3−20 Magnetic Fields

Magnetism: Magnetism is the result of spinning or moving charges. Each electron and proton acts like a tiny magnet. In
most substances the protons and electrons balance each other in a manner that cancels the atoms overall magnetism. But in
some substances like iron there is an imbalance that is not cancelled. In these substances the atoms act like tiny magnets. If a
group of these atoms line up with all their north poles in the same orientation the group or domain acts like a larger magnet.
If the smaller domains all line up in a bar of iron, for example, then the entire bar behaves as a magnet, with a north pole and
a south pole. It is similar to electricity, where unlike poles attract, and like poles repel. It is different from electricity since,
separate poles cannot exist by themselves. Magnetism and Electricity are interconnected. Electric fields can influence
magnets, and magnetic fields can influence moving charged particles and current carrying wires.
Magnetic Field Direction In Relation to Fixed Magnets: The magnetic field B comes out of a north pole (like
E comes out of + charges) and goes into a south pole (like E goes into – charges). It must leave and enter the poles
perpendicular to the surface of the magnet. The magnetic field direction is defined as the direction a north needle of a
compass points. The north needle points away from north and towards south. So the Earth’s magnetic south pole is located
near the Earth’s geographic north pole. B is a measure of magnetic field strength, and is analogous to E for electric fields,
and g for gravitational fields.
The Magnetic Field Around a Current Carrying Wire (Right Hand Rule, Case 1)
A current carrying wire generates a magnetic field around
it. The direction of the field is the direction the fingers P
curl around the wire if the thumb points in the direction of
the positive current. The strength of the field is
r
µ I
represented as follows: B= o This measures the I
2π r
field of a wire carrying a current I at a point in space a
distance r from the wire. This formula involves r.
Remember that r is used when a field radiates outward
from a central source. In electricity radial field are Fig 20.1
generated by spherical point charges. In gravity radial
field are generated by spherical point masses, such as planets. This field radiates out from the wire as shown above right. If
you calculate B at point P using the formula above you have also calculated B at any point on the equipotential circle that
P lines on. In fact you have calculated B any point on a cylinder surrounding the wire at a radius r.
What about direction? This is a three dimensional problem, that is diagrammed on paper.
You can only diagram what is happening in the plan of the page above and below the wire. We
are working in a third dimension and must select a convention for depicting the magnetic field Fig 20.2
along the z-axis. Since B is a vector we will use an arrow (traditional vector symbol), Fig 19.2.
When this arrow is coming at you, you will see the point. So positive z is depicted as dot or
circled dot. When this arrow is going away from you, you will see the feathers. So negative z is
depicted as an × or a circled ×. I
Using this convention the field around a carrying wire (Case 1) would look like Fig 19.3.

Fig 20.3

Example 6-1: Superposition of Magnetic Field due to Current Carrying Wires

Calculate the magnetic field caused by two crossed current carrying wires at point P in Fig 19.4.

B=
µo I
= ( 2 × 10−7 )
( 2 ) = 4 ×10−6 T , +z
5 cm P
10 cm
2π r ( 0.1)
B=
µo I
= ( 2 × 10−7 )
( 3) = 1.2 ×10−5 T , -z
I=3A I=2A

2π r ( 0.05)
Add vectors: ( +4 ×10 ) + ( −1.2 ×10 ) = −8.0 ×10
−6 −5 −6
T
so it is 8.0 × 10−6 T , − z direction Fig 20.4

Revised 8/29/06 71 © R H Jansen

The Force of Magnetism on Charged Particle (Right Hand Rule, Case 2)
Charged particles are spinning and generate their own magnetic field and behave like tiny magnets. If you fire them between
two large fixed magnets they will be interact with the larger magnetic field. When fields interact there is force. The force is
equal and opposite, as always. The fixed magnets attract the particles, just as the particles are attracted to the fixed magnets.
FB = qvB sin θ Force on a charged particle (small q, point charge) traveling
A
(velocity, v) in a magnetic field (B). You can drop sinθ if you know the angle is 90o.
This force is only felt on the component of velocity perpendicular to the field. The D
angle θ is the angle between the particles velocity and the magnetic field that it travels C B θ
in. In the example to the right the magnetic field is represented by arrows pointing in
the –y direction. Particles A and B experience no force since they have a θ equal to
0o and 180o. Particle C experiences the most force (if all particles entered the field at B
the same speed) since θ = 90 . Particle D will have a force equal to the component of
o Fig 20.5
its velocity that is perpendicular to the field. Make sure thatthe problem gives you the
correct angle, between the particle velocity and the magnetic field. Problems often try to give the wrong angle to see if you
are awake.

FB = qv × B is a cross product of vectors. In a cross product the greatest value is obtained when the vectors are
perpendicular, allowing sinθ to reach its largest value of 1.

Take another look at the problem on the previous page: The field B is going into the page (-z) at point P. If
a positive charge +q is at this point and has an instantaneous velocity of 5x104 m/s, what is the magnitude and direction of
force on the particle?
FB = qvB = (1.6 × 10 −19 )( 5 × 104 )( 8.0 × 10−6 ) = 6.4 × 10−20 N , + y direction
Direction the Particle Will Deflect: Use the right hand rule for positive charge and the left hand for negative charge.
The charged particle will follow the right hand rule: The thumb is the charged particles velocity, the
extended fingers represent the magnetic field, and the palm slapping represents the force that causes the
charged particle to change direction. Remember if a force hits you from behind and parallel to your
motion, you speed up. If a force hits you from in front and parallel to your motion you slow down. If a
force hits at a right angle to your motion, you change direction (either projectile motion, or circular motion
depending on the field). A positive charge is fired into a field in Fig 19.6. The field B extends into the
page, -z. Use the right hand rule tracing the path of the particle with the thumb, and keeping the fingers
into the board. It traces a semicircle with the palm FB pointing to the center of the circle.
v2
FC = FB m = qvB we can drop sinθ since all vectors are 90o apart Fig 20.6
r
A charged particle flying in a magnetic field will move in a circular path. All vectors are perpendicular to each other.
The force on a charged particle in a magnetic field is always perpendicular, so no work is done in this case.
Charges Accelerated Through a Potential Difference that Subsequently Enter a Magnetic Field
1 2
qV = mv ( not given) In the electric field a charge q is accelerated through a potential – +
2
difference. It then enters a magnetic field. In this case an electron is accelerated through the – +
potential difference. So you use the left hand to find the direction of the charge once it enters
the magnetic field. The direction is clockwise. The force causing the electron into circular – +
2
v
motion is FE. FC = FB which leads to m = qvB (not given) . Also the electron has a – +
r
– +
2π r v2
tangential velocity of v = not given and a centripetal acceleration of ac = .
T r +
While work is done accelerating the electron (force through a distance) by the electric field, Fig 20.7
no work is done on the electron while it is in the magnetic field. Substituting 90o into the
work equation W = F ⋅ s cos θ gives an answer of W = 0 . At any instant the direction of motion (tangent) is
perpendicular to the center seeking force FB.
What would a proton do? The opposite. In the above scenario the proton would circle counter clockwise. The
particle experiencing the motion can be switched, the plates & electric field can be switched. Also the magnetic field could

Revised 8/29/06 72 © R H Jansen

be draw out of the paper. Be prepared for anything. Use the right hand for positive charges and the left for negative charges.
Analyze the situation carefully!
The Force of Magnetism on Current Carrying Wire (Right Hand Rule, Case 3)
Note that this is different from case 1. In case 1 we dealt with the magnetic field created by and surrounding a current
carrying wire. In this scenario we will put a wire into a magnetic field created by two large fixed magnets. Then we will turn
the current on. The wire will then turn into a magnet as well. The magnetic field of the fixed magnets will then interact with
the magnetic field of the current carrying wire. When fields interact there is a force. The force will be equal and opposite,
but the larger magnetic field is created by fixed magnets. The smaller field will be in a wire which is free to move. So the
larger fixed field will cause the wire to jump. This is the basis for the electric motor and for stereo speakers.
FB = BI A sin θ is the force of a large fixed magnetic field on a current carrying wire where a length A of the wire is in
the larger magnetic field. Use sinθ as above.
Direction the Wire Will Deflect: Use the right hand rule for positive FB
current and the left hand for negative current. Use the right hand rule in Fig
19.8. The thumb is the direction of charge movement, as before, except now it
is charges Q moving in the wire to create a current I. So the thumb is the I
direction of positive current I. The fingers are held straight and are the
direction of the magnetic field as before. The direction the palm will slap is
the direction of the force magnetic FB. For negative current use the left hand. Fig 20.8 A

Calculus: F = v∫ Id A × B

Electric and Magnetic Fields in the Same Location

In some problems a region of space will hold an electric and a magnetic field. Typically the electric plates that generate the
electric field E are drawn, while the magnets that create the magnetic field B are located out of and into the page. In this
orientation the magnetic field is either in the +z or – z direction, while the electric field is in either the +y or –y direction.
But, you can expect other variations of this configuration. Lets follow a charge particle that enters this dual field.
A proton traveling through the charged plates as configured would normally
experience projectile motion. The electric field extends downward from the
positive plate to the negative plate (direction a positive test charge would
move). But, in this problem the proton continues in a straight line. Since the FB
force of the electric field is in the y direction, we should sum our forces in this v
direction. FE

∑ Fy = − FE + FB The other force that is countering force electric is force

magnetic, since this problem deals with two overlapping, but different fields. Fig 20.9
It is not moving in the y direction so the sum of force must be zero.
0 = − FE + FB FE = FB qE = qvB E = vB
Example 20-1: Combining Some of the Key Problems into One

v FB

Fig 19.10 FE

1 2
qV = mv FE = FB FC = FB
2
2qV v2
v= qE = qvB m = qvB
m r
v is constant for the rest of the problem. E = vB B is in -z-direction B=
mv
qr

Revised 8/29/06 73 © R H Jansen

Revised 8/29/06 74 © R H Jansen
 3−21 Ampère’s Law
Note: Ampère’s Law is needed for AP Physics C: physical science majors, calculus based.
Ampère’s Law and The Magnetic Field Around a Current Carrying Wire (Case 1 revisited)
Previously we learned that a current carrying wire generates a magnetic field that circles the wire and varies proportional with
the distance from the wire. If we integrate along the path of this circular field, by summing the magnetic field over very
small distance it is found to be v∫ B ⋅ d A = µ I
0 . The permeability of free space to the magnetic field is

µ 0 = 4π ×10−7 T ⋅ m A .
It is useful for calculating the magnetic field around current carrying configurations that have a high degree of symmetry.

Example 21-1: Magnetic Field Around a Current Carrying Wire.

I
Solve for the magnetic field a distance r from a current carrying wire, in Fig 21.

Use Ampère’s Law, v∫ B ⋅ d A = µ I . As it is highly symmetrical B can be removed

0
r
dA
from the integral, B v∫ d A = µ I . The circumference of a circle is known, so integration
0
Fig 21.1
µ I
is not necessary, B ( 2π r ) = µ 0 I . Rearrange to solve for B, B= 0 , and we
2π r
arrive at the algebraic version of the equation, that was given previously.

Solenoid: A solenoid is a wire wound in the form of a helix, as shown in fig 21.2
Magnetic Field of a Solenoid: A The magnetic field in a solenoid is strongest down the middle. The direction follows
the right hand rule. The magnetic field is weak around the outside, and in many problems it may say that the field is
negligible on the outside. The magnitude of the field is BS = µ 0 nI
N
n is the number of turns, N, in the solenoid per unit of length, A. n= .
A
A solenoid is a tightly wound coil of wire
where each successive coil touches the next
coil. This means that the diameter of the wire
making up the solenoid is equal to the length
1 dia.
of a single turn, n = ,
diameter of wire
as shown in Fig 21.2.
Magnetic Flux: The same principles and
explanations apply to magnetic flux as they
do the electric flux (see previous section on
A of 1 turn = wire dia. A of 10 turns = 10 wire dia.
Gauss’s Law). φm = ∫ B ⋅ dA . This is a
Fig 21.2
dot product. The algebraic version is
φm = B ⋅ A=BAcosθ . Caution: remember that flux involves area. When referencing areas angles are measured from
a normal (line drawn perpendicular to the surface).

Gauss’s Law of Magnetism: The net magnetic flux through any closed surface is always zero. v∫ B ⋅ dA = 0

Revised 8/29/06 75 © R H Jansen