Electrodynamics Gr.11 Notes and Qs
Electrodynamics Gr.11 Notes and Qs
Electromagnetism describes the relationship between charges, currents and the electric and magnetic
fields associated with them. Examples of devices that use the principles of electromagnetism are
cellular telephones, microwaves, radios, televisions and many more.
𝑄
Electric current: rate of flow of charge, formula: 𝐼 = 𝑡
The charge carriers – in metals it is electrons, in electrolytes it is negative and positive charges.
The magnetic field produced by an electric current is always oriented perpendicular to the direction of
the current flow, i.e., the field lines are at right angles to the wire. (If there is no current there will be
no magnetic field).
When we draw directions of magnetic fields and currents, we use the symbols ⨀ and ⊗. The symbol
⨀ represents an arrow that is coming out of the page and the symbol ⊗ represents an arrow that is
going into the page.
An easy way of finding the relationship between the direction of the current flowing in a conductor
and the direction of the magnetic field around the same conductor is the right-hand rule (RHR). The
magnetic field lines produced by a current-carrying wire will be oriented in the same direction as the
curled fingers of a person’s right hand, and the thumb will be pointing in the direction that the current
is flowing.
The image below shows the magnetic field around a conductor when you look at the conductor from
one end. (Left) Current flows out of the page and the magnetic field is counter-clockwise. (Right)
Current flows into the page and the magnetic field is clockwise.
Another scenario below shows the magnetic fields around a conductor looking down on the
conductor. (Left) Current flows clockwise. (Right) current flows counter-clockwise.
The magnetic field inside the circle is stronger than outside as it is an interaction of the induced
magnetic fields of the ends of the conductor going in the same direction. Near the centre of the circle
the magnetic field is fairly uniform (field lines parallel).
The Magnetic Field Around a Current-Carrying Solenoid
A solenoid is a cylindrical coil of wire acting as a magnet when an electric current flows through the
wire. The magnetic field pattern around a solenoid is similar to the magnetic field pattern around the
bar magnet. The direction of the magnetic field is such that it points from South to North.
S N
Real-world Applications
Electromagnets: An electromagnet is a piece of wire intended to generate a magnetic field with the
passage of electric current through it. It is like a temporary magnet. Though all current-carrying
conductors produce magnetic fields, an electromagnet is usually constructed in such a way as to
maximise the strength of the magnetic field it produces for a special purpose. As an electrically-
controllable magnet, electromagnets form part of a wide variety of “electromechanical” devices:
machines that produce a mechanical force or motion through electrical power.
Electromagnetic Induction
Michael Faraday gave us the key to the practical generation of electricity: electromagnetic induction.
Faraday discovered that when he moved a magnet near a wire a voltage was generated across it. If the
magnet was held stationary no voltage was generated, the voltage only existed while the magnet was
moving. We call this voltage the induced emf (𝜀).
In order to study electromagnetic induction, we first need to look into magnetic flux.
Magnetic flux
For a loop of area, A, in the presence of a uniform magnetic field, B, the magnetic flux (𝜙) is defined
as:
𝜙 = 𝐵𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
Where, 𝜙= magnetic flux, B=magnetic flux density, A=area of the conductor and 𝜃=angle between the
magnetic flux density and the normal to the plane of the coil. The S.I. unit of magnetic flux is the
weber (Wb).
Below we have a magnetic field that is perpendicular (left image) and parallel (right image) to the
surface. The field parallel can’t induce a current because it doesn’t pass through the surface. (NB: The
magnetic field lines must pass through the area enclosed by the circuit loop for an emf to be
induced.)
A magnetic field at an angle other than perpendicular can be broken into components. The
component perpendicular to the surface has the magnitude 𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜃) where 𝜃 is the angle between
the normal and the magnetic field. As seen below:
Faraday’s Law
Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction: A changing magnetic field induces an emf in a conductor.
The magnitude of the emf is directly proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux.
∆𝜙
𝑒𝑚𝑓(𝜀) = −𝑁
∆𝑡
Where N=number of turns/loops of wire, ∆𝜙 = change in magnetic flux and ∆𝑡=time interval. The
minus sign (-) indicates that the emf produced leads to current with a magnetic field in a direction that
tends to oppose the change in magnetic field. This is known as Lenz’s law.
Lenz’s law: The emf induced in a coil of wire leads to current with a magnetic field that tends to
oppose the change in magnetic flux.
Thus, a change in magnetic flux (caused by a moving magnet or moving or rotating conductor or
changing area) results in an emf induced in the wire.
The induced current flows only while there is a change in the magnetic flux linkage. The magnitude of
the induced current can be increased by:
NB: The induced current will always oppose the change that is taking place. In the first picture (left)
the circuit loop has the south pole of a magnet moving closer. The magnitude of the field from the
magnet is getting larger. To resist the change from an approaching south pole from above, the current
must result in field lines that move away from the approaching pole. In the second picture (right) the
south pole is moving away. This means that the field from the magnet will be getting weaker. The
response from the induced current will be to set up a magnetic field that adds to the existing one from
the magnetic to resist it decreasing in strength.
Another way to think of the same feature is just using poles. To resist an approaching south pole the
current that is induced creates a field that looks like another south pole on the side of the
approaching south pole. Like poles repel, so you can think of the current setting up a south pole to
repel the approaching south pole. In the right image, the current sets up a north pole to attract the
south pole to stop it moving away.
In the case where a north pole is brought towards the solenoid the current will flow so that a north
pole is established at the end of the solenoid closest to the approaching magnet to repel it.
In the case where a north pole is moving away from the solenoid the current will flow so that a south
pole is established at the end of the solenoid closest to the receding magnet to attract it:
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3