1 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

Magnetic Field: The space around the current carrying conductor within which its
influence can be felt by the magnetic needle is called Magnetic field of the current
carrying conductor.

When a charge particle is moving in a uniform magnetic field it experiences a

force called magnetic force,
This force is,
1) Directly proportional to the magnitude of charge
2) Directly proportional to the velocity of the charge.
3) Directly proportional to the magnetic field
4) Directly proportional to the sine of angle between the direction of motion of
charge and magnetic field.

Then, F=qvB sin 

This is the expression for the force experienced by a charge particle moving in a
uniform magnetic field.

Definition of Tesla.
Consider: 
When q=1C, v=1ms-1 =900, F=1N
Then B=1 T
The Magnetic field at a point is said to be one tesla when one coulomb of
charge is moving with a velocity of 1 ms-1 in the direction perpendicular to
the field experiences a force of 1N.
Note :-
1) When the velocity of charge is zero i.e v = 0 then the magnetic force is also zero.
2) When the charge is moving parallel to the magnetic field i.e.  = 0, the force
experienced by the charge is also zero.
3) When the charge is moving in a direction perpendicular to the direction of
magnetic field i.e, =900 then
F= qvB
i.e The force experienced by the charge is maximum
4) Consider F= qvB Sin  when q= 1C, v=1ms-1,  = 900 the F = B
The magnetic field at a point is defined as the force experienced by a unit
positive charge moving with a unit velocity in the direction perpendicular to
the field, this is the definition of magnetic field.
5)The SI unit of Magnetic field is Tesla( T ) or Webber / m2 [ wbm-2].
Gauss is also a unit of magnetic field (10-4 T )
6) The Dimensional formula for ‘B’ is [MA-1T2]
7) A stationary charge is surrounded by electric field only; where as a moving
electriccharge is surrounded by both electric and magnetic field.
8)Magnetic field around a current carrying straight conductor consists of concentric
circles of magnetic lines of force lying in a plane, which is at right angle to the
current carrying conductor.
 2 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

9) A magnetic field emerging out of plane of paper is depicted by a dot

10) A magnetic field going in to the plane of paper is depicted by a cross
Lorentz force :-
When charge ' q 'moves in a region where both electric field E and magnetic field B
exists, it experience a net force. This force is called Lorentz force.

1. A charge particle experiences a force in the magnetic field if it moves at certain

angle w.r.t to the magnetic field
2. A charge particle experiences no force if it is either at rest or moves parallel or
anti parallel to the magnetic field.
3. Work done by the magnetic Lorentz force on the moving charge is zero.
4. The magnetic force can deflect the charge particle from its path.

Magnetic force on a current carrying conductor

Consider a cylindrical conductor of length and cross sectional area ‘A’. Let ‘n’ be
the number density of charge carriers.
The total number of mobile charge carriers in the rod is
Let ‘q’ be the value of charge on each charge carrier and be the drift velocity of
charge carrier.
In the presence of external magnetic field B, the force on the charge carrier is

But (current density)

But

⃗ ⃗ ⃗⃗
Where is the vector of magnitude of
And the vector sign is transferred from

Note: If the conductor has an arbitrary shape we can calculate force by using the
equation

Motion in a Magnetic field:

When a charge is moving in a magnetic field, magnetic force is perpendicular to the
velocity of the particle, so no work is done and no change in velocity of the particle.
If a charge is moving in a uniform magnetic field, when V is perpendicular to B, the
magnetic force acts as centripetal force and produces a circular motion
perpendicular to the magnetic field.
If the velocity has a componentalong B this component remains unchanged as the
motion along the magnetic field will not be affected by the magnetic field. But it
produces helical motion.
 3 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

For circular motion,

If the charge particle is moving in circular motion, centripetal force for the charge is
provided by the magnetic Lorentz force qVB

The radius of the circular path is given by

The time period of charge particle is

Frequency of charge particle is

The angular frequency is given by

1. " The linear distance traveled by the charge particle in one rotation is called
pitch of the helix." .
2. The radius of the circular component of motion is called the radius of the helix.
3. The Kinetic energy and speed of the particle moving in uniform magnetic field in
the Circular path remains same, while velocity and momentum of the particle
changes.
4. When two different charge particles having same momentum enter
perpendicularly in to a uniform magnetic field, their paths are equally curved. This
principle is used in focusing beam of charge particle in TV picture tube or electron
microscope.

Motion in combined Electric and Magnetic fields:

Velocity selector :
The force experienced by the charge particle in the presence of electric field and
magnetic field is

When electric field and magnetic field are perpendicular

to each other,

Electric field and Magnetic field are in opposite direction.

 4 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

By adjusting the length value of E& B

FB = FE

This condition is used to select charged particles of a particular velocity out of a

beam containing charges moving with different speed. This is called Velocity
selector.

Note: 1) This method is used by J.J Thomson to find e/m.(specific charge)

2) The principle is used in Mass spectrometer. Mass spectrometer is a
device which separates charged particles.

Magnetic effect of electric current:-

When a current flows through a conductor. A magnetic field is produced
around the conductor this is known as magnetic effect of electric current.

Rules to find the direction of the magnetic field produced

1. Right hand clasp rule.
2. Maxwell’s right hand cork’s screw rule.
3. Ampere’s swimming rule.

1. Right hand clasp rule :-

It states that “if a straight conductor carrying current is imagine to be clasped by
right hand such that the stretched thumb shows the direction of the current and
the fingers encircling the conductor shows the direction of the magnetic field
produced around the conductor.
2. Maxwell’s right hand cork screw rule :-
It states that, if the head of right handed screw is rotated such that the tip of screw
advances, the direction in which the tip advances gives the direction of the flow of
current and the direction in which the screw head is rotated gives the direction of
the magnetic field produced.
3. Ampere’s swimming rule :-
Consider a conductor carrying current. If a swimmer is imagine to swim above the
conductor in the direction of the current facing the magnetic needle, then the north
pole of the needle deflects towards his left hand. This gives the direction of magnetic
filed produced.

Note :- 1. Oersted developed the theory of magnetic effect of electric current.

2. If a ‘-‘ve charge is moving in a uniform magnetic field then the force experienced
by the charge is in the direction opposite to that of forced experienced by the ‘+’ ve
charge.
 5 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

3. Ampere's swimming rule is also called as snow rule i.e current flow from south
to north in a wire kept over a magnetic needle, the north of the needle will deflect
towards west.

Laplace law or BiotSavot’slaw :

The Laplace law states that the magnetic field produced at a

point due to the flow of current in a current element is
(i) Directly proportional to the current flowing through the
current element ( I)
ii) Directly proportional to length of the current element ( dl)
r
iii) Directly proportional to sine of the angle b/w the current
element and the line joining the point ( sin)
iv) Inversely proportional to square of the distance b/w the current element and the
point ( 1/r2)
Consider a conductor carrying a current I , Let AB is the current element of the
length dℓ. Let ‘P’ be a point at a distance ‘d’ from AB and ‘’ be the angle b/w AB
and the line joining the point. If dB is the magnetic field at a point due to the flow of
current in AB, then from Laplace law,


 




where Ka constant of Proportionality

For free space,

K= = 10-7 H/m
Where 0 =4  x 10-7 H/m is called absolute permeability of free space.

This magnetic field is perpendicular to the plane containing the current element
and the point.
Note: 1. Consider,

When =0 ,the magnetic field produced is also zero.

 6 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

2.When=90 i.e. Sin 900 =1

3.Vector form of Biot- Savart’s law

(⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗)
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

Important features of Biot – savart’slaw :-

1. Biot - savart’s law is applicable only for small length of conductor carrying
current
2. Biot - savart’s law cannot be easily verified experimentally because of small
current element.
3. It is Valid for symmetric current distribution.
4. It is analogous to coulomb’s law in electrostatics.

Expression for the magnetic field along the axis of a current loop

Consider a current loop of radius ‘r’ and carrying a current ‘I’.. Let ‘P’ be a
point at a distance of ‘x’ from the center of the loop. Let this turn be made up of
number of current elements each of length ‘ ’.
Now consider 2 diametrically opposite current element A1B1 and A2B2.
From the Laplace law, magnetic field at the point ‘P’ due to A1B1 is

Similarly the magnetic field at the point ‘P’ due to A2 B2 is

These two fields are resolved into its components the component  along PS
and  along PT are equal in magnitude and acting along the same line in
opposite direction. Therefore they cancel each other.
 7 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

Then the resultant field at ‘P’ due to A1B1 and A2B2 is  acting
along the axis of the coil PX, also the magnetic field at ‘P’ due to every pair of
diametrically opposite current element = dB' and acting along the axis of the coil.
The total magnetic field at ‘P’ due to one complete turn is B = dB'
 
∑

From the Diagram ;

And

Note: The total magnetic field at P due to ‘n’ number of turns is,

Acting along the X axis of the coil

Where n is number of turns
Special case :-
Consider
B = 
 ⁄

When X = 0 i.e at the centre of the coil, the magnetic field is

 8 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

Note : The magnetic field at the center of the coil is maximum and decreases with
the distance from center of the coil.

Ampere’s circuital law :-

Ampere’s circuit law states that the line integral of the magnetic field around any
closed path in free space is equal to absolute permeability (µ0) times the net current
passing through any surface enclosed by the closed path.

Proof: Consider an infinitely long straight conductor carrying current I. The

Magnetic field lines are produced around the conductor as concentric circles. The
magnetic field due to this current carrying infinite conductor at a distance a is given
by Biot-Savarts law
( )

a
B

x
y

Consider a circle of radius ‘a’ around the wire (amperian loop). Let xy be a small
element of length . andB are in the same direction because of direction of B is
along the tangent to the circle.
⃗ ⃗⃗⃗ =
,
. =
⃗ ⃗⃗⃗ =
Then by taking line integral over closed path,
.∮ ⃗ ⃗⃗⃗ ∮
∮ ∮

but∮
 9 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

Expression for magnetic field due to straight conductor of infinite length

carrying current.

Consider a straight conductor of infinite length in the plane of the paper. Let I be
the current flowing in it. Let P be a point at a perpendicular distance ‘a’ from the
conductor. Consider a
amperian loop with ‘a’ as radius passing through the point ‘P’
Applying ampere circuital law to the loop Y

⃗
a⃗⃗⃗
P

I
x
∮

∮ ⃗ ⃗⃗⃗ ∮

( )

Note: (1) The magnitude of the magnetic field at every point on a circle of radius ‘r’
is the same.
(2). The magnetic field due to current through a straight conductor of infinite length
has cylindrical symmetry.
(3) The direction of Magnetic field at every point on the circle is tangential to it. The
lines of constant magnitude of magnetic field from concentric lines.
 These lines are called Magnetic field lines.
 Thus the magnetic field lines form closed path without a starting point or end
point.
 10 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

 The expression for Magnetic field due to current in a straight wire provides
theoretical support to Oersted experiment.
 the Magnetic field B decreases as distance r increases.

Solenoid:
A cylindrical coil of many tightly wound turns of insulated wire with generally
diameter of the coil smaller than its length is called solenoid.

Expression for Magnetic along the area of a solenoid.

Consider a Solenoid, let ‘n’ be the number of turns per unit length and I be the
current flowing through the solenoid.
Consider a rectangular Amperian loop abcd near the middle of the solenoid ab=L

Then the magnetic field at the centre of the

Solenoid is

⃗⃗⃗ ∫ ⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗ ∫ ⃗ ⃗⃗⃗ ∫ ⃗ ⃗⃗⃗ ∫ ⃗ ⃗⃗⃗

but,

∫ ⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗ ∮ ⃗ ∫

∫ ⃗ = 0 ( B = 0)

∫ ⃗ ⃗⃗⃗ ∫

∫ ⃗ ⃗⃗⃗ ∫

∮ ⃗ ⃗⃗⃗

The number of turns in the length in ab= nL and the current in abcd is nLI
From ampere circuital law

∮ ⃗ ⃗⃗⃗
 11 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

Note: (1) Magnetic field at the end is

(2) Magnetic field lines due to a straight solenoid carrying current are found to be
same as that to a permanent magnet.

Note :-
1. The magnetic field at the centre is twice that of the magnetic field
at any one end of long solenoid carrying current .
2. Magnetic field is maximum at the centre of a long solenoid
carrying current. The graph shows the variation of the magnetic
field with distance from the centre. Magnetic field is quite uniform
over most ofthe solenoid.
3. The solenoid whose length is much greater than the radius of its
wire is closely wound then that solenoid is called an ideal solenoid

Expression for the force b/w two long straight parallel conductor carrying
current

Consider two straight parallel conductors X and Y separated by

a distance ‘d’ in air. Let ‘L’ be the length of each of the
conductor and I1 and I2 be the current flowing in X and Y in the
same direction.
Let B1 be the magnetic field produced at the point ‘P’ due to
the flow of current I1 in X. This is given by,

Since a current I2 is flowing in the conductor ‘Y’, this conductor will experiences a
force. This force is given by . which is acting towards ‘X’. Then

Similarly the magnetic field at Q due to the flow of current in ‘Y’ is given by.

And the force experienced by the conductor ‘X’ due to the flow of current I1 is given
by.
which is acting towards Y. then

The force experienced by the conductor per unit length of the conductor is
 12 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

( )

This is the expression for the force experienced by the two long straight parallel
conductors carrying current.

Note: - 1. If two straight parallel conductors are carrying current in the same
direction will attract each other.(attractive force)
2. If two straight parallel conductors are carrying current in opposite direction
,then they repel each other(repulsive force).
3. If two straight parallel conductors carrying current are held perpendicular to
each other, then the force b/w them is zero.

Definition of ampere:
One ampere is defined as that steady current, which is maintained in two
infinitely long parallel conductor of negligible cross sectional area separated
by a distance of 1m in air causes a force 2X10-7 Nm-1 on each other.

Consider:
( )

when I1 = 1A, I2 = 1A, d = 1m ,

then F= 2 X 10-7 Nm-1

Torque on a rectangular current loop in a uniform magnetic field

(1) Uniform Magnetic field is in the plane of the loop:

Consider a rectangular loop carrying a steady

currentI placed in a uniform magnetic field
B. Then the side AB and CD will experience a
force which are opposite in direction not along
the same line. Then It produces a torque.
The force experienced by AB is

The force experienced byCD is

Due to this the rectangular loop will experience

torque which tend to rotate the loop in
anticlockwise direction. This Torque is given
 13 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

(2) When the uniform magnetic field is not in the plane of the loop

When uniform magnetic field is not in the loop it makes an

angle θ with it

i.e torque can be expressedas the vector product of the magnetic moment of the coil
and the magnetic field.
( )

Magnetic moment : The products of strength of the current flowing in the loop and
area of the loop is called magnetic moment.

The S.I unit is Am2

Note: Torque due to magnetic moment is similar to torque due to electric

dipole moment

Circular current loop as a magnetic dipole:

Magnetic field at a point on the axis of a circular coil carrying current is given by,

when x is very large x >>r

 14 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

but is equal to ‘A’ area of the current loop.

m= IA is called magnetic dipole moment.

( )

The magnetic dipole of a revolving electron:

When an electron is revolving around the nucleus it constitute a current

Tperiod of revolution
r Orbital radius of the electron

If is the velocity of the electron,

Then
There will magnetic moment denoted by

The direction of this magnetic moment is in to the plane of paper.

Multiplying and dividing the right hand side of the above expression by the electron
mass we have

Here , magnitude of angular momentum of the electron about the central

nucleus (orbital angular momentum ) in vector form,

The negative sign indicates that angular momentum of the electron is opposite to
the direction of the magnetic moment.
If negative charge is replaced by a positively charged particle

This ratio is called gyromagnetic ratio.and it is a constant.

Gyromagnetic ratio value is C kg-1.
 15 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

According to Bohr’s theory, angular momentum of an electron in stationary orbit

can have values which are integral multiple of

hplanck’s constant
=( )

( )
Bohr magnetron is defined as the negative dipole moment associated with an atom
due to orbital motion of an electron in first orbit of hydrogen atom
i.e., when n = 1
( )

= 9.27

This value is called Bohr’s magneton.

Note : Any chargein an uniform circular motion have magnetic moment it is called
orbital magnetic moment. Besides the orbital moment, the electron has
intrinsicmagnetic moment called spin magnetic moment.

Suspended coil galvanometer or Moving coil galvanometer:-

Moving coil galvanometer is an instrument used for the measurement of electric
current. It works on the principle of Mechanical effect of electric current.

Theory of moving coil galvanometer:-

Consider a rectangular coil ABCD having 'N' no. of terns

let 'L' be the length , 'b' be the breadth and 'A' be the area
of the coil. Let this coil be placed in a uniform magnetic
field 'B'. When a current 'I' is passed through the coil the
vertical side of the coil experiences a force the vertical side
AB experiences a force F= NBIL towards the observer.
Similarly, the vertical side CD experiences a force F = NBIL
away from the observer. The Sides BC and AD of the coil are D
parallel to the direction of the magnetic field. Therefore the force experienced by
them is zero.
 16 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

The force experienced by the vertical sides is equal in magnitude opposite in

direction parallel to each other and not acting along the same straight line. Hence
they constitute a couple. This couple is called deflecting couple because it deflects
the coil about the suspension wire.

The moment of deflecting couple is given by

When the coil is deflected the suspension wire is twisted. This twisted produces
another couple in opposite direction and this couple is known as restoring couple or
torsional couple.
But the moment of torsional couple is directly proportional to the deflection of the
coil.
i.e 
 2

where k a constant called moment of restoring couple per unit twist.

ϕ deflection of the coil.
when the coil is at equilibrium ,

NBIA =kϕ

This is the expression for angular deflection


wherek is a constant called the current sensitiveness of a moving coil
galvanometer.
Definition of current sensitiveness of a moving coil galvanometer:-
For a moving coil galvanometer the current sensitiveness is defined as
current per unit deflection.

Definition of current sensitivity of a moving coil galvanometer:-

For a moving coil galvanometer, the current sensitivity is defined as the deflection
per unit current or the reciprocal of current sensitiveness is called the current
sensitivity of a moving coil galvanometer.

Note: Current sensitivity can be increased by

1. Increasing the no of turns of the coil.
 17 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

2. Increasing the applied magnetic field

3. Increasing the area of the coil.
4. Using thin long suspension wire.

Advantages of moving coil galvanometer

1. It is highly sensitive instrument and can be used to measure very low current
of the order 10-10 A.

2. The magnetic field between the two poles of magnet is very strong. Therefore
the coil is unaffected by the external magnetic field.
3.It does not require any initial adjustment w.r.t magnetic meridian and it can be
used in any position.
4. Current is directly proportional to the deflection (). Therefore uniformly
graduated scale can be used.

Pointer Galvanometer:
Pointer galvanometer is a modified form of moving
coil galvanometer. In pointer galvanometer instead
of suspension the coil is mounted on a jeweled
bearing. A phosphorus bronze spring is attached
to the coil. This spring gives mechanical support
to the coil i.e, the spring provides the torsional
couple to the coil, the current is passed to the coil
by using same phosphorous bronze spring.

A pointer is fixed at the center of the coil whose

other end is made to move over a uniformly
graduated scale which indicates the deflection.
The whole arrangement is made in a ebonite
case with a glass window.
Note :- A pointer galvanometer can give only the direction of flow of current for large
current.

Conversion of Galvanometer into an ammeter:-

Ammeter is an instrument used for the measurement of
current. Always current passing through a circuit is
measured. Hence ammeter is always connected in series
in an electrical circuit. Therefore, its resistance is very
low. But the resistance of galvanometer is not very low
therefore it cannot be directly used as an ammeter. If a
low resistance shunt is connected in parallel with the
galvanometer, the resistance of the galvanometer
decreases. With this modification the galvanometer is
converted into an ammeter.
w.k .t Pd across G = Pdacross .
 18 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

Where  the required shunt

Ig Current for full scale deflection
G  Galvanometer resistance.

Note :- 1. For an ideal ammeter the resistance should be zero.

2. For an ammeter the resistance should always be low.

Conversion of galvanometer into Voltmeter:-

Voltmeter is an instrument used for the
measurement of potential difference b/w any two points in
a electrical circuit. Always potential difference is measured
across a component. Hence voltmeter is always connected
in parallel in an electrical circuit .Its resistance is very
high But the resistance of galvanometer is not very high.
Therefore it cannot be used directly as a voltmeter. If a
high resistance 'R' is connected in series with the
galvanometer, its resistance will become very high. In this
way a galvanometer can be converted into a voltmeter.
W.K.T. P.d to measured = P.d across the galvanometer and resistance 'R'.

Where V P.d to be measured

Ig Current required for full scale deflection
Note :- 1. For an ideal voltmeter the resistance is infinity
2. For a voltmeter the resistance should be very high
3. For a converted voltmeter R  V.

Note : Voltage sensitivity of galvanometer:

When a galvanometer is converted in to a voltmeter, deflection per unit voltage is
called voltage sensitivity of galvanometer.

Note: When current sensitivity is doubled voltage sensitivity remains unchanged.

Difference between Voltmeter and Ammeter

Voltmeter Ammeter
1. It is a Voltage Measuring device 1. It is a Current Measuring Device
 19 MOVING CHARGES AND MAGNETISM

2. Always connected in Parallel in an 2. Always connected in Series

in an
electrical circuit electrical circuit
3. It has very High resistance 3. It has very Low resistance
4. Resistance of an Ideal Voltmeter is 4. Resistance of an Ideal Ammeter
is
Infinity. Zero
5. Voltmeters are moving coil galvanometer 5.Ammeter are moving coil
with high resistance connected in series galvanometer with low
resistance
connected parallel to it.