Physics

Chapter 16: Magnetism

A magnet is an object that produces a magnetic field, and generates a force that can attract or repel
magnetic materials. Magnetism is a non-contact force. They have a pole at each end, a South pole, and a
North pole. When 2 unlike poles are brought to proximity they attract. When 2 like poles are brought to
proximity they repel.

Most magnetic materials contain iron. For this reason, they’re known as ferrous materials. If a material
contains iron, it does not guarantee it will be magnetic (e.g. stainless steel). Magnetic materials have
induced poles, making them attract to a magnet regardless off its pole. It is a temporary effect.

There are 3 types of magnets:

 Permanent Magnets: They are magnets that retain their magnetic properties for a long time.
They are difficult to magnetize and difficult to demagnetize. (e.g. bar magnets, refrigerator
magnets).
 Induced/Temporary Magnets: They are magnetic materials that become magnetized when
exposed to a magnetic field, but lose their magnetism when the external magnetic field is
removed. Magnetic materials have induced poles, making them attract to a magnet regardless
off its pole. It is a temporary effect. Because their domains align with the external magnetic field,
but they can be repelled if their like poles face the poles of another magnet, while being
attracted to a magnet. (e.g. paperclips).
 Electromagnets: They are magnets that are created by running an electric current through a coil
wire, often around a core of iron or another ferromagnetic material. They can be turned on and
off with the electric current (e.g. electromagnets in generators).

There are 2 types of magnetic materials:

 Hard Material: Are magnets that retain their magnetism that retain their magnetism. And they
are hard to magnetize (e.g. hard steel)
 Soft Materials: They are magnets that easily lose their magnetism. And they are easily
magnetized (e.g. soft iron).

When a magnet is freely suspended, it aligns itself with the Earths geographic North pole (technically the
magnetic South Pole), and its South Pole (technically the magnetic North Pole) points towards the Earths
geographic South Pole. This due to the fact that the Earth is magnetized, and its core acts a bar magnet.
The magnetic field repulses solar wind, and UV lights protecting us from the sun. When 2 magnets are
brought together a force of attraction attracts the south pole of a magnet and north pole of a magnet. 2
opposite poles attract, while 2 unlike poles repel.
Magnetic field is the region around a magnet where a magnetic force acts. It is the area where the
magnet can attract or repel magnetic materials (Fe, Ni, Co, steel). Magnetic fields are 3-dimensional. The
direction of a magnetic field, is the direction of the force on the north pole of a magnet at a point.
Meaning that the field lines come out of the north pole and into the south pole

A magnetic force is the push or experienced by 2 magnetic poles. The forces occur due to the interaction
between 2 magnetic fields. When 2 opposite poles are brought to proximity the magnetic field line aligns
with each other and they attract. When 2 like poles are brought to proximity their magnetic field lines
don’t align, and they circle out o the poles, and they repel. The closer the magnetic field lines are, the
stronger the magnetic field is.

To plot of find a magnetic field, we use plotting compasses because the directions of the field line align
with the directions of the compass. Or we can use iron fillings, they will be attracted to the magnet and
shape as the magnetic field, due to their small size.

Electromagnets are magnets that are created by an electric current passing through a coil of wire
(solenoid), and is often wrapped around a core of a magnetic material (e.g. iron). The strength of an
electromagnet can be increased by increasing the current, increasing the number of turns of wire on the
coil, and adding a soft iron core, because it becomes strongly magnetized by the field increasing the
strength of the whole magnetic field. Electromagnets can be switched on and off, by switching the
electric current on and off.

The magnetic field of an electromagnetic is produced both inside and outside the coil. The magnetic field
inside an electromagnet is uniform (meaning the lines are parallel, and the same distance apart). The
field lines emerge from the north pole of the solenoid to its south pole. The closer the field lines are, the
stronger they are. The magnetic field of an electromagnet can be reversed by reversing the direction of
the current.
Chapter 17: Static Electricity:
Objects can be given 2 types of charges, negative and positive. When 2 opposite charges are brought
into proximity, they attract. If 2 matching charges are brought into proximity, they repel.

Static electricity is the buildup of electric charges on a surface of an object. This is due to the imbalance
of the number of protons and electrons on the object. It occurs during friction, when materials rub
against each other, the electrons can be transferred from one material to another causing static
electricity.

Electrostatic force is the force of attraction or repulsion between 2 charged objects due to their electric
charges. When the charges are the same, they repel. When they’re opposites they attract. We can
demonstrate this by numerous experiments (e.g. rubbing a ballon on hair, rubbing 2 rods with a cloth)

Certain insulating materials transfer electrons, while some gain. (acetate rods transfer while polythene
receives electrons). This is buildup of electrons occurs when we rub our feet on a carpet. We are then
statically charged, and when we contact a conducting material, the built-up electrons are transferred to
it and cause an electric discharge (spark/shock), like in lightning. Charged objects can affect both charged
and uncharged objects.

Electrical conductors are materials that can carry a current. They mostly consist of metals, due to the fact
that electrons in metals are delocalized. Meaning that electrons can move freely. (e.g. when a copper rod
is rubbed, electrons are transferred, but due to the fact that they can move easily, they flow out the rod
and into your body and into the earth).

Electrical insulators are materials that cannot carry a current They include plastics and glass. This is due
to the fact that their electrons are tightly bound to their atoms, and cannot allow electrons to flow. (e.g.
when you rub a polythene rod, it gains electrons and becomes negatively charged. Since electrons
cannot move in an insulator the rubbed area remains charged).

Electric field is the region around a charged object where other charged objects experiences a force. The
direction of the field line is the direction of the force on a positive charge. Meaning the field lines go
from the positive charge to the negative. The strength of the field increases when an object is brought to
proximity. The field patterns around a point charge or a sphere are radial. While for parallel plates is
uniform.

The electric force between two charged objects is one of the fundamental forces of nature (like gravity).
Charges are measured in coulombs (C). The charge for a single electron is -1.6 x 10-19 .