Magnet: Magnetic field and magnetic field lines, Magnetic field due to a current

carrying conductor, Right hand thumb rule, Magnetic field due to current through a
circular loop. Magnetic field due to current in a solenoid.
Magnet is an object that attracts objects made of iron, cobalt and nickle. Magnet
comes to rest in North – South direction, when suspended freely.

Use of Magnets: Magnets are used

• in refrigerators.
• in radio and stereo speakers.
• in audio and video cassette players.
• in children’s toys and;
• on hard discs and floppies of computers.

Properties of Magnet

• A free suspended magnet always points towards the north and south
direction.
• The pole of a magnet which points toward north direction is called north
pole or north-seeking.
• The pole of a magnet which points toward south direction is called
south pole or south seeking.
• Like poles of magnets repel each other while unlike poles of magnets
attract each other.

Magnetic field: The area around a magnet where a magnetic force is experienced is
called the magnetic field. It is a quantity that has both direction and magnitude, (i.e.,
Vector quantity).

June 15, 2022 by Sastry CBSE

Magnetic field and field lines: The influence of force surrounding a magnet is called
magnetic field. In the magnetic field, the force exerted by a magnet can be detected
using a compass or any other magnet.
The magnetic field is represented by magnetic field lines.
The imaginary lines of magnetic field around a magnet are called field line or field
line of magnet. When iron fillings are allowed to settle around a bar magnet, they get
arranged in a pattern which mimicks the magnetic field lines. Field line of a magnet
can also be detected using a compass. Magnetic field is a vector quantity, i.e. it has
both direction and magnitude.

Direction of field line: Outside the magnet, the direction of magnetic field line is
taken from North pole to South Pole. Inside the magnet, the direction of magnetic
field line is taken from South pole to North pole.

Strength of magnetic field: The closeness of field lines shows the relative strength
of magnetic field, i.e. closer lines show stronger magnetic field and vice – versa.
Crowded field lines near the poles of magnet show more strength.

Properties of magnetic field lines

(i) They do not intersect each other.
(ii) It is taken by convention that magnetic field lines emerge from North pole and
merge at the South pole. Inside the magnet, their direction is from South pole to
North pole. Therefore magnetic field lines are closed curves.

Magnetic field lines due to current a current carrying straight conductor

A current carrying straight conductor has magnetic field in the form of concentric
circles, around it. Magnetic field of current carrying straight conductor can be shown
by magnetic field lines.
The direction of magnetic field through a current carrying conductor depends upon
the direction of flow electric current.

Let a current carrying conductor be suspended vertically and the electric current is
flowing from south to north. In this case, the direction of magnetic field will be
anticlockwise. If the current is flowing from north to south, the direction of magnetic
field will be clockwise.
The direction of magnetic field, in relation to direction of electric
current through a straight conductor can be depicted by using the Right Hand Thumb
Rule. It is also known as Maxwell’s Corkscrew Rule.

Right-Hand Thumb Rule: If a current carrying conductor is held by right hand,

keeping the thumb straight and if the direction of electric current is in the direction of
thumb, then the direction of wrapping of other fingers will show the direction of
magnetic field.

Maxwell’s Corkscrew rule: As per Maxwell’s Corkscrew Rule, if the direction of

forward movement of screw shows the direction of the current, then the direction of
rotation of screw shows the direction of magnetic field.

Properties of magnetic field

• The magnitude of magnetic field increases with increase in electric

current and decreases with decrease in electric current.
• The magnitude of magnetic field produced by electric current decreases
with increase in distance and vice – versa. The size of concentric circles
of magnetic field lines increases with distance from the conductor,
which shows that magnetic field decreases with distance.
• Magnetic field lines are always parallel to each other.
• No two field lines cross each other.

Magnetic field lines due to a current through a circular loop

In case of a circular current carrying conductor, the magnetic field is produced in the
same manner as it is in case of a straight current carrying conductor.
In case of a circular current carrying conductor, the magnetic field lines would be in
the form of iron concentric circles around every part of the FllmSs periphery of the
conductor. Since, magnetic field lines tend to remain closer when near to the
conductor, so the magnetic field would be stronger near the periphery of the loop. On
the other hand, the magnetic field lines would be distant from each other when we
move towards the centre of the current carrying loop. Finally, at the centre, the arcs
of big circles would appear as a straight line.

The direction of the magnetic field can be identified using Right Hand Thumb’s Rule.
Let us assume that the current is moving in anti-clockwise direction in the loop. In
that case, the magnetic field would be in clockwise direction, at the top of the loop.
Moreover, it would be in an anti-clockwise direction at the bottom of the loop.

Clock Face Rule: A current carrying loop works like a disc magnet. The polarity of
this magnet can be easily understood with the help of Clock Face Rule. If the current
is flowing in anti – clockwise direction, then the face of the loop shows north pole.
On the other hand, if the current is flowing in clockwise direction, then the face of the
loop shows south pole.

Magnetic field and number of turns of coil: Magnitude of magnetic field gets
summed up with increase in the number of turns of coil. If there are ‘n’ turns of coil,
magnitude of magnetic field will be ‘n’ times of magnetic field in case of a single turn
of coil.

The strength of the magnetic field at the centre of the loop(coil) depends on :
(i) The radius of the coil: The strength of the magnetic field is inversely proportional
to the radius of the coil. If the radius increases, the magnetic strength at the centre
decreases
(ii) The number of turns in the coil : As the number of turns in the coil increase, the
magnetic strength at the centre increases, because the current in each circular turn
is having the same direction, thus, the field due to each turn adds up.
(iii) The strength of the current flowing in the coil: As the strength of the current
increases, the strength of three magnetic fields also increases.

Magnetic field due to a current in a Solenoid: Solenoid is the coil with many circular
turns of insulated copper wire wrapped closely in the shape of a cylinder. A current
carrying solenoid produces similar pattern of magnetic field as a bar magnet. One
end of solenoid behaves as the north pole and another end behaves as the south
pole.

Magnetic field lines are parallel inside the solenoid, similar to a bar magnet, which
shows that magnetic field is same at all points inside the solenoid.
Magnetic field produced by a solenoid is similar to a bar magnet.
The strength of magnetic field is proportional to the number of turns and magnitude
of current.
By producing a strong magnetic field inside the solenoid, magnetic materials can be
magnetized. Magnet formed by producing magnetic field inside a solenoid is called
electromagnet.

Electromagnet, Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule, Electric motor, Electromagnetic induction,

Fleming’s right hand rule, Electric generator and domestic electic circuits.
Electromagnet: An electromagnet consists of a long coil of insulated copper wire
wrapped on a soft iron.
Magnet formed by producing magnetic field inside a solenoid is called
electromagnet.

Force on a current carrying conductor in a magnetic field: A current carrying

conductor exerts a force when a magnet is placed in its vicinity. Similarly, a magnet
also exerts equal and opposite force on the current carrying conductor. This was
suggested by Marie Ampere, a French Physicist and considered as founder of
science of electromagnetism.
The direction of force over the conductor gets reversed with the change in direction
of flow of electric current. It is observed that the magnitude of force is highest when
the direction of current is at right angles to the magnetic field.

Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule: If the direction of electric current is perpendicular to the

magnetic field, the direction of force is also perpendicular to both of them. The
Fleming’s Left Hand Rule states that if the left hand is stretched in a way that the
index finger, the middle finger and the thumb are in mutually perpendicular
directions, then the index finger and middle finger of a stretched left hand show the
direction of magnetic field and direction of electric current respectively and the
thumb shows the direction of motion or force acting on the conductor. The
directions of electric current, magnetic field and force are similar to three mutually
perpendicular axes, i.e. x, y, and z-axes.
Many devices, such as electric motor, electric generator, loudspeaker, etc. work on
Fleming’s Left Hand Rule.

Electric motor: A device that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy. It is of

two types : AC and DC Motor.
Electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy by using and electric motor.
Electric motor works on the basis of rule suggested by Marie Ampere and Fleming’s
Left Hand Rule.

Principle of Electric Motor: When a rectangular coil is placed in a magnetic field and
a current is passed through it, force acts on the coil, which rotates it continuously.
With the rotation of the coil, the shaft attached to it also rotates.
Construction: It consists of the following parts :

• Armature: It is a rectangular coil (ABCD) which is suspended between

the two poles of a magnetic field.
The electric supply to the coil is connected with a commutator.
• Commutator or Split – ring: Commutator is a device which reverses the
direction of flow of electric current through a circuit. It is two halves of
the same metallic ring.
• Magnet: Magnetic field is supplied bv a permanent magnet NS.
• Sliding contacts or Brushes Q which are fixed.
• Battery: These are consists of few cells.

Working: When an electric current is supplied to the coil of the electric motor, it gets
deflected because of magnetic field. As it reaches the halfway, the split ring which
acts as commutator reverses the direction of flow of electric current. Reversal of
direction of the current, reverses the direction of forces acting on the coil. The
change in direction of force pushes the coil, and it moves another half turn. Thus, the
coil completes one rotation around the axle. Continuation of this process keeps the
motor in rotation.

In commercial motor, electromagnet instead of permanent magnet and armature is

used. Armature is a soft iron core with large number of conducting wire turns over it.
Large number of turns of conducting wire enhances the magnetic field produced by
armature.

Uses of motors :

• Used in electric fans.

• Used for pumping water.
• Used in various toys.

Electromagnetic Induction: Michael Faraday, an English Physicist is supposed to

have studied the generation of electric current using a magnetic field and a
conductor.
Electricity production as a result of magnetism (induced current) is called
Electromagnetic Induction.

When a conductor is set to move inside a magnetic field or a magnetic field is set to
be changing around a conductor, electric current is induced in the conductor. This is
just opposite to the exertion of force by a current carrying conductor inside a
magnetic field. In other words, when a conductor is brought in relative motion vis – a
– vis a magnetic field, a potential difference is induced in it. This is known as
electromagnetic induction.

Fleming’s Right-Hand Rule: Electromagnetic induction can be explained with the

help of Fleming’s Right Hand Rule. If the right hand is structured in a way that the
index (fore ginger) finger, middle finger and thumb are in mutually perpendicular
directions, then the thumb shows direction of induced current in the conductor, in
conductor The directions of movement of conductor, magnetic field and induced
current can be compared to three mutually perpendicular axes, i.e. x, y and z axes.

The mutually perpendicular directions also point to an important fact that when the
magnetic field and movement of conductor are perpendicular, the magnitude of
induced current would be maximum.
Electromagnetic induction is used in the conversion of kinetic energy into electrical
energy.

Electric Generator: A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy is
called an electric generator.
Electric generators are of two types: AC generator and a DC generator. Principle of
electric generator: Electric motor works on the basis of electromagnetic induction.
Construction and Working: The structure of an electric generator is similar to that of
an electric motor. In case of an electric generator, a rectangular armature is placed
within the magnetic field of a permanent magnet. The armature is attached to wire
and is positioned in a way that it can move around an axle. When the armature
moves within the magnetic field, an electric current is induced. The direction of
induced current changes, when the armature crosses the halfway mark of its
rotation.

Thus, the direction of current changes once in every rotation. Due to this, the electric
generator usually produces alternate current, i.e. A.C. To convert an A.C generator
into a D.C generator, a split ring commutator is used. This helps in producing direct
current.
Electrical generator is used to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.

A.C and D.C Current

A.C – Alternate Current: Current in which direction is changed periodically is called
Alternate Current. In India, most of the power stations generate alternate current.
The direction of current changes after every 1/100 second in India, i.e. the frequency
of A.C in India is 50 Hz. A.C is transmitted upto a long distance without much loss of
energy is advantage of A.C over D.C.
D.C – Direct Current: Current that flows in one direction only is called Direct current.
Electrochemical cells produce direct current.
Advantages of A.C over D.C

• Cost of generatior of A.C is much less than that of D.C.

• A.C can be easily converted to D.C.
• A.C can be controlled by the use of choke which involves less loss of
power whereas, D.C can be controlled using resistances which involves
high energy loss.
• AC can be transmitted over long distances without much loss of energy.
• AC machines are stout and durable and do not need much maintenance.

Disadvantages of AC

• AC cannot be used for the electrolysis process or showing

electromagnetism as it reverses its polarity.
• AC is more dangerous than DC.

Domestic Electric Circuits: We receive electric supply through mains supported

through the poles or cables. In our houses, we receive AC electric power of 220 V
with a frequency of 50 Hz.
The 3 wires are as follows

• Live wire – (Red insulated, Positive)

• Neutral wire – (Black insulated, Negative)
• Earth wire – (Green insulated) for safety measure to ensure that any
leakage of current to a metallic body does not give any serious shock to
a user.

Short Circuit: Short-circuiting is caused by the touching of live wires and neutral wire
and sudden a large current flows.
It happens due to

• damage pf insulation in power lines.

• a fault in an electrical appliance.

Overloading of an Electric Circuit: The overheating of electrical wire in any circuit

due to the flow of a large current through it is called overloading of the electrical
circuit.
A sudden large amount of current flows through the wire, which causes overheating
of wire and may cause fire also.

Electric Fuse: It is a protective device used for protecting the circuit from short-
circuiting and overloading. It is a piece of thin wire of material having a low melting
point and high resistance.
 • Fuse is always connected to live wire.
• Fuse is always connected in series to the electric circuit.
• Fuse is always connected to the beginning of an electric circuit.
• Fuse works on the heating effect.

Magnetic field: The area around a magnet in which other magnet feels force of
attraction or repulsion is called Magnetic field.

Magnetic field lines: The closed curved imaginary lines in the magnetic field which
indicate the direction of motion of north pole in the magnetic field if a magnet is free
to do so.

Properties of magnetic field lines.

• Magnetic Field lines originate from the north pole of a magnet and end
at its south pole.
• Magnetic Field lines are denser near the poles but rarer at other places.
• The Magnetic Field lines do not intersect one another.

Oersted’s experiment: According to this experiment “A current carrying wire creates

a magnetic field around it. The direction of magnetic field depends on the direction
of current in conductor.”

• Magnetic field pattern due to straight current carrying conductor are

concentric circles whose center lie on the wire.
• The direction of magnetic field due to straight current carrying
conductor can be determined by Right hand thumb rule.

Right hand thumb rule: According to this rule “if current carrying conductor is held in
the right hand in such a way that thumb indicate the direction of current, then the
curled finger indicates the direction of magnetic field lines around conductor.”

Magnetic field pattern due to current carrying loop: The Magnetic field lines are
circular near the current-carrying loop. As we move away from the loop, field lines
form bigger and bigger circles. At the center of the circular loop, the magnetic field
lines are straight.
The solenoid is an insulated and tightly wound long circular wire having large
number of turns whose radius is small in comparison to its length. Magnetic field
produced by a solenoid is similar to the magnetic field produced by a bar magnet.

Current carrying solenoid is called an electromagnet.

Properties of magnetic lines of force or magnetic field lines.

• These lines originate from the north pole and end at the south pole.
• The magnetic field lines of a magnet form a continuous closed loop.
• Two magnetic lines of force do not intersect each other.
• The tangent at any point on the magnetic line gives the direction of the
magnetic field at the point.

Fleming’s left hand rule: According to this rule, “if the thumb, forefinger and middle
finger of the left hand are stretched perpendicular to each other and if the fore-finger
gives the direction of magnetic field, middle finger gives the direction of current, then
the thumb will give the direction of motion or the force acting on the current-carrying
conductor.”

Principle of an electric motor: A motor works on the principle that when a

rectangular coil is placed in a magnetic field and current passes through it, a force
acts on the coil which rotates it continuously.
When the coil rotates, the shaft attached to it also rotates. In this way the electrical
energy supplied to the motor is converted into the mechanical energy of rotation.

Principle of an electric generator: It is based on the principle of electromagnetic

induction. It states that “an induced current is produced in a coil placed in a region
where the magnetic field changes with time.” The direction of induced current is
given by Fleming’s right-hand rule. An electric generator converts mechanical energy
into electrical energy.

Electromagnetic induction: The phenomenon of setting up of an electric current or

an induced e.mi. by changing the magnetic lines of force by a moving conductor is
called electromagnetic induction.

Maxwell’s right hand thumb rule: The direction of the current is given by Maxwell’s
right-hand thumb rule, “If the current carrying conductor is gripped with the right
hand in such a way that the thumb gives the direction of the current, then the
direction of the fingers gives the direction of the magnetic field produced around the
conductor.

Fleming’s left-hand rule: The direction of motion of a conductor in a magnetic field

is given by Fleming’s left-hand rule. According to this rule, if the thumb, forefinger
and middle finger of the left hand are stretched perpendicular to each other and if
fore-finger gives the direction of the magnetic field and the middle finger gives the
direction of current then, the thumb will give the direction of the motion of the
conductor carrying the current.

Fleming’s right-hand rule: The direction of the induced current is given by Fleming’s
right-hand rule. According to this rule if the thumb, forefinger and middle finger of
the right hand are stretched perpendicular to each other and if the fore-finger gives
the direction of the magnetic field and the thumb gives the direction of motion, then
the middle finger will give the direction of the induced current in the conductor.