Electricity and Magnetism

Lecture 9
Chapter 29

Magnetic field

History:

1) Greeks, in 800 BC discovered the stone magnetite (𝑭𝒆𝟑 𝑶𝟒 ) 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬

pieces of iron.

2) In 1269, Pierre de Maricourt found that the directions of a needle near a

natural spherical magnet formed lines that passed through two opposite
points in it, he call these two opposite points by the poles of the magnet.

3) In 1600, William Gilbert, using the fact that a compass needle orients in
preferred direction, he suggested that the earth itself is a large permanent
magnet.
4) In 1750, experimenters, show that magnetic poles exert attractive or repulsive
forces on each other and that these forces vary as the inverse square of the
distance between these two poles, and they discovered that, a single magnetic
pole has never been isolated ( the magnetic poles are always found in pairs ).

5) In 1819, Oersted, during a lecture demonstration, found that an electric current

in a wire deflected a nearby compass needle.

6) In 1820, Faraday and Henry, showed that an electric current can be produced in
a circuit either by moving a magnet near the circuit or by changing the current
in a nearby circuit. This means that, changing magnetic field creates an electric
field.

7) Finally, Maxwell showed that the reverse is also true: i.e. a changing electric field
creates a magnetic field.
Magnetic field and magnetic force 29-1

The magnetic field, like the electric field, can be represented by lines called the
magnetic field lines.

The Fig. shows the magnetic field lines of a bar magnet.

Note that: the magnetic field lines outside the magnet
point away from N pole towards S pole and form a closed
loops.

The magnetic field is a vector quantity, has a magnitude

and direction.

Its magnitude (B), “is the number of magnetic field lines crossing unit area
∅
perpendicular to it”. i.e. B = , Where ∅ “is the total number of magnetic field lines
𝑨
crossing the area A perpendicular to it”, and is known as the magnetic flux.
 Experiments show that

1) If a charge q moves with a velocity v making an angle 𝜽 with a magnetic field B , the
magnetic force 𝑭𝒎 exerted on this charge, depend on, q ,v, B and sin 𝜽.
i.e. 𝑭𝒎 = B q v sin 𝜽

2) If v = zero, 𝑭𝒎 = zero

3) The direction of 𝑭𝒎 is in the direction perpendicular to the

plane containing both v and B, as shown in the Fig.

4) The direction of 𝑭𝒎 on a (+ve) charge is in the opposite

direction of that on a (-ve) charge.
The direction of 𝑭𝒎 is determined using the right-hand rule,
shown in the Fig.

The differences between the electric and magnetic forces.

1) 𝐅𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐄, 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝑭𝒎 is perpendicular to B.

2) 𝑭𝒆 exist on q weather it is in motion or at rest, while 𝑭𝒎

is only exist on a moving charge.

3) Since the work done by force is (dw = F ds), therefore, 𝑭𝒆

do the work because ds is in the direction of 𝑭𝒆 , 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞
work done by 𝑭𝒎 𝐢𝐬 𝐳𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝑭𝒎 is perpendicular to ds.
4) Since, v is in the direction of 𝑭𝒆 , 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞
accelerated by the electric force, while, 𝑭𝒎 𝒊𝒔 perpendicular to v,
therefore v will be constant and there is no acceleration.
 Units of magnetic field
In MKS system of units, the unit of B is Tesla
𝐹𝑚 𝑁
𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝑭𝒎 = B q v sin 𝜽 ∶. 𝑩 = :. Tesla =
q v sin 𝜽 C 𝒎/𝒔
𝑁
Since: coulomb / second = ampere :. C / s = A :. Tesla =
A𝒎
In CGS system of units, the unit of B is Gauss. 1 Tesla =𝟏𝟎𝟒 𝑮𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒔

Ex: 29-1
An electron in television tube moves towards the television screen with a speed of
𝟔 𝒎
8 x 𝟏𝟎 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐱 − 𝐚𝐱𝐢𝐬. 𝐀𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐮𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐞 coils create
𝒔
magnetic field of 0.025 Tesla at an angle of 60° to the x-axis. Calculate 𝑭𝒎 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞
electron.

Solution: 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝑭𝒎 = B q v sin 𝜽 ∶. 𝑭𝒎 = 0.025 x 1.6 x 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟗 𝒙 8 x 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝟔𝟎

∶. 𝑭𝒎 = 2.8 x 𝟏𝟎−𝟏𝟒 𝑵
 Magnetic force on a current carrying conductor 29-2

Electric current in a wire, means motion of electrons through this wire.

If a magnetic field is applied on this wire, each moving electron will be affected by a
magnetic force, given by: 𝑭𝒎 = 𝑩𝒆𝒗 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽

Therefore, the magnetic force exerted on the wire is the

resultant force on all of the moving electrons in this wire.
If N is total number of moving electrons in the wire
therefore, 𝑭𝒎 = 𝑵𝑩𝒆𝒗 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜽

To demonstrate the magnetic force acting on a current

carrying conductor, hang a wire between the poles of a
magnet, as shown in the Fig.
In Fig. (b), the magnetic field is directed into the page.
and i = zero, :. 𝑭𝒎 = 𝒛𝒆𝒓𝒐, ∶. 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬
vertical.

In Fig. (c), the current is upward, :. 𝑭𝒎 will be

(according to the right-hand rule) towards the left,
:. The wire will be deflected towards the left.

In Fig. (d), the current is downward, :. 𝑭𝒎 will be

(according to the right hand rule) towards the right,
:. The wire will be deflected towards the right.
Mathematical expression for the magnetic force on a current carrying conductor

Consider a wire of length L and cross-sectional area A

carrying a current i and placed in a uniform magnetic
field B perpendicular to it, as shown in the Fig.

The magnetic force 𝑭𝒎 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 q with drift velocity 𝒗𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒃𝒚:
𝑭𝒎 = B q 𝒗𝒅

since, the magnetic force exerted on the wire is the

resultant force on all of the moving charges in this wire,
:. if N is the total number of moving charges in this wire,
𝑭𝒎 = 𝑵𝑩𝒒𝒗𝒅 ……. (1)
𝑵
If n is the number of the moving charges per unit volume, :. n =
𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒆 (𝑨 𝑳)
 :. N = n A L

:. From Eq. (1), 𝑭𝒎 = 𝒏 𝑨 𝑳 𝑩 𝒒 𝒗𝒅

Since the moving charges in the wire are electrons, therefore q = e

𝑭𝒎 = 𝒏 𝑨 𝑳 𝑩 𝒆 𝒗𝒅

Since, i = n e 𝒗𝒅 A

:. 𝑭𝒎 = 𝑳 𝒊 𝑩

If the magnetic field B is not perpendicular to the wire, but making an angle 𝜽 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒕,
the magnetic force on the wire will be: 𝑭𝒎 = 𝑳 𝒊 𝑩 sin 𝜽

Notice that: this expression is applied only on a straight wire carrying an electric current
in a uniform magnetic field.
Now, consider an arbitrary shaped wire segment with length 𝑳′ 𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐠.
also consider an element ds of this wire, the
magnetic force on this element will be:
d𝑭𝒎 = 𝒅𝒔 𝒊 𝑩 𝒔𝒊𝒏 θ 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 θ 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆
between B and ds.
Therefore the resultant force on this wire will
𝒃 𝒃
be: 𝑭𝒎 = ‫ 𝒂׬‬d𝑭𝒎 = ‫𝒔𝒅 𝒂׬‬ 𝒊 𝑩 𝒔𝒊𝒏 θ dl

Since, ds sin θ = dL
𝒃
:. 𝑭𝒎 =‫𝑳𝒅 𝑩 𝒊 𝒂׬‬
𝒃
:. 𝑭𝒎 = 𝒊 𝑩 ‫𝒂׬‬ 𝒅𝑳

:. 𝑭𝒎 = 𝑳 𝒊 𝑩
Therefore, the magnetic force on an arbitrary
shaped wire carrying an electric current in a
magnetic field is the same as the magnetic force
on a straight wire connecting its two ends
perpendicular to the magnetic field.

If the magnetic field makes an angle θ with the

straight wire ab , as shown in the Fig., the magnetic
force is given by: 𝑭𝒎 = 𝑳 𝒊 𝑩 sin θ

Magnetic force on a closed loop carrying an

electric current
Consider a closed loop carrying an electric current
and placed in a uniform magnetic field as shown
in the Fig.
 The magnetic force exerted on the element ds is, d𝑭𝒎 = 𝒅𝒔 𝒊 𝑩 𝒔𝒊𝒏 θ

𝒂 𝒂
:. 𝑭𝒎 = ‫ 𝒂׬‬d𝑭𝒎 = ‫𝒊 𝒔𝒅 𝒂׬‬ 𝑩 𝒔𝒊𝒏 θ

𝒂
:. 𝑭𝒎 = 𝒊 𝑩 ‫𝒔𝒅 𝒂׬‬ 𝒔𝒊𝒏 θ

:. 𝑭𝒎 = 𝒊 𝑩 𝒛𝒆𝒓𝒐 = 𝒛𝒆𝒓𝒐

Therefore, the magnetic force exerted

on a closed loop carrying an electric
current in a uniform magnetic field is
zero.
Ex: 29-2
A wire bent into a semicircle of radius R forms a closed
loop and carries a current i. the wire lies in the x-y plane
and a uniform magnetic field is directed along the (+ve)
y-axis, as shown in the Fig. Find the magnitude and
direction of the magnetic force acting on the straight
portion of the wire and on the curved portion.

Solution: 1) 𝑭𝒎 𝒐𝒏 the straight portion

𝑭𝒎 =𝑳 𝒊 𝑩 sin θ

Since, L = 2 R and B perpendicular to i, :. Θ = 90, :. sin θ =1

Therefore, 𝑭𝒎 = 2 R 𝒊 𝑩

By using the right-hand rule, the direction of this force is in the direction of the
(+ve) z- direction.
2) 𝑭𝒎 𝒐𝒏 the curved portion

It is equal the magnetic force on a straight wire connecting its two ends a and b.
i.e. it is equal 𝑭𝒎 on the straight portion, i.e. 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝒐𝒏 the curved
portion is: 𝑭𝒎 = 2 R 𝒊 𝑩

Since the direction of (i) in the curved portion is in the opposite direction of (i) in
the straight portion, therefore the direction of its 𝑭𝒎 is in the direction of (-ve) z
direction.

since the forces acting on both, the straight and curved portions are equal and
opposite in direction, therefore, the resultant magnetic force on the closed loop
is zero.
Torque on a rectangular current loop in a uniform magnetic field parallel to its
plane 29-3

Consider a rectangular current loop of length a and width b

carrying an electric current i and placed in a uniform magnetic
field B parallel to its plane, as shown in the Fig.

Since, B is parallel to the two sides (1) and (3), :. Θ = zero, and
since, 𝑭𝒎 = 𝑳 𝒊 𝑩 sin θ, :. 𝑭𝒎 on the two sides (1) and (3) is
equal zero.

and since, B is perpendicular to the two sides (2) and (4),

:. Θ = 90°, :. 𝑭𝒎 on the two sides (2) and (4) is:
𝑭𝒎 = 𝑳 𝒊 𝑩 and since L = a :. 𝑭𝒎 = a 𝒊 𝑩

The direction of 𝑭𝟏 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝟒 , 𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕

hand rule, is down-word, as shown in the Fig.
The direction of 𝑭𝟐 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝟐 , 𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭
hand rule, is up-word, as shown in the Fig.
Therefore, the two forces 𝑭𝟏 and 𝑭𝟐 exert a torque on the
current loop, cause its rotation around the point O in clock-
wise direction, as shown in the Fig.
𝒃 𝒃 𝒃 𝒃
This torque is: 𝝉 = 𝑭𝟏 ( ) + 𝑭 𝟐 ( )= a𝒊𝑩( )+a𝒊𝑩( )
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐 𝟐

𝒃
:.𝝉 = 2 a 𝒊 𝑩 ( )= a𝒊𝑩𝒃
𝟐

Since, a b = A ( the area of the rectangular current loop )

:.𝝉 = 𝒊 𝑨 𝑩

If the electric current in the loop is reversed, the loop is rotate anti-clockwise.
If B makes n angle θ with the normal of the rectangular loop as shown in the Fig.
𝒃 𝒃
The torque will be: 𝝉 = 𝑭𝟏 ( 𝒔𝒊𝒏 θ ) + 𝑭𝟐 ( 𝒔𝒊𝒏 θ )
𝟐 𝟐

𝒃
:.𝝉 = 2 a 𝒊 𝑩 ( 𝒔𝒊𝒏 θ )
𝟐
:.𝝉 = a 𝒊 𝑩 ( 𝒃 𝒔𝒊𝒏 θ )

:.𝝉 = 𝒊 𝑨 𝑩 𝒔𝒊𝒏 θ
This torque rotate the loop in the direction of decreasing θ, 𝒊. 𝒆
in clock-wise direction.

The factor ( i A ) is called the magnetic dipole moment μ.

i.e μ=iA :.𝝉 = 𝝁 𝑩 𝒔𝒊𝒏 θ

This equation is valid for any shape of current loops, not only for a rectangular loop.
Notice that, this is the torque on a current loop of one turn. If the loop contain N turns
the torque will be: 𝝉 = N 𝒊 𝑨 𝑩 𝒔𝒊𝒏 θ, 𝒊𝒕𝒔 magnetic dipole moment is: μ = N i A
:. 𝝉 = μ 𝑩 𝒔𝒊𝒏 θ
The unit of torque

Since, 𝝉 = N 𝒊 𝑨 𝑩 𝒔𝒊𝒏 θ ∶. 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝝉 𝒊𝒔 (𝒎2 𝑨𝑻)

Since, 𝑭𝒎 = 𝑳 𝒊 𝑩 sin θ :. Newton = Ampere tesla meter (ATm)

: . 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝝉 𝒊𝒔 ( N m)
Ex: 29-3
A rectangular coil of dimensions 5.4 x 8.5 cm consists of 25 turns of wire and carries
a current of 15 mA. A 0.35 T magnetic field is applied parallel to the plane of the loop.
a) Calculate the magnetic dipole moment.
b) Calculate the magnitude of the torque acting on the loop.

Solution: a) since, μ=NiA

= 25 x 15 x 𝟏𝟎− 𝟑 𝒙 𝟓. 𝟒 𝒙 𝟖. 𝟓 𝒙𝟏𝟎− 𝟒
= 𝟏. 𝟕𝟐 𝒙𝟏𝟎− 𝟑 Am²

b) since, 𝝉 = μ 𝑩 𝒔𝒊𝒏 θ,
𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐁 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐨 the plane of the loop, :. Θ = 90° :. 𝒔𝒊𝒏 θ =1
∶. 𝝉 = μ 𝑩 = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟐 𝒙𝟏𝟎− 𝟑 x 0.35 = 6.02 x 𝟏𝟎− 𝟒 Nm
Motion of a charged particle in a uniform magnetic field

Consider a (+ve) charge q moving with velocity v in

a uniform B perpendicular to v.
According to the right-hand rule 𝑭𝑩 𝒊𝒔 perpendicular
to v and towards the point c, as shown in the Fig.
since 𝑭𝒎 perpendicular to v, :. v will be constant,
C
therefore the charge moves with constant speed
under the effect of a force perpendicular to it, and
using the right-hand rule, it is always directed towards
the center c.
Therefore the charge will move in a circular path.
𝑽𝟐
Therefore: 𝑭𝒎 must be equal the centripetal force ( m )
𝒓
𝑽𝟐
i.e. Bqv=m
𝒓
 𝒗 𝒗
:. Bq = m( ) Since ( ) = ω where ω the angular velocity
𝒓 𝒓

𝟐𝝅
:. Bq = mω Since ω = 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑻 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒄 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆
𝑻

𝟐𝝅 𝒎
:. Bq = m :. T= 𝟐π ( )
𝑻 𝑩𝒒

Ex: 29-6
A proton of mass 1.67 x 𝟏𝟎− 𝟐𝟕 𝒌𝒈 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝟏𝟒 𝐜𝐦
in a uniform magnetic field of 0.35 T perpendicular to its velocity. Find the linear
speed of the proton.

𝒗 𝑩𝒒𝒓
Solution : since, Bq = m( ) :. V =
𝒓 𝒎

0.35 𝒙 𝟏.𝟔 𝒙𝟏𝟎− 𝟏𝟗 𝒙 𝟏𝟒 𝒙𝟏𝟎− 𝟐 𝟖

:. V = = 𝟒. 𝟕 𝒙𝟏𝟎 𝒎/𝒔
1.67 x 𝟏𝟎− 𝟐𝟕
 Problems chapter 29
3- An electron moving along the (+ve) x-axis perpendicular to a magnetic field. If the
electron deflected in the (-ve) y-direction, what is the direction of the magnetic field?
Solution: if the charge is (+ve), B will be in the direction of (+ve)z-direction, but since
the charge is electron, :. B will be in the direction of (-ve)z-direction.
𝒎
5- A proton moves perpendicular to a uniform B at 𝟏𝟎𝟕 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚n
𝒔
𝟏𝟑 𝐦
acceleration of 2 x 𝟏𝟎 𝟐
𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 +𝐯𝐞 𝐱 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 is in the (+ve) z
𝐬
direction. Determine the magnitude and direction of B.
knowing that 𝒎𝒑 = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟕 𝒙 𝟏𝟎− 𝟐𝟕 𝒌𝒈.
Solution: since, 𝑭𝑩 = B q v and since, F=ma :. 𝒎𝒑 𝐚 = B q v
𝒎𝒑 𝐚 𝟏.𝟔𝟕 𝒙 𝟏𝟎− 𝟐𝟕 𝒙2 x 𝟏𝟎𝟏𝟑
:. B = = = 2.088 x 𝟏𝟎− 𝟐 𝑻
qv 𝟏.𝟔 𝒙𝟏𝟎− 𝟏𝟗 𝒙𝟏𝟎𝟕

Since, v in the (+ve)z-direction and 𝑭𝑩 in the (+ve) x-direction, :. B will be in

+𝒗𝒆 𝐲 − 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.