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CHAPTER-7
MAGNETISM

Magnetic Effect of Current

Topic-1 Concepts covered: Magnetic effect of current, Fleming’s left
hand rule

Revision Notes
� Besides the heating effect and the chemical effect, current also has a magnetic effect associated with them.
¾¾The experiments of Oersted and Ampere, on the effects of a current- carrying wire deflecting a compass needle
led to the discovery of the magnetic effects of current.
¾¾Magnetic field lines due to a straight conductor carrying current :
(i) The magnetic field lines form concentric circles around the wire, with their plane perpendicular to the
straight wire and with their centre lying on the wire.
(ii) If a cardboard is inserted perpendicular to the current carrying wire and some iron filings are sprinkled over
the cardboard, then iron filings arrange themselves in a circular pattern.
(iii) When the direction of current in the wire is reversed, the pattern of iron filings does not change, but the
direction of deflection of the compass needle gets reversed. The north pole of the compass needle now
points in a direction opposite to the previous direction showing that the direction of the magnetic field has
reversed.
(iv) On increasing the current in the wire, the magnetic field lines become denser and the iron filings get arranged
in circles up to a larger distance from the wire, showing that the magnetic field strength has increased and it
is effective up to a larger distance.
¾¾Right hand thumb rule :
 If we hold the current carrying conductor in our right hand such that the thumb points in the direction of current,
then encircling of fingers will give the direction of the magnetic
field.
¾¾It is now believed that currents (i.e., moving charges) – and not
magnetic poles – are the basic cause of all magnetism.
¾¾The lines of force of the magnetic field due to a straight current-
carrying wire are concentric circles around the wire.
¾¾From the pattern of magnetic field lines, it is noted that
(i) In the vicinity of wire at P and Q, the magnetic field lines are
nearly circular.
(ii) Within the space enclosed by the wire (i.e., between P and Q),
the magnetic field lines are in the same direction.
(iii) Near the centre of the loop, the magnetic field lines are nearly
parallel to each other, so the magnetic field may be assumed
to be nearly uniform in a small space near the centre.
(iv) At the centre, the magnetic field lines are along the axis of the
loop and normal to the plane of the loop.
(v) The magnetic field lines become denser (i.e., the magnetic
field strength is increased) if: Magnetic field due to current in a loop
(a) the strength of the current in the loop is increased, and
(b) the number of turns in the loop increased.
¾¾When a material is placed inside a coil carrying current, it will get magnetized. A bunch of nails or an iron rod
placed along the axis of the coil can be magnetized by the current allowed to pass through the coil. Such magnets
are called electromagnets.
¾¾For finding the polarity of the two faces of a current-carrying circular coil, the following rule applies: When an
observer, looking at the circular coil, finds the current to be flowing in the anti-clockwise sense, that face of the
coil behaves like the north-pole(N-pole) of the equivalent magnet. On the other hand, if the current is seen to
flow in the clockwise sense, that face of the coil behaves like the south-pole (S-pole) of the equivalent magnet.
¾¾The solenoid is made by closely winding a large number of turns of an
insulated wire on a long cylindrical core.
¾¾A current-carrying solenoid produces a uniform field close to its centre
and its field is very similar to that of a bar magnet.
¾¾The electromagnet consists essentially of a soft iron core around which a
large number of turns of insulated wire are wounded. It is a temporary (N-Pole) (S-Pole)
magnet which can be magnetized or demagnetized, in a very short time,
simply by switching ’ON’ or ‘OFF’ the current through it.
¾¾Comparison of Electromagnet and Permanent Magnet :

S. No. Electromagnet Permanent magnet

1. It is made of soft iron. It is made of steel.
2. It produces the magnetic field so long as current It produces a permanent magnetic field.
flows in its coils i.e., it produces the temporary
magnetic field.
3. The magnetic field strength can be changed. The magnetic field strength cannot be changed.
4. The electromagnets of a very strong field can be The permanent magnets are not so strong.
made.
5. The polarity of an electromagnet can be reversed. The polarity of a permanent magnet cannot be
reversed.
6. It can easily be demagnetized by switching off the It cannot be demagnetized easily.
current.
¾¾Uses of Electromagnet :
(i) It is used for lifting and transporting the large masses of iron scrap, girder, plates, etc.
(ii) It is used for loading the furnace with iron.
(iii) It is used for separating the magnetic substances such as iron from debris and raw materials.
(iv) It is used for removing pieces of iron from wounds.
¾¾An electromagnet has the following advantages over a permanent magnet :
(i) An electromagnet can produce a strong magnetic field.
(ii) The strength of the magnetic field of an electromagnet can easily be changed by changing the current (or the
number of turns) in its solenoid.
(iii) The polarity of the electromagnet can be reversed by reversing the direction of current in its solenoid.
 ¾¾It is not Ampere’s law when a current I passes through a conductor of length l placed in magnetic field B, then the
force experienced is given by, F = IBlsin θ where θ is an angle between the
length of the conductor and magnetic field.
¾¾Fleming’s left hand rule: Stretch the forefinger, central finger and the
thumb of your left hand mutually perpendicular to each other. If the
forefinger indicates the direction of magnetic field, central finger indicates
the direction of current, then the thumb will indicates the direction of
motion of conductor (i.e., force on conductor).

Key Terms
¾¾When a bar magnet is placed on a cardboard and iron-filings are sprinkled, they will arrange themselves in a
pattern of lines known as magnetic field lines.
¾¾The area around a magnet in which its effect can be experienced is called a magnetic field.
¾¾When electric current flows through a conductor, a magnetic field is produced around it. This is called magnetic
effect of current.
¾¾An electromagnet is a solenoid coil that attains magnetism due to the flow of current. It works on the principle
of magnetic effect of current.
¾¾The production of electric current due to relative motion between a conductor and a magnetic field is called
electromagnetic induction. The electric current produced due to this phenomenon is called induced current.
¾¾Magnetic flux is defined as the product of the magnetic field and the area through which magnetic field passes
perpendicularly, φ = NBA, when the field passes perpendicular to the plane of the coil. If B and A are at angle θ,
f= NBAcos θ, where N is the number of turns.

Mnemonics

Concept: Fleming’s left hand rule. F : Force (represented by thumb)

Mnemonic: Have Light Food, Feel Comfortable. F : Field (represented by fore finger)
Interpretation: C : Current (represented by second/central finger)
L : Left hand rule

Electromagnetic Induction
Topic-2 Concepts covered: Electromagnetic Induction, Fleming’s right
hand rule

Revision Notes
¾¾Faraday’s experiments were concerned with the production of an electric current from a magnetic field.
¾¾From his experiments, Faraday observed that whenever there is a change in the magnetic flux (number of magnetic
lines of force passing normally) linked with a circuit and an induced emf is produced. Thus, Electromagnetic
Induction is the phenomenon in which an e.m.f. is induced in the coil if there is change in the magnetic flux
linked with the coil.
¾¾Faraday’s and Lenz’s Laws on the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction are :
(i) Faraday’s Law :
Whenever there is a change in the (normal) magnetic flux linked with a circuit, an emf is induced. The
induced emf lasts as long as the change in magnetic flux is taking place.
The magnitude of the induced emf is proportional to the time rate of change of the (normal) magnetic flux.
(ii) Lenz’s Law : The direction of the induced emf is such that it always opposes the change responsible for its
production.
¾¾From Faraday’s laws the following conclusions can be drawn.
(i) A current flows in the coil when there is a relative motion between the coil and the magnet.
 (ii) The direction of current is reversed if the direction of motion or polarity of the magnet is reversed.
(iii) The current in the coil is increased (i) by the rapid motion of the magnet or coil, (ii) by the use of a strong
magnet and, (iii) by increasing the area of the coil and (iv) the number of turns in the coil.
¾¾The direction of induced emf can be determined by Fleming’s right hand rule.
¾¾Fleming’s right hand rule : It states that if the thumb, forefinger and the middle finger of right hand are spread
at right angle to one another in such a way that the forefinger points in the direction of the magnetic field, thumb
gives the direction of motion of conductor relative to magnetic field, then the direction in which the middle finger
points, gives the direction of induced current.

¾¾
S.No. Direct current (D.C.) Alternating current (A.C.)
1. It is the current of constant magnitude. It is the current of magnitude varying periodically
with time.
2. It flows in one direction in the circuit. It reverses its direction periodically while flowing in
a circuit.
3. It is obtained from a cell (or battery) It is obtained from an a.c. generator and mains.

Mnemonics

Concept: Fleming’s right hand rule. Interpretation:

R : Right hand rule
Mnemonic: Have Right Minerals, Feel Comfort-
M : Motion (represented by thumb)
able.
F : Field (represented by fore finger)
C : Current (represented by second/central finger)
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