Describing a magnetic field

Field lines indicate both direction and magnitude

(strength) of a magnetic field.

Bar magnet

Magnetic flux density (‘field strength’) has symbol B, unit tesla.

Magnetising & demagnetising
Make a magnet
• by stroking
• by using DC coil carrying current
• by tapping while aligned with the Earth’s field

Demagnetise a magnet
• by dropping or banging randomly
• by heating
• by applying a diminishing AC current
Magnetic induction
A permanent magnet can induce temporary magnetism
in a ‘soft’ magnetic material.
• This causes attraction, but cannot cause repulsion.
• Use repulsion to test if an object is already magnetised.
James Clerk Maxwell Michael Faraday

Electromagnetism
Electromagnetic Induction
Electromagnetic Waves
Activity: Electromagnet
 Electromagnetism
• Electricity and magnetism are different
facets of electromagnetism
–a moving electric charge produces
magnetic fields
–changing magnetic fields move electric
charges
• This connection was elucidated by
Faraday, Maxwell
Spring 2008 6
Discovery of Electromagnetism
 Electromagnets
• electromagnet – temporary magnet
made by wrapping a current-carrying
wire around an iron core

– the center of an electromagnet is called the

core
• it is often made of iron
 Electromagnets
• as long as current is flowing, an
electromagnet has a magnetic
field

• when current is turned off, there

is no longer a magnetic field
 Electromagnets
• there are two ways to make an electromagnet
stronger

– increasing the number of coils

– increasing the amount of current

 Electromagnets
• changing the direction of an electric
current causes the poles of an
electromagnet to reverse

–this feature is important in the

production of electric motors
 The Electromagnetic Connection
• A changing magnetic field produces an electric field, and
a changing electric field produces a magnetic field.
• Electric and Magnetic fields can produce forces on
charges
• An accelerating charge produces electromagnetic waves
(radiation)
• Both electric and magnetic fields can transport energy
– Electric field energy used in electrical circuits, e.g., released in
lightning
– Magnetic field carries energy through transformer, for example

Spring 2008 13
 Electromagnetic Radiation

• Interrelated electric and magnetic fields traveling through space

• All electromagnetic radiation travels at c = 3108 m/s in
vacuum – the cosmic speed limit!
– real number is 299792458.0 m/s exactly

Spring 2008 14
Examples of Electromagnetic Radiation
• AM and FM radio waves (including TV signals)
• Cell phone communication links
• Microwaves
• Infrared radiation
• Light
• X-rays
• Gamma rays

Spring 2008 15
 Uses of Electromagnetic Waves
• Communication systems
– One-way and two-way
• Radar
• Cooking (with microwaves)
• Medical Imaging (X rays)
• “Night Vision” (infrared)
• Astronomy (radio, wave, IR, visible, UV, gamma)

All that we experience through our eyes is conveyed by

electromagnetic radiation…

Spring 2008 16
 Application of
Electromagnetic
induction
GENERATOR
MOTOR
TRANSFORMERS
 B= s=r
M

“ MARKET

B=S k=l

SALE
--EYE

B=M
--s

MAG NET
B=C

COIL
 DR=SHA

SHAFT
i=u

--ti

brush
 --dic
--nication

COMMUTATOR
 What is a generator?
A generator operates on the
principle of electromagnetic
induction.
A generator is a device that
converts mechanical energy
to electrical energy.
A generator that produces current that flows in
only one direction is a DC, or direct-current
generator.
It is consisted by the following parts:
Magnet field-A permanent magnet produces a
magnetic field through which the coil is rotated.
Armature-the armature rotates through the
magnetic field, cutting the lines of magnetic
force. This produces an electric current within
the armature coil.
Commutator-The commutator is attached to
the coil. In a simple DC generator, this is a pair
of split rings. The commutator transfers the
current from the wire coil to the brushes. In a
DC generator, the commutator keeps the current
at the brushes positive.
Brushes-The brushes are in constant contact
with the commutator and are attached to the
wires leading from the generator. The
commutator spins while the brushes remain
stationary, transferring current from the
commutator.
Shaft-The shaft transfers mechanical energy to
the generator and turns the coil through the
magnetic field. The shaft may be turned by a
turbine that operates with water, steam or air, or
by other means
Single Loop DC Generator
Microphones
A microphone works when
sound waves enter the filter
of a microphone. Inside the
filter, a diaphragm is
vibrated by the sound waves
which in turn moves a coil
of wire wrapped around a
magnet. The movement of
the wire in the magnetic
field induces a current in
the wire. Thus sound waves
can be turned into
electronic signals and then
amplified through a speaker.
 Transformers
Probably one of the greatest inventions of all time is the transformer. AC
Current from the primary coil moves quickly BACK and FORTH (thus
the idea of changing!) across the secondary coil. The moving magnetic
field caused by the changing field (flux) induces a current in the
secondary coil.

If the secondary coil has MORE turns than

the primary you can step up the voltage
and runs devices that would normally
need MORE voltage than what you have
coming in. We call this a STEP UP
transformer.

We can use this idea in reverse as well to

create a STEP DOWN transformer.
Application of the Principles of
Electricity and Magnetism:
Final Output in Physics 2
• Have a brainstorming of the improvised
device/machines or material that will exhibit
the property/effects of electricity, magnetism
or both.
• Make a blueprint of your desired output
together with its objectives/goal, materials to
be used.