ELECTROMAGNETISM

Reviewing Magnets
 Magnets are made from magnetic materials and attract magnetic materials.
 Examples of magnetic materials are:
Iron, Steel, Nickel and Cobalt
 Non – magnetic materials are such as;
Plastic, Wood, Rubber, Paper, Glass, most metals e.g. copper, brass, gold, etc.
 Soft magnetic materials e.g. iron
(i) magnetize and demagnetize easily
- used to form temporary magnets e.g. in electromagnets
(ii) form powerful magnets
 Hard magnetic materials e.g. steel
(i) are hard to magnetize and demagnetize
- they are used to form permanent magnets
(ii) form weak magnets
 A magnet has 2 poles, a North (N) pole and a South (S) pole
 Unlike poles attract while Like poles repel
 Magnetic field lines fields are lines of force that form around a magnet
 Magnetic field lines come out from a N – pole and enter the S – pole of a magnet

Forming a UNIFORM field between two magnets

Get two bar magnets and hold the opposite poles (i.e. North and South) very close
to each other.
- This cause an attraction and produce a uniform field.

 uniform magnetic field has parallel and equally spaced magnetic field lines.

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Magnetic effects of an Electric Current

 When a charged particle (proton or electron) is moving, magnetic fields form around
the particle.
 Current flowing through a wire is the flow of electrons therefore when current flows
through a wire (conductor), magnetic fields are formed around the wire. This
phenomenon is called ELECTROMAGNETISM.

1. Field due to a current in a STRAIGHT wire

 Circular magnetic fields form around a wire when current flows through it

 Iron filing sprinkled on the card around the wire can be used to show the
circular field pattern formed
 A plotting compass can be used to show direction of the field formed

Using the Right Hand Grip rule to find direction of field around

The CIRCULAR field patterns;

(a) For a current flowing out of (b) For current flowing down into
the page of the page

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 2. Field due to a flat COIL

To increase the strength of the field

(i) increase the size of current in the coil
(ii) increase the number of turns of coil

3. Field due to a current in a SOLENOID

 Field pattern formed is similar to that of a bar magnet

 Right Hand Grip Rule can be used to show direction of the field formed

To increase the strength of the field

(i) increase the size of current in the solenoid
(ii) increase the number of turns of coil
(iii) insert a soft iron into the solenoid

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 Electromagnets

A Solenoid with a soft magnetic material (SOFT IRON) core forms an

ELECTROMAGNET when current is passed through it.

Soft iron core

 Soft iron is suitable for the core since soft iron magnetizes and demagnetizes
easily as current is switched ON and OFF making it easy to switch the
electromagnet ON and OFF.
 The copper wire used for the coil has an insulation on it that to the eye, the
wire appears ‘naked’.
 the insulation on the wire helps to separate the coils to avoid short-
circuiting

NB: Reversing the direction of current in the solenoid reverses the poles of the
electromagnet formed

To increase the strength of the field

(i) increase the size of current in the solenoid

(ii) increase the number of turns of the coil

Benefits of Electromagnets over Permanent magnets

(i) Electromagnets form powerful magnets than permanent magnets

(ii) The magnetic strength of an electromagnet can be controlled
(by varying size of current)

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 Some Applications of Electromagnets

1.) The Electric Bell

- when the switch is closed, current flows and turns on the electromagnet,
- the electromagnet pulls the iron strip with a hammer to hit the gong,
- the contacts open as the hammer moves to hit the gong,
- the electromagnet is switched off when the contacts open
- the iron strip springs back to close the contacts so that the process
repeats itself as

2.) Circuit breaker

- if excess current flow in the circuit, a stronger electromagnet is formed

- an excess flow of current in the circuit causes a stronger electromagnet
to form
- the electromagnet pulls the soft iron armature
- the spring pulls to open the contact. Gap creates in the circuit.
- current stops flowing
- the circuit breaker is reset using the reset button
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 Also applicable in,
3.) Electromagnetic cranes,
- easy for picking and releasing loads
4.) Electromagnetic doors,
- latch is opened using an electromagnet
5.) Relay switches,
- e.g. for operating circuits with large current remotely using a circuit with
a smaller current.

Electric Motors and Electromagnetic Induction

The motor effect

When current is passed through a wire (conductor) placed in a magnetic field, the
wire experiences a force that may cause the wire to move.
- This effect is called the Motor effect.

- This is the production of movement from electricity

CURRENT + FIELD = MOVEMENT

 From the diagram, the section of the wire within the magnetic field experiences
a force when current is passed through it, a force that causes the wire to move.
 The force is due to the overlapping fields due to magnet and due to current

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 uniform field of field due to resultant field due
magnet current in a wire to overlapping

 Direction of movement of the wire depends on the direction magnetic field

and current

- if these two directions are known, the Fleming’s Left – Hand Rule is
used to determine direction of Movement of the wire.

Fleming’s Left – hand Rule

ThuMb – direction of Force (Thrust) and

Movement

First finger – direction of magnetic field

seCond finger – direction of current

Applications of the MOTOR effect

The motor effect is used in e.g.
(a) Electric motors
(b) Moving coil loud speakers

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Turning effect on a coil in a magnetic field

b c

a d

 the two arms of the coil ab and cd carry current in opposite directions hence
experience forces in opposite directions.
 The two forces produce a torque leading to a rotational movement.
 This is used in the application of rotating electric motors.

(a) A simple d.c Motor

b c

a d
d a

M N M N

 The coils of the motor will rotate continuously as long as current stays ON.

(a) CARBON BRUSHES – link the coils to the power supply

(b) COMMUTATORS (SPLIT RING) – enable continuous rotations of the coil in a
given direction.

 Brush M and N remain connected to the same terminals throughout.

 The commutators switch positions from one brush to the other.
- This ensures that the segment of the coil that moves onto the right (or
left) of the coil maintains current in a particular direction so that
direction of force and motion is maintained for either segment.
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 To increase the speed of rotation (or power) of the Motor

(a) Increase the size of current in the coil

(b) Increase the strength of the magnetic field
(c) Increase the number if turns of the coil

Practical Motors

1.) Have several sets of coils with each set connected to its own pair of commutators.
- ensures a smooth and continuous rotation.
2.) Coils are wound around a soft iron core.
- increases the strength of the magnetic field around the coil.
3.) They use electromagnets instead of permanent magnets.
- electromagnets are more powerful than permanent magnets
4.) Can use an a.c power supply
- direction of current and field change the at the same time hence direction of
rotation is maintained.

(b) A moving coil loud Speaker

 A moving coil loud speaker uses the motor effect to change energy transferred
electrically into kinetic energy transferred as sound.
 Signals from a source e.g. an amplifier are fed into the coil as pulses of current of
different sizes and direction. The cone connected to the coils vibrates due to
vibration of the coil to produce sound.

NB: Motors can be used in e.g. Electric fans, Electric drills, Electric cranes, Fruit and
vegetable blenders, DVD players, etc.

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 Electromagnetic Induction

Electromagnetic induction - is the effect where voltage and current is

induced in a conductor where there is a changing magnetic field around the
conductor.

When a wire is moved so that it cuts through a magnetic field, voltage is induced
in the wire causing current to flow in the wire.

This is the production of electricity from movement;

MOVEMENT + FIELD = CURRENT

There would be NO induced voltage and current if:

(i) The wire is not moved

(ii) If the wire is moved parallel to the magnetic fields

 A galvanometer (centre ZERO) is used to detect the flow of current in the conductor
(wire).

 The pointer of the galvanometer points to zero when there is NO induced voltage
and current
 When the wire is moved OR the magnet is moved and there is induced voltage
and current, the pointer deflects. The direction of deflection depends on the
direction of the induced current.
 Fleming Right Hand Rule is used to show directions of Movement, Field and
induced Current.

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 To increase the size of induced Voltage and Current

i.) Move the wire faster

ii.) Use a stronger magnet
iii.) Increase the number of loops of the wire (to increase length of wire in the
magnetic field)

Induced voltage and current in a coil/solenoid

 When the magnet is pushed into the coil, the magnetic fields cut through the wire
and voltage and current is induced.
 This effect is also achieved by moving the coil towards the magnet so that the wire
cuts through magnetic fields.

To increase the size of the induced voltage and current;

i.) Move the magnet faster
ii.) Use a stronger magnet
iii.) Increase the number of turns of the coil

NB:
i.) Direction of induced current changes when the magnet moves in the opposite
direction OR when for the same direction magnetic poles are reversed.
ii.) The direction of the induced current can be determined using the Lenz’s Law,
that states;

The induced current is always in a direction such that it

opposes the change producing it.

- The diagram above shows current is induced as the magnet is moved

away from the coil therefore the end of the coil nearer to the magnet
forms a N – pole that attracts the magnet to try and stop it from moving
away. The reverse takes place when magnet is moved towards the coil.

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 Generators

Generators make use of electromagnetic induction where either,

i.) A magnet rotates within a coil of wire, or,
ii.) A coil rotates within a magnetic field.

(a) A Dynamo

A dynamo is a small generator that is used to generate electricity for a bicycle light.

rotating knob

soft iron core

axle
rotating magnet
coil

to bicycle lights

 The rotating wheels of the bicycle are used to rotate a magnet in the dynamo.
 As the magnet turns, its magnetic fields also turn hence cutting through the coil
therefore inducing voltage and current in it.

(b) A Simple Rotating Coil D.C Generator

 The coil rotates and cuts through magnetic fields of the permanent magnets therefore
inducing voltage and current in the coil.
 The generator uses commutators (split rings) so that one brush always connects to
the segment of the coil that is cutting fields upwards while the other brush on a
segment that is cutting fields downwards so that the output is a D.C output.

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 To increase the size of the induced voltage;

a) Rotate the coils faster

b) Use stronger magnets
c) Increase the number of turns of the coil

(c) An Alternator

An alternator is an A.C Generator

- A.C generators use slip rings. A ring maintains contact with just one brush
with its segment of the coil cutting the magnetic fields UP and DOWN
alternately hence producing A.C

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 Transformers and the National Grid

 A transformer is a device that is used to change the size of voltage.

 A transformer is made up of three parts;
(a) The PRIMARY COIL (i.e. the INPUT COIL)
(b) The SECONDARY COIL (i.e. the OUTPUT COIL)
(c) A SOFT IRON CORE

 In the process of changing voltage, energy is transferred from the primary to the
secondary coil by mutual induction

 There are two types of transformers;

(a) A Step – down transformer
- This type of a transformer is used to decrease voltage from a high value
to a low value

- This type of a transformer has fewer turns of coil on its secondary

(output) side than on its primary.

(b) A Step – up transformer

- This type of a transformer is used to increase voltage from a low value
to a high value

- This type of a transformer has more turns of coil on its secondary

(output) side than on its primary.

Below are the electrical symbols for the two types of transformer.

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 How a transformer works

An alternating current passes through the primary coil. This produces a

changing (alternating) magnetic field that cuts through the secondary coil.
This induces voltage and current in the secondary coil.

NB:
- At transformer can only work with an A.C supply. A.C that can produce a
changing magnetic field.
- A D.C supply e.g. from batteries cannot produce a changing magnetic field that
is needed for electromagnetic induction in the secondary coil.

Use of parts of a transformer

1. Primary coil – uses electricity to produce changing magnetic fields
2. Secondary coil – uses changing magnetic field to produce electricity
3. Soft iron core – strengthens the magnetic field around the secondary coil (i.e. links
the secondary coil with maximum magnetic fields produced by the primary coil)

NB: The insulation on the wire used for the windings of a transformer prevents short
circuiting through the turns or the core.

The Transformer Equation

The voltage ratio of a transformer = the turns ratio of the transformer.

𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑖𝑙

=
𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑖𝑙

𝑉𝑝 𝑛𝑝
i.e. =
𝑉𝑠 𝑛𝑠

where,
- 𝑽𝒑 is the voltage in the primary (input) coil.
- 𝑽𝒔 is the voltage in the secondary (output) coil.
- 𝒏𝒑 is the number of turns on the primary coil.
- 𝒏𝒔 is the number of turns on the secondary coil
NB:
 In a step-up transformer, Vs > Vp.
 In a step-down transformer, Vs < Vp.

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 Example
A transformer is connected to a 230 V mains supply. The transformer has 11,500 turns
on its primary coil and 600 turns on its secondary coil. Calculate the voltage obtained
from the secondary coil.

Solution
𝑉𝑝 𝑛𝑝
=
𝑉𝑠 𝑛𝑠
230 11500
=
𝑉𝑠 600

𝑉𝑠 = 230 ×600
11500
= 12 V
Exercise
1. A transformer has 1000 windings on the primary coil and 2000 windings on the
secondary coils. If the input voltage is 12v a.c., what is the output voltage?

2. A transformer has an input voltage of 240v a.c. and output voltage of 12v a.c. If it
has 5,000 turns in the primary coil how many turns does it have in the secondary
coil?

Power and Current in a Transformer

 Assuming that a transformer is IDEAL i.e. 100 % efficient – with no loss of energy,
then,

𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒑𝒖𝒕 = 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒑𝒖𝒕

i.e. 𝑰𝒑 × 𝑽𝒑 = 𝑰𝒔 × 𝑽𝒔

Example

A transformer is connected to a 230 V a.c supply and is used to run a 12 V 36 W lamp

normally. Calculate the size of current in the primary coil.

Solution

𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟

𝐼𝑝 × 230 = 36
36
𝐼𝑝 =
230

= 0.16 𝐴

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Exercise

A transformer converts 11 500 V into 230 V. The power output is used to run an
electric kettle normally. The current flowing in the primary coil is 0.2 A.

(a) What type of a transformer is this transformer?

(b) Calculate the current in the secondary coil.
(c) What is the power output of the transformer?
(d) What is the power rating of the kettle?
(e) What assumption have you made in your calculations above?

Power losses in Practical Transformers.

 No transformer is 100% efficient.
 Energy losses in a transformer are mainly in form of Heat due to the following

1.) Heating up of coils due to electrical resistance

2.) Work done in magnetization and demagnetization of the core
3.) Creation of Eddy currents that generate heat in the core.

Reducing Loss of Energy

 Use low resistance wire for the coil
 Use soft iron for the core. This allows for easy magnetization and demagnetization.
 Use a laminated core to reduce eddy currents.

Power Generation and the National Grid System

 Electricity generated from the power stations is transported to reach consumers

over very long distances via overhead or underground electrical cables in a
network called The National Grid.

 Current passing through the electric cables generate heat in the cables. This is
due to the electrical resistance of the cables.
 Heat generated in the cables is lost to the surrounding. This means that some of
the energy being transported electrically is lost.
 If current is too high in the cables, a lot of energy is then lost in form of heat.
 To reduce the energy/power loss, the current in the cable needs to be as small as
possible.
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  A STEP – UP TRANSFORMER is connected at the power station just before
transmission takes place.
 The STEP – UP transformer is used to increase voltage to thousands of volts (about
400,000 V) so that current is as small as possible hence reducing amount of
energy lost during transmission.
 Before distributing electricity to homes and factories, STEP – DOWN transformers
are used to reduces voltages to smaller and safer values.

NB:
1.) Step – down transformers are found at sub – stations, near homes/schools/
hospitals, etc.
2.) Step up transformers are mainly found at power stations

3.) Apart from reducing energy losses, use of step – up transformers allows use of
thinner wires for the cables. This reduces cost of installation of the cables.

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