of the
planet.
The alignment is caused by the tremendous
heat and pressure of the earths interior.
The north pole of the earths magnetic field is
south in nature. It is located 23.5 from the
geographic north pole.

=
=
= ()

The mathematical statement implies that

there is a direct relationship between
magnetic strength and magnetic flux. On the
other hand, magnetic strength varies
inversely with area.

The Link Between Electricity and Magnetism

In 1821, Hans Christian Oersted, a Danish
physicist discovered accidentally the
deflection of a compass needle when placed
near a current-carrying conductor.
When he placed the wire around the
periphery of the current-carrying wire, the
compass needle follows a definite direction.

When Oersted tried to change the direction of

electric current passing the wire, the

direction to which the compass needle

deflected also changed.
Significance of Oersteds Observations
A current-carrying conductor can be a direct
source of magnetic field
A temporary magnet that can be switched on
and off is possible. We call this nowadays as
electromagnet.
How to determine the direction of the currentcarrying conductors magnetic field?

=
F in newtons
I in amperes
L in meters
B in tesla or N/Am

The Right-Hand Rule is a model used to

determine the direction of the magnetic field
produced by a current-carrying wire. It says
that when you grasp a current-carrying wire
with your right hand,
o The thumb represents the direction of
electric current
o The other four fingers represent the
direction of the magnetic field.

What happens when a current-carrying wire

when subjected to an external magnetic field?
Since a current-carrying wire possesses a
magnetic field of its own, it will interact with
present magnetic field.

The strength of external magnetic

field (B)
This relationship can be expressed
mathematically using the following equation:

This led to development of a device that

converts electrical energy (the current
passing through the wire surrounded by an
external magnetic field) into mechanical
energy (the movement of the wire).
We call this as a motor.
Examples of appliances with motors are
electric fans, washing machines and farming
equipment.

How to determine the direction of the force

applied on a wire subject to an external magnetic
field?
The left hand rule is used to determine the
force applied on a current-carrying wire to an
external magnetic field by using the left hand
rule.

This states that when a current-carrying

conductor subjected to an external magnetic
field is grasped by the left hand,
o The thumb represents the direction of
electric current,
o The other four fingers represent the
direction of the magnetic field, and
o The palm represents that direction of
the magnetic force.

So we were able to prove that electricity can

produce magnetic field. Is it now possible to do the
reverse to convert magnetic field into electricity?

If both like poles of each magnet interact, the

wire will be squashed away by the external
magnetic field.
The strength of magnetic force is dependent
on the following factors:
o The length of the current-carrying
wire exposed to an external magnetic
field (L);
o The amount of current passing
through the wire (I); and

Michael Faraday
An English physicist who made a significant
contribution in the field of electromagnetism.
In 1835, he was able to determine how
magnetic fields can create electric current.
What was Faradays setup?
A solenoid (loop of wire) is connected to a
galvanometer (a device that detects the
presence of electric current)

The galvanometers needle swings at a faster

rate, more electric current is present.

When a magnet is continuously moved inside

the coil of wire, the needle of the
galvanometer swings at a faster rate.

Significance of Faradays Observation

He was able to prove that a changing
magnetic field is capable of producing electric
current.
The stronger the magnetic field in motion,
greater electric current is generated.
This phenomenon is known as
electromagnetic induction.
These findings led Faraday to invent a device
that converts mechanical energy (movement
of the magnet) into electrical energy (the
continuous swinging the galvanometers
needle).
This device is known as the generator.

magnetic field changes its direction, the more

electric current is generated
Transformer
Not all appliances are designed to operate at a
single voltage supply. Some may require
lower or higher than the usual electric supply
generated by a power plant.
A device that can converts electric supply to
higher or lower voltage is needed to serve
this purpose.
This device is known as the transformer.

Faradays first generator was known as the

dynamo.
A generator can be described as a motor
working in reverse.

Factors Affecting Electromagnetic Induction

Strength of the magnet the stronger the
magnet the more electric current is generated
Number of loops in a wire more loops, more
electric current is generated
The rate (velocity) by which the source of
magnetic field is moving the faster a

This is composed of an iron core with two

coils primary and secondary.
The primary coil is where electric supply
enters the transformer.
The secondary coil is where electricity at
desired voltage exits the transformer.
Each coil is composed of coils of wire.
There are two kinds of transformer.
o Step-up transformer
Converts electricity from
lower voltage to higher
voltage (e.g. 110 V to 220 V
Has more coils of wire at the
secondary coil
o Step-down transformer
Converts electricity from
higher voltage to lower
voltage (e.g. 220 V to 110 V)
Has less coils of wire at the
secondary coil
There is a mathematical relationship between
number of coils and voltage in a transformer.

np is the number of loops in the primary coil

ns is the number of loops in the secondary coil
Ein is the voltage input
Eout is the voltage output

Power Generation, Transmission and

Distribution
Electricity is a very important commodity
among consumers since our lives have
heavily depended on this form of energy.
Through the interactions of motors,
generators and transformers, people were
able to generate, transmit and distribute
electricity to different households.

A power plant has a big generator. The source

of magnetic field is connected to a turbine.
This part should be continuously moved so
that electromagnetic induction is possible.
One way of moving the turbine is by letting
steam pass through it. Because of the
pressure exerted by steam, the turbine
rotates.

To turn water into steam, a fuel is needed. In

our country, the principal fuel used to turn
water into steam is coal because of its cheap
price.
The generated electricity is passed through
high tension cables and sent through very
high voltages.
This is to avoid too much loss of energy as
heat because of the resistance of wires.
Higher voltage leads to higher current. Higher
current means less resistance. Less resistance
means minimized conversion of electrical
energy into heat.
The generated electricity is converted into
different voltages through substations with
large transformers.
As the electricity passes through the
household, it is then consumed to make some
of our appliances and gadgets work.

Problems Related to Power Generation

Excessive burning of fossil fuels lead to too
much emission of pollutants in the
atmosphere (most of which are greenhouse
gases which contribute to global warming).
Our country imports fossil fuel to augment
our need for electrical supply. Therefore,
there must be measures done on how to
minimize the cost of generating electricity by
using alternative sources of energy like
o Geothermal energy
The heat from the earths
interior is trapped to drive the
turbine. Examples are the
geothermal plants located in
Albay and Leyte
o Hydroelectric energy
The energy of waves
generated by bodies of water
through dams is used to
propel the turbine of a power
plant.
o Biogas/Biofuel
The gas produced by decaying
matter mostly composed of
methane (natural gas) is used

as fuel to turn water into

steam.
Wind Energy
Wind turbines generated by
moving air is used to supply
electricity. An example of are
the wind turbines located in
Ilocos Norte.

Cost of Electric Consumption

Electricity is not for free. Power generating
companies charge cost for our electric
consumption.
A device (appliance or gadget) has a specific
power rating. This describes how much
energy is dissipated per unit time.
Power plants usually measure our rate of
electric consumption in terms of kilowatthour (kwh). This refers to the amount of
electrical power in kilowatts consumed in an
hour.
To determine the rate of electrical
consumption, the power rating of the device
in kilowatts is multiplied with the number of
hours it was used.
Since power generating companies sell their
electricity in kwh, this multiplied to the rate
by which they sell the electricity (pesos per
kilowatt hour)
Here is an example
Suppose that a 40-W bulb is used for 8 hours
and the power generating company sells
electricity at a rate of Php 14.00/kwh, how
much does the consumer have to pay for the
electricity used in using the light bulb?
1. Convert the power rating to kilowatt.
40 W x

1 kw
= 0.040 kw
1000 W

2. Multiply the power rating in kilowatt

to the number of hours the device was
used.
0.040 kw x 8 hours = 0.32 kwh
3. Multiply the rate of power
consumption in kwh, with the rate by
which electricity is sold.
0.32 kwh x

Php 14.00
= Php 4.48
kwh

This means that when you used a 40-W light

bulb for eight hours, you will pay four pesos
and forty-eight centavos (Php 4.48).
Always remember that if an appliance or
device has higher power rating, it consumes a
lot of electricity which results to higher
electric bills. Better choose appliances with
lower power rating.
In your own little ways, you can do things
that can save some money for electrical
consumption. What do you think are these
ways? Well its for you to find out.