Magnets and ella ela) a MAGNETS MAGNETIC FIELDS MAGNETIC EFFECT OF A CURRENT [Te eu KOU ES) MAGNETIC FORCE ON A CURRENT ELECTRIC MOTORS ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION GENERATORS TRANSFORMERS POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION omputer model of the magnetic field inside the doughnut-shaped chamber of a nuclear fusion reactor. Like the Sun, fusion reactors release energy yy smashing hydrogen atoms together to form helium. One day, they may provide the energy to run power stations on Earth In the reactor, the magnetic field is used to trap the charged particles from hydrogen at a temperature of over 100 million °C. eNorth Pole RVAEEKD Magnets # MAGNETS ANO CURRENTS Magnetic poles Ifa small bar magnet is dipped into iron filings, the filings are attracted to its, ends, as shown in the photograph on the opposite page. The magnetic force ‘seems to come from two points, called the poles of the magnet. ‘The arth exerts forces on the poles of a magnet. If a bar magnet is suspended as on the left, it swings round until it lies roughly north-south. This effect is used to name the two poles of a magnet. These are called: © the north-seeking pole (or N pole for short) © the south-seeking pole (or S pole for short) If you bring the ends of two similar bar magnets together, there is a force between the poles as shown below: ke poles repel; unlike poles attract. The closer the poles, the greater the force between them. Properties of magnets 8 magnetic poles ‘4 magnet (© Has 2 magnetic field around it (see the next spread) ‘© Has two opposite poles (N and ‘S) which exert forces on other ‘magnets. Like poles repel, unlike poles attract ‘© Will attract magnetic matenals by inducing magnetism in ‘them. In some materials (eq steed the magnetism is permanent. In others (e4, ron) itis temporary © Will exer little or no force on anon-maanetic material magnet steel Ge -—E «A repulsion attraction Induced magnetism Materials such as iron and steel are attracted to magnets because they themselves become magnetized when there is a magnet nearby. The magnet induces magnetism in them, as shown below. In each case, the induced pole nearest the magnet is the opposite of the pole at the end of the magnet. The attraction between unlike poles holds each piece of metal to the magnet. ‘The steel and the iron behave differently when pulled right away from the magnet. The steel keeps some of its induced magnetism and becomes a permanent magnet. However, the iron loses virtually all of its induced magnetism. It was only a temporary magnet. iron loses steel permanently soles induced in magnetism magnetized iron and steelMAGNETS AND CURRENTS Making a magnet | A piece of steel becomes permanently magnetized when placed near a magnet, but its magnetism is usually weak. It can be magnetized more strongly by as stroking it with one end of a magnet, as on the right. However, the most ioe effective method of magnetizing itis to place it in a long coil of wire and pass see! a large, direct (one-way) current through the coil. The current has a magnetic effect which magnetizes the stel = duced poles attracted Magnetizing a piece of steel by stroking it with a magnet. Magnetic and non-magnetic materials A magnetic material is one which which can be magnetized anc to magnets. All strongly magnetic materials contain iron, nickel, or cobalt. For example, steel is mainly iron. Strongly magnetic metals like this are called ferromagnetics. They are described as hard or soft depending on how well they keep their magnetism when magnetized: Hard magnetic materials such as steel, and alloys called Alcomax and ane pei RU e Magnadus, are difficult to magnetize but do not readily lose their magnetism. oy an alloy (mistues) ‘They are used for permanent magnets. echaaciroutitareteaec Soft magnetic materials such as iron and Mumetal are relatively easy to ferrous metas (ferum is Latin ‘magnetize, but their magnetism is only temporary. They are used in the cores fer ton). Aluminium, copper, and the other non-magnetic metals are non-ferrous of electromagnets and transformers because their magnetic effect can be ‘switched’ on or off or reversed easily. Non-magnetic materials include metals such as brass, copper, zine, tin, and aluminium, as well as non-metals. Where magnetism comes from* In an atom, tiny electrical particles called electrons move around a central nucleus, Each electron has a magnetic effect as it spins and orbits the nucleus. In many types of atom, the magnetic effects of the electrons cancel, but in some they do not, so each atom acts as a tiny magnet. In an unmagnetized material, the atomic magnets point in random directions. But as the material becomes magnetized, more and more of its atomic magnets line up with each other. ‘Together, billions of tiny atomic magnets act as one big magnet. Ifa magnet is hammered, its atomic magnets are thrown out of line: it becomes demagnetized. Heating it to a high temperature has the same effect. 4 Wagnetic materials are attracted ‘to magnets and can be made into magnets Related topics: atoms and electrons & 03: the Earth's magnetism 9.02; electromagnets 9.04; transformers 9409.13,dots on potting paper compass Magnet essentials ‘A magnet has 2 north-seeking (N) pole at one end and a south- seeking (S) pole at the other When two magnets are brought ‘together: like poles repel, unlike poles attract In the photograph below, iron filings have been sprinkled on paper over a bar ‘magnet. The filings have become tiny magnets, pulled into position by forces from the poles of the magnet. Scientifically speaking, there is a magnetic field around the magnet, and this exerts forces on magnetic materials in it. Magnetic field patterns ‘Magnetic fields can be investigated using a small compass. The ‘needle’ is, 1 tiny magnet which is free to turn on its spindle. When near a magnet, the needle is turned by forces between its poles and the poles of the magnet. The needle comes to rest so that the turning effect is zero. ‘The diagram on the left shows how a small compass can be used to plot the field around a bar magnet. Starting with the compass near one end of the ‘magnet, the needle position is marked using two dots. Then the compass is, moved so that the needle lines up with the previous dot... and so on. When the dots are joined up, the result is a magnetic field line, More lines can be drawn by starting with the compass in different positions In the diagram above, a selection of field lines has been used to show the magnetic field around a bar magnet: © The field lines run from the N pole to the S pole of the magnet. The field direction, shown by an arrowhead, is defined as the direction in which the force on a N pole would act. It is the direction in which the N end of a compass needle would point. © The magnetic field is strongest where the field lines are closest together. If two magnets are placed near each other, their magnetic fields combine to produce a single field, Two examples are shown at the top of the next page. At the neutral point, the field from one magnet exactly cancels the field from the other, so the magnetic force on anything at this point is zero.MAGNETS AND CURRENTS ‘4 Between magnets with unlike pole facing, the combined field is ‘almost uniform (even) in stenath, However, between like poles, there is ‘2 neutral point where the combined field strength is zero, ee , * The Earth’s magnetic field’ ‘Some electronic equipment is ‘The Earth has a magnetic field. No one is sure of its cause, although it is easily upset by magnetic fields thought to come from electric currents generated in the Earth’s core. The field from nearby generators, motors, is rather like that around a large, but very weak, bar magnet. transformers, othe Earth. The ‘With no other magnets near it, a compass needle lines up with the Earth’s ad ol easier magnetic field. The N end of the needle points north. But an N pole is always _‘Shelded) by enclosing it in a layer ofa soft magnetic material, attracted to an § pole. So it follows that the Earth's magnetic S pole must be inthe north! Illes under a point in Canada called facet orth. See) 9 SRLS redirects the field so that it does Magnetic north is over 1200 km away from the Earth’s geographic North Pole. not pass through the equipment. ‘This is because the Earth’ magnetic axis is not quite in line with its north south axis of rotation. ‘A The Earth behaves as if it has a lage but very weak bar magnet A A compass is of no use in polar regions because the Earth’s Inside it. ‘magnetic fel lines are vertical 1. In the diagrams on the right, the same compass is being used in both cases. pean ¥ ‘2 Copy diagram A. Label the N and S ends of the t compass needle. b Copy diagram B. Mark in the poles of the magnet to ® x show which is Nand which is, Then draw an fe arrowhead on the field line to show its direction, € In diagram B, at which position, X or Y, would you ‘expect the magnetic field to be the stronger? Related topies: magnetic poles and the Earth's magnetic effect 9.01,MAGNETS AND CURRENTS Magnetic field around a wire Ifan electric current is passed through a wire, as shown below left, a weak Magnet essentials eee magnetic field is produced. The field has these features: SEES IETS the magnetic field lines are circles Show the duecton ofthe fore | @ the field is strongest close to the wire eee ¢@ increasing the current increases the strength of the eld current {conventional | e Arrule for field direction The direction of the magnetic field produced by Current essentials ‘a current is given by the right-hand grip rule shown above right. Imagine Ina circuit the current isa flow gripping the wire with your right hand so that your thumb points in the of electrons: tiny particles which conventional current direction. Your fingers then point in the same direction come from atoms, as the field lines. The current arrows shown on. ‘crcuit diagrams run from + Magnetic fields from coils 10 ~. Thisis the conventional current direction. Elections, baing negatively charged, flow the other way, Accurrent produces a stronger magnetic field if the wire it flows through is ‘wound into a coil. The diagrams below show the magnetic field patterns produced by two current-carrying coils. One is just a single turn of wire. The other is a long coil with many turns. A long coil is called a solenoid. col GeumMAGNETS AND CURRENTS ‘The magnetic field produced by a current-carrying coil has these features: © the field is similar to that from a bar magnet, and there are magnetic poles at the ends of the coil @ increasing the current increases the strength of the field @ increasing the number of turns on the coil increases the strength of the field Arrule for poles* To work out which way round the poles are, you can use another right-hand grip rule, as shown on the right. Imagine gripping the coil with your right hand so that your fingers point in the conventional current direction. Your thumb then points towards the N pole of the coil. ‘Magnets are made ~ and demagnetized — using coils, as shown below. In audio and video cassette recorders, tiny coils are used to put magnetic patterns on tape. The patterns store sound and picture information. Right-hand grip rule for poles Making a magnet Demagnetizing a magnet ‘Above, a steel bar has been placed in a solenoid. When 2 Above, 2 magnet is slowly being pulled out of a solenoid current fs passed through the solenoid, the steel becomes through which an alternating current is passing. Alternating magnetized and makes the magnetic field much stronger than current (AC) flows backwards, forwards, backwards, before, And when the current is switched of, the stee! forwards... and so on. It produces a magnetic field which stays magnetized. Neary all permanent magnets are made __changes dlrection very rapidly and throws the atoms in the inthis way. magnet out of line. ‘The coil in diagram A js producing a magnetic field. a Give two ways in which the strength of the field could be increased. [a b How could the direction of the field be reversed? € Copy the cgram, Show the conventional curent divin andthe N and poles ofthe cl 2: Redraw dlagram to show whch way the compass needles point when a caren flows trough the wie (tse thatthe black end of exch compat: needa a nupolethe conventional crent dro sway rom Yous int the pape and thatthe only magnetic eld ‘that due to the current) ( aR ire (end view) Related topies: curent in acircutt € 04 alternating current 8.42: magnetic poles 9.01; magnetic elds 9.02,battery switch A Asimple electromagnet magnaticescontats ‘hard magnetic material oe example, ste sone which, ven magnetized, doesnot realy lose its magnetism Ast magnetic material or example, on) quick loses its magnetism when the magnetizing field is removed. ‘A. With 2 relay, a small switch can be used to turn on a powerful starter motor. Unlike an ordinary magnet, an electromagnet can be switched on and off. Ina simple electromagnet, a coil, consisting of several hundred turns of insulated copper wire, is wound round a core, usually of iron or Mumetal. When a current flows through the coil, it produces a magnetic field. This magnetizes the core, creating a magnetic field about a thousand times stronger than the coil by itself. With an iron or Mumetal core, the magnetism is only temporary, and is lost as soon as the current through the coil is switched off, Steel would not be suitable as a core because it would become permanently magnetized. ‘The strength of the magnetic field is increased by: © increasing the current © increasing the number of turns in the coil. Reversing the current reverses the direction of the magnetic field. ‘The following all make use of electromagnets. The magnetic relay A magnetic relay is a switch operated by an electromagnet. With a relay, a small switch with thin wires can be used to turn on the current in a much more powerful circuit — for example, one with a large electric motor in it: Spon 1 | Fe usa ‘ornate etc A oS swe contacts € inp eh catpot cca relay : When the switch S in the input circuit is closed, a current flows through the electromagnet. This pulls the iron armature towards it, which closes the contacts C. Asa result, a current flows through the motor. The relay above is of the ‘normally open’ type: when the input switch is OFF, the output circuit is also or. A ‘normally closed’ relay works the opposite way: when the input switch is OFF, the output circuit is oN, In practice, most relays are made so that they can be connected either way. 7 L an i formaty open) : closed) Normally open relay (symbol) Normally closed relay (symbol)MAGNETS AND CURRENTS The circuit breaker A circuit breaker is an automatic switch which cuts off the current in a circuit if this rises above a specified value. It has the same effect as a fuse but, unlike a fuse, can be reset (turned on again) after it has tripped (turned or). In the type shown on the right, the current flows through two contacts and also through an electromagnet. If the current gets too high, the pull of the electromagnet becomes strong enough to release the iron catch, so the contacts ‘open and stop the current. Pressing the reset button closes the contacts again. reset button Magnetic storage* ‘TV studios use magnetic tape, in cassettes, for recording pictures and sounds. ‘The tape consists of a long, thin plastic strip, coated with a layer of iron oxide or similar material. Magnetically, iron oxide is between soft and hard. Once ‘magnetized it keeps its magnetism, but is relatively easy to demagnetize, curent ecto: ready for another recording. The diagram below shows a simple system for magnet recording sound on tape. The hard drive in a computer also stores data asa Circuit breaker pattern of varying magnetism. In both examples, an electromagnet creates the varying magnetic field needed for recording. Later, a playback head can read the pattern to give a varying current, ol ( sound electromagnet in recording head ‘ape magnetized varying magnetism along tape ‘4 Recording on magnetic tape The incoming sound waves, A Computer hard drive The recording head is at the end of are used to vary the current through a tiny electromagnet in the arm, It contains a tiny electromagnet which is used to the recording head. As the tape moves past the head, a track create tracks of varying magnetism on a spinning disc. The dise Cf varying magnetism is created along the tape. is made of aluminium or glass, and is coated with a layer of ‘magnetic material similar to that on a tape. "I An electromagnet has a core. 3 The diagram at the top of the page shows a circuit 2 What is the purpose of the core? breaker. b Why's iron a better material for the core than steel? __a_ What is the purpose of the circuit breaker? ¢ Write down two ways of increasing the strength of, b_ How do you think the performance of the circuit the magnetic field from an electromagnet. breaker would be affected if the coll of the 2 In the diagram on the opposite page, an electric motor, electromagnet had more turns? is controlled by a switch connected to a relay. 4 Sounds can be recorded on tape. ‘a. What is the advantage of using a relay, rather thana a Why isan electromagnet needed for this? ‘switch in the motor circuit itself? b Why must the coating on the tape be between soft b Why does the motor start when switch is closed? ‘and hard magnetically? Related topics: recording 713; using circuit breakers 8.15; magnetic materials 9 0; fla from colls 9.03; using relays 10.04