Magnetism and

Electromagnetism
 Magnetism and Magnetic Materials

• Magnetism is a force that can attract

(pull closer) or repel (push away)
objects that are magnetic.
• It is a property of certain substances
which pull closer or repel other
objects.
• The strongest parts of a magnet are
called its poles. Most magnets have
two poles. These are called north
pole and the south pole.
 Magnetic Materials

Iron Steel Cobalt Nickel

 Non Magnetic Materials

Plastic Wood Paper Rubber

 Attraction and Repulsion

If two similar poles are place near to each other they repel. If two
dissimilar (opposite) poles are place near to each other they
attract.
 Magnetically hard and soft materials

• Permanent magnets are made up of magnetically hard material

such as steel. A magnetically hard material retains its magnetism
once it has been magnetised.
• Iron is magnetically soft material and would not be suitable for a
permanent magnet. Magnetically soft material trend to lose their
magnetism once it has been magnetized. Hence they are useful
for temporary magnets.
 Magnetic Fields

• Around every magnet there is a volume of space where magnetism

can be detected. This volume of space is known as magnetic field.
• The magnetic field is the area around a magnet in which there
is magnetic force.
 Seeing Magnetic Field

1. Using iron fillings 2. Using compass

 Electromagnetism

• When a current flow through a wire a

magnetic field is created around the wire.
This phenomenon is called
electromagnetism.
• The field around the wire is quite weak and
circular in shape. The direction of the
magnetic field depends upon the direction of
the current.
Right-hand grip rule
Using Electromagnets
The Electric Bell
Circuit Breaker
The Relay Switch
 Electromagnets
and
Generating Electricity
 The Generator

• When we move a wire across a magnetic field, a voltage is

induced or generated in the wire. If the wire is a part of a
complete circuit, a current flows. This phenomenon is called
electromagnetic induction.
 Overlapping Magnetic Fields/Motor Effect

If we pass a current through a piece of wire held at right angles to

the magnetic field of a magnet the wire will move. This motion is
the result of a force created by overlapping magnetic fields around
the wire and the magnet.
When a current flows along a wire a cylindrical magnetic field is
created around the wire. If the wire is placed between the poles of
a magnet, the two fields overlap. In certain places, the fields are in
the same direction and so reinforce each other, producing a strong
magnetic field. In other places. the fields are in opposite directions,
producing a weaker field. The wire experiences a force, pushing it
from the stronger part of the field to the weaker part. This is called
the motor effect. A stronger force will be produced if the magnetic
field is stronger or if the current is increased.
Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule
 The Electric Motor

• As current passes around the loop of wire in, one side of it will
experience a force pushing it upwards. The other side will feel a
force pushing it downwards, so the loop will rotate. Because of
the split ring, when the loop is vertical, the connections to the
supply through the brushes swap over, so that the current flowing
through each side of the loop changes direction. The wire at the
bottom is now pushed upwards and the wire at the top is pushed
downwards — so the loop carries on turning. The arrangement of
brushes and split ring changes the direction of the current flowing
through the loop every half turn, which means that rotation can
be continuous.
 Practical Motors

Practical motors differ in several ways.

• The permanent magnets are replaced with
curved electromagnets capable of producing
very strong magnetic fields.
• The single loop is replaced with several coils
of wire wrapped on the same axis. This
makes the motor more powerful and allows it
to run more smoothly.
• The coils are wrapped on a laminated soft
iron core. This makes the motor more efficient
and more powerful.