Unit 4 : Electromagnetism

Following your detailed exploration of Fluid Mechanics in Unit 3, Unit 4 of "Physics Grade 12
new textbook.pdf" shifts focus to Electromagnetism. Building upon your foundational
knowledge of electricity and magnetism, this unit explores their interconnected nature and
profound implications for various technologies.

Magnets and Magnetic Fields: Beyond Attraction and Repulsion

Most of us have encountered magnets in childhood, intrigued by their ability to attract or repel
certain materials. However, underlying these seemingly simple interactions is a fascinating world
of magnetic fields that permeate space and exert forces on moving charges.

Magnetic Fields: Invisible Forces at Play

Just as electric charges create electric fields, moving charges generate magnetic fields. These
fields exert forces on other moving charges and magnetic materials. Unlike electric field lines,
which originate from positive charges and terminate on negative charges, magnetic field lines
form closed loops. This fundamental difference arises from the fact that isolated magnetic poles,
known as magnetic mono-poles, have not been observed in nature.

Visualizing Magnetic Fields

While invisible to the naked eye, we can visualize magnetic fields using magnetic field lines.
The sources use diagrams with iron filings sprinkled around magnets to illustrate these lines
(Figure 4.4). The iron filings align themselves along the magnetic field lines, revealing the shape
and strength of the field. The closer together the field lines, the stronger the magnetic field at that
point.

Permanent Magnets vs. Electromagnets

The sources differentiate between two types of magnets: permanent magnets and
electromagnets. Permanent magnets, like those we use on refrigerators, retain their magnetism
over long periods. Electromagnets, on the other hand, generate magnetic fields only when an
electric current flows through them. This distinction is crucial for understanding the operation of
devices like electric motors and generators.

Current and Magnetism: An Intimate Relationship

For centuries, electricity and magnetism were considered distinct phenomena. However, in the
early 19th century, scientists discovered a profound link between them: moving electric charges
create magnetic fields.

Oersted's Discovery: A Compass Needle's Telltale Twitch

The sources recount Hans Christian Oersted's pivotal observation that a compass needle deflects
near a current-carrying wire. This simple experiment demonstrated that electric currents generate
magnetic fields. This realization opened the door to harnessing the power of electromagnetism.

Ampere's Law: Quantifying the Magnetic Force

Building upon Oersted's discovery, André-Marie Ampere formulated Ampere's Law, which
quantifies the magnetic field produced by a current-carrying wire. The law states that the
magnetic field strength around a straight wire is directly proportional to the current and inversely
proportional to the distance from the wire.

The Right-Hand Rule: Finding the Magnetic Field Direction

To determine the direction of the magnetic field around a current-carrying wire, we use the
right-hand rule. If you point your right thumb in the direction of the conventional current flow
and curl your fingers, your fingers will point in the direction of the magnetic field lines (Figure
4.9).

Electromagnetic Induction: Generating Electricity from Magnetism

While a changing electric field creates a magnetic field, the reverse is also true: a changing
magnetic field induces an electric current. This remarkable phenomenon, known as
electromagnetic induction, forms the foundation for generators, transformers, and countless
other technologies.

Faraday's Experiments: A Magnet's Dance with a Coil

Michael Faraday's experiments demonstrated that moving a magnet near a coil of wire induces
an electric current in the coil. This discovery revolutionized our understanding of electricity and
magnetism, demonstrating their interconnected nature.

Magnetic Flux: Quantifying the Magnetic Field's Influence

To understand Faraday's Law of induction, we need the concept of magnetic flux (ΦB).
Magnetic flux through a surface is a measure of the total magnetic field lines passing through
that surface. It depends on the strength of the magnetic field, the area of the surface, and the
angle between the magnetic field lines and the surface normal.

Faraday's Law of Induction: The Induced EMF

Faraday's Law quantifies electromagnetic induction. It states that the magnitude of the induced
electromotive force (emf), which drives the induced current, is equal to the rate of change of
magnetic flux through a circuit:

 ε = -N(ΔΦB/Δt)
Where:

 ε is the induced emf.

 N is the number of turns of wire in the coil.
 ΔΦB is the change in magnetic flux.
 Δt is the time interval over which the change occurs.

The negative sign in Faraday's Law indicates the direction of the induced emf, as explained by
Lenz's Law.

Lenz's Law: Nature's Opposition to Change

Lenz's Law states that the direction of the induced current is such that it opposes the change in
magnetic flux that produced it. In other words, the induced current creates its own magnetic field
that tries to counteract the original change in flux.

Transformers: Manipulating Voltages with Induction

One of the most important applications of electromagnetic induction is the transformer.

Transformers allow us to step up (increase) or step down (decrease) AC voltages efficiently.

How Transformers Work: Two Coils and a Shared Flux

A transformer consists of two coils of wire, the primary coil and the secondary coil, wrapped
around a common iron core. When an alternating current flows through the primary coil, it
creates a changing magnetic flux in the core. This flux then induces an alternating current in the
secondary coil.

Voltage Transformation: Turns Ratio is Key

The ratio of the number of turns of wire in the primary coil (Np) to the number of turns in the
secondary coil (Ns) determines the voltage transformation ratio:

 Vs/Vp = Ns/Np

Where:

 Vp and Vs are the primary and secondary voltages, respectively.

Step-Up and Step-Down: Tailoring Voltage to Our Needs

Transformers with more turns in the secondary coil than in the primary coil step up the voltage
(Ns > Np), while those with fewer turns step down the voltage (Ns < Np). Transformers are
indispensable for power transmission, allowing us to transmit electricity at high voltages (to
reduce energy losses) and then step down the voltage for safe use in our homes and businesses.
Applications of Electromagnetism: Technology Shaped by Invisible Forces

Electromagnetism underpins countless technologies that define the modern world. From the
electric motors that power our appliances to the generators that produce electricity, our lives are
intertwined with this fundamental force.

Electric Motors: Converting Electrical Energy to Mechanical Energy

Electric motors exploit the interaction between magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors
to generate rotational motion. The sources provide a simplified explanation of a DC motor's
operation (Figure 4.12), highlighting how the magnetic forces between permanent magnets and a
current-carrying loop create torque, causing the loop to rotate.

Generators: Electromagnetic Induction in Action

Generators, essentially electric motors working in reverse, convert mechanical energy into
electrical energy. Rotating a coil of wire in a magnetic field induces an electric current in the coil,
generating electricity.

Beyond Motors and Generators: A World Transformed

Electromagnetism's impact extends far beyond motors and generators. The sources mention a
few applications, including:

 Electric bells: Electromagnets are used to move a hammer that strikes a bell, creating
sound.
 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Strong magnetic fields and radio waves are used
to create detailed images of the inside of the body.
 Particle accelerators: Electromagnets are used to accelerate charged particles to very
high speeds for scientific research.

Safety and Electromagnetism: Respecting the Force

The sources emphasize the importance of safety when working with electromagnetism. High
voltages and strong magnetic fields can pose significant risks if not handled properly. Following
safety guidelines, understanding the equipment being used, and exercising caution are crucial to
prevent accidents.