THEME 2:

ELECTRIC AND ELECTROMAGNET

Learning Area: 4.0 Electromagnetism

4.1 FORCE ON CURRENT-CARRYING CONDUCTOR IN A MAGNETIC FIELD

4.6.4 THE MAGNETIC EFFECT OF A CURRENT

Has current, has

magnetic effect

No current, no
magnetic effect

A type of magnet that has temporary magnetic

Electromagnet
effect when ________________ flows through it

Making a stronger
electromagnet :
A magnetic field pattern can be
represented by  Increase the
_____________________ that __________________
show the shape of the field. of wire

 Use greater
__________________
 straight wire coiled wire

solenoid

We know that the direction of magnetic field lines are from N to S.

But how we can relate with the direction of current?
How we determine the direction of magnetic field lines if there is current flow?

How?

Right-Hand Grip Rule : To determine the direction of ________________________

For straight and curved wire :

Current, I  Grip the wire using the right hand, with

your thumb pointing in the direction of
Thumb points in the ________________ .
Other fingers the direction of  Your other fingers now point round the
give direction current wire in the direction of the
of magnetic ___________________________ .
field  When the direction of the current is
right hand reversed, the magnetic field direction
also is ______________ .
 For solenoid :

Thumb  The thumb points towards

points is _____________ pole of the magnetic
the N- field
pole  The other fingers indicate the direction of
the _____________ in the solenoid.

Other fingers (nails) show the

direction of current

electric bell

telephone ear- applications of magnetic

piece electromagnet relay

circuit
breaker

4.6.5 FORCE ON CURRENT-CARRYING CONDUCTOR IN A MAGNETIC FIELD

Wire is pushed upwards

How the wire is pushed upwards?

 The electric current on wire produce

magnetic field around it.
 When wire carries electric current through
another magnetic field, a force is exerted on
the wire -- produce a resultant magnetic
dry cell field!

Use __________________________ Rule to determine

the direction of the magnetic force
 Factors that affect the magnitude of the force on a current-
carrying conductor in a magnetic field :

1. size of the ______________ in the conductor

2. strength of the _____________________________ .

How a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field experiences a force?

N S N S

Magnetic field – from N to S Use ____________________ The two fields interact to produce
Rule, the direction of a resultant magnetic field known
magnetic field is clockwise as a _________________ field.

If we zoom in the combined two fields from above diagram :

Challenge yourself! :

Based on the above diagram, in which direction will the coil rotates?

____________________________________________________________________________________
 4.6.6 D.C. MOTOR

A simple d.c motor consists of :

1. ________________ : reverse
magnet the direction of current in the
coil every half rotation so that
the coil continues to turn in
N S brush
same direction
commutator spring
2. ________________ : to contact
with the commutator so the
current from the battery enters
the coil.

3. _____________ : push the

brush so it will always contact
with the commutator.

How d.c motor works?

 When current flows through the horizontal coil, magnetic

field is produced around it.
 The interaction between the magnetic field of the current
and the magnetic field of the permanent magnet produces a
___________________ and 2 turning forces.
 The direction of the force is determined by
_____________________________________________ Rule.
 The two forces produce a couple which __________ the coil.

 When the coil gets to the upright position, the contact

between the carbon brushes with the commutator is
broken.
 There is no turning force on it because no __________ flows
in the coil. But the coil continues to rotate because of its
_______________ .

 When the coil in a horizontal position again, the sides of the

coil changes position.
 The commutator _________________ the direction of the
current in the coil to ensure that the forces on the coil turn
the coil in one direction only.
 So the coil is still rotating in the same direction.
  The above processes are repeated and the motor continues
to rotate.

• Increasing the size of the

_______________ .
Factors increasing the
• Increasing the strength of the
speed of rotation of
_________________ .
the motor
• Increasing the number of _________ .

• Increasing the area of the coil

4.2 ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION

4.6.1 ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION

We know that electricity or (current flow through a conductor) can produce a magnetism.
But, can magnetism produce electricity?
What happen to the galvanometer pointer when the wire moves up and down across the magnetic
field?

Result :

 Galvanometer shows a _______________ to the right when the wire moves down, and to the
left when the wire moves up.
 The deflection of galvanometer indicates that there is a ______________________ in the
conductor!
 As the wire moves up and down,
__________________________ is
the magnetic field lines or magnetic flux induced across the wire
are being _________ .

This current is called Cause current to flow in

__________________________ the wire

When the wire is ________________

Because there’s no
or moves parallel to the magnetic This shows that there’s NO
_____________ of
field lines, it is found that _______________________
magnetic flux occur
galvanometer does not show any is produced
deflection

Conclusion :
production of an electric current by a changing
magnetic field.
electromagnetic
induction The induced current is produced only when there is
relative motion between the conductor / coil and the
magnetic field lines.

The relative motion of a conductor across a

magnetic field can be produced by:

(a) moving a straight wire quickly across a

magnetic field between two flat magnets.

(b) Moving a permanent magnet towards

one end of a solenoid.
How to determine the direction of induced current flow in the wire/conductor?

o the thumb and the first two fingers on the right hand
are held at right angles to each other
o the first finger pointing in the direction of the
____________________________ .
o the thumb in the direction of the __________ .
o the second finger points in the direction of the
____________________________ .

Fleming’s Right Hand Rules

Example :

A wire PQ is moved vertically downwards in a magnetic field.

Applying Fleming’s right-hand rule, the induced current will flow from P to Q.

How to indicate the direction of the induced current in a solenoid?

Lenz’s Law:
The direction of the induced current in a solenoid is such that its magnetic
effect always _____________________ the change producing it.

Magnet is moved towards the solenoid Magnet is moved away from the solenoid

Faraday’s Law:
The size of the induced e.m.f is _______________________________ to the
rate at which the conductor cuts through the magnetic field lines.
The size of the induced e.m.f. and thus the induced current and be increased by:
1. moving the magnet or the solenoid at a _______________ speed
2. _______________ the number of turns on the solenoid
3. _______________ the strength of the magnetic field through the use of a stronger magnet.

Challenge yourself! :

Draw the correct direction of the induced current when the magnet is moved in the direction shown.

converting mechanical energy to electrical

energy.

application of works based on electromagnetic induction and uses

Current
electromagne Generator the ______________________________ Rule.
tic induction
divided into :
_____ generator and _____ generator .
 D.C Generator
Coil in horizontal position Coil in vertical position

o side ab and cd moves in vertically with

o side ab moves _________________ and
the ________________________ lines.
side cd moves _________________,
cutting across magnetic field lines and o no _________________ is produced
produced _________________ (there's (because there is no _________________
of magnetic field lines)
deflection of galvanometer's pointer).
o applying ______________________ rule,
o galvanometer's pointer returns to zero
induced current flows from a to b and mark.
from c to d.
o induced current at this instant is
_________________ .

Coil in horizontal position Coil in vertical position

o side ab moves _________________ and o side ab and cd moves in vertically with

side cd moves _________________, the magnetic field lines.
cutting across magnetic field lines again o again, no induced current is produced
and produced _________________ (because there is no cutting of magnetic
(there's _________________ of field lines)
galvanometer's pointer). o galvanometer returns to zero mark.
o _________________ now flows from b to
a and from d to c.
o induced current at this instant is
_________________ .
 4.6.2 A.C. GENERATOR

A.C Generator
Coil in horizontal position Coil in vertical position

o side ab and cd moves in

o side ab moves _________________ and side
____________ with the magnetic field
cd moves _________________ , cutting
lines.
across magnetic field lines and produced
o no induced current is produced
______________________________ .
(because there is no ____________ of
o applying ___________________________
magnetic field lines).
rule, induced ______________ flows from a
o galvanometer returns to zero mark
to b and from c to d.
o in external circuit, current flows from brush
P to brush Q (galvanometer deflect to left).
o induced current at this instant is
____________________ .

Coil in horizontal position Coil in vertical position

o side ab moves _________________ and

side cd moves _________________, cutting o side ab and cd moves in vertically with
across magnetic field lines again and the ________________________
produced _____________________ . lines.
o induced current now flows from b to a and o again, no _____________________ is
from d to c. produced (because there is no cutting
o in external circuit, current flows from brush of magnetic field lines).
Q to brush P (galvanometer deflect to right) o galvanometer returns to zero mark.
o induced current at this instant is
_________________ .
 4.3 TRANSFORMER
4.6.3 TRANSFORMER

Symbol :
A device which increases or decreases the
voltage of an alternating current based on
the principle of
_________________________________ .

Structure of Transformer :

Primary coil Soft iron core Secondary coil

Connect to A.C power Connect to electrical devices

supply
Primary voltage, Vp Secondary voltage, Vs

Number of turns of Number of turns of

primary coil, Np secondary coil, Ns

Working principle :

o Works on principle of electromagnetic induction.

o When A.C voltage, Vp is supplied to the primary coil, an A.C current flows through the
coil.
o The soft iron core is magnetized.
o A.C current has different direction and magnitude – there is change in the magnetic
field.
o Soft iron core provides a magnetic field linkage in the secondary coil.
o Change in magnetic field also occurs in secondary coil – which produces induced e.m.f
(Vs) and induced current.

Relationship between number of turns and voltage :

According to Faraday’s Law, voltage ὰ number of turns,

V ὰ N or V = kN
k = V/N
So, 𝑉𝑝 𝑉𝑠
=
𝑁𝑝 𝑉𝑠
 Type of transformer

Step-up Step-down

Ns > N p Ns < Np
Vs > V p Vs < V p

Ideal transformer : Power supplied to Power supplied to

No energy loss during the process of transferring voltage primary coil = secondary coil
(transformer transfer electrical power from the primary to
secondary circuit) input power = output power
(Efficiency is 100%) Vp Ip = Vs Is

𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟  In real transformers, some energy is lost

Efficiency = x 100% especially in form of heat.
𝑖𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
 The output power < input power
 Efficiency of the transformer is less than 100%

Causes of energy loss in transformer Ways to improve the efficiency

1. Heating Effect in Coil (resistance in coil) Reduced heating effect in coil
• Primary coil and secondary coil have resistance. - using thicker wire made of good conductor like
• When current flows, a part of electrical energy will copper.
change to heat energy.

2. Eddy current Reduce eddy current

• When alternating current flows in coil, the changing - using laminated core.
magnetic field causes the electrons in the soft iron
core to circulate around as eddy current.
• Eddy current produce heating and causes further
loss power.

3. Magnetisation and demagnetisation of core Increases magnetisation and demagnetisation

• The core continually magnetised and demagnetised - using soft iron for core for easily magnetised
by changing magnetic field produced by alternating (stronger magnetic field) and demagnetised.
current in primary coil.
• Some energy turns into heat.

4. Leakage Magnetic Flux Reduce leakage magnetic flux

• - Magnetic flux produced by primary current not - by winding secondary and primary coils on top
completely linked to secondary coil. Some input each other.
energy not transfer to output transformer.
 PAST YEAR QUESTIONS (IGCSE)
PAPER 2 :
[P23 M/J 2016]
1. A strong electromagnet is used to attract pins.

What happens when the current in the coil is halved?

A No pins are attracted.
B Some pins are attracted, but not as many.
C The same number of pins is attracted.
D More pins are attracted.

[P23 M/J 2016]

2. The diagram shows a transformer.

The input voltage is 240 V.

What is the output voltage?
A 6.0 V B 12 V C 20 V D 40 V

[P22 M/J 2017]

3. Which device uses a split-ring commutator?
A a d.c. motor
B a relay
C a transformer
D an a.c. generator
 [P22 M/J 2018]
4. In an a.c. generator, a coil is rotated in a magnetic field and an electromotive force (e.m.f.) is
induced in the coil.

In which position of the coil does the e.m.f. have the largest value?

[P22 M/J 2018]

5. Wire P carries a current directed perpendicularly into the page. A compass is placed at point Q
which is close to wire P.

The magnetic field at Q due to the current is very much larger than the magnetic field of the
Earth.

In which direction does the North pole of the compass point?

[P22 O/C 2017]

6. The diagram shows a wire hanging freely between the poles of a magnet. There is a current in
the wire in the direction shown.

The magnet and current cause a force to act on the wire.

 In which direction does this force act?
A into the page (away from you)
B out of the page (toward you)
C to the left
D to the right

[P22 O/C 2017]

7. A 100% efficient transformer has 6000 turns on its primary coil and 600 turns on its secondary
coil. The output voltage of the transformer is 12V.

A resistor is connected across the secondary coil and dissipates 24 W of power.

What is the current in the primary coil of the transformer?

A 0.050A B 0.20A C 5.0A D 20A

[P22 O/C 2018]

8. The diagram shows a coil of wire between the poles of a magnet.

The coil consists of 20 turns of insulated wire.

The coil is connected to a variable resistor and a power supply.
How can the turning effect on the coil be increased?
A by moving the poles of the magnet closer to the coil
B by reducing the number of turns on the coil while keeping the current constant
C by increasing the resistance of the variable resistor
D by reversing the terminals of the power supply
 [P22 O/C 2018]
9. Electrical power is transmitted at 400 kV and transformed down to 240 V before being delivered
to consumers.

Which statement is correct?

A A 400 kV cable requires less insulation than a 240 V cable.
B Birds are subject to a high-voltage shock when resting on a high-voltage cable.
C The current in the transmission wires is equal to the current delivered to the consumers.
D With a 400 kV transmission system, a smaller proportion of the energy is used to heat the

[P22 O/C 2019]

10. A step-down transformer is 100% efficient. It has an input voltage of 240 V a.c. and an output
voltage of 60 V a.c.

The current in the primary coil is 0.50 A.

What is the current in the secondary coil?

A 0.13 A B 0.50 A C 2.0 A D 8.0 A
PAPER 4 :
[P42 M/J 2016]
1. (a) Fig. 8.1 shows a coil wound around a steel bar that is initially unmagnetised.
Any appropriate power supply can be connected between the terminals A and B. No other
apparatus is available.

Describe
• how the steel bar can be magnetised,
• how the steel bar can then be demagnetised.

magnetised: ......................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
demagnetised: ..................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................... [4]

(b) Fig. 8.2 shows a transformer.

A 240V mains supply is connected to the primary coil P. The voltage across the secondary
coil S is 12V. A lamp, in series with a 3.0A fuse, is connected to S.

The number of turns in the coils of the transformer is not shown accurately in Fig. 8.2.

Predict, with a suitable calculation, whether the fuse blows when there is a current of
0.20A in the primary coil.
 ...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................... [3]
[Total: 7]

[P42 O/N 2017]

2. (a) Fig. 10.1 shows a wire that carries a current into the page.
The circles on Fig. 10.1 show the pattern of the magnetic field around the wire.

(i) On Fig. 10.1, draw an arrow on each circle to show the direction of the magnetic field. [1]

State why the spacing of the circles increases as the distance from the wire increases.

...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[1]

(b) Fig. 10.2 shows an electric door lock.

The slot in the door contains an unmagnetised iron bolt attached to a spring.
The slot in the door frame is empty. This slot is surrounded by the coils of a solenoid.

In Fig. 10.2 the door is unlocked. The spring is not stretched.

 In Fig. 10.3 the door is locked. The spring is now stretched.

The bolt is initially in the position shown in Fig. 10.2.

Describe and explain what happens when

(i) the switch S is closed,

...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[4]
(ii) the switch S is reopened.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[2]
[Total: 8]
 [P42 O/N 2018]

3. Fig. 9.1 shows a permanent bar magnet next to a circuit that contains a coil and a galvanometer.

(a) Suggest a metal from which the magnet is made.

..............................................................................................................................................[1]

(b) The magnet is moved to the left and inserted a small distance into the coil. The
galvanometer deflects briefly and shows that there is a current in the coil.

(i) Explain why there is a current in the coil.

...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[2]
(ii) As the magnet is moving near to the coil, end Q of the coil behaves as a magnetic pole.
State the polarity of end Q and explain why it has this polarity.
...........................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................[2]

Suggest two ways in which the deflection of the galvanometer can be reversed.
1................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
2................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................[2]
[Total: 7]