PRASHANT KIRAD

Magnetic Effects of Electric Current

Hans Christian Oersted found that if you put a compass

next to a wire with an electric current flowing through it,
the needle in the compass would move. He thought this
happened because the electric current created a magnetic
field, which caused the compass needle to deflect.

Magnetic fields:
The region around a magnet where a magnetic force is felt is called the
magnetic field. It's a vector quantity, and its unit in the International
System of Units (SI) is the tesla.

Magnetic field Lines:

Imaginary lines that depict the magnetic field are
observed when iron fillings are placed near a
magnet, forming a pattern that illustrates the
arrangement of magnetic field lines.

● Magnetic field lines start at the North pole of a magnet

and extend to the South pole outside the magnet.
However, within the magnet, the direction is from South
to North.
● They create unbroken, closed curves.
● The tangent indicates the direction of the magnetic field at any point on
the magnetic field lines.
● Magnetic field lines never intersect each other.
● When magnetic field lines are closely spaced, the magnetic field is
stronger. Conversely, the magnetic field is weaker if the field lines are
spaced farther apart.
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The magnetic field is produced by a current flowing through a straight conductor.

● Magnetic field lines form concentric circles with the

center at the wire.
● The strength of the magnetic field increases with an
increase in current.
● The strength of the magnetic field decreases as we move
away from the wire.

# Maxwell's Right-Hand thumb Rule:

Maxwell's Right-Hand Thumb Rule helps you find the

direction of the magnetic field around a wire with
current. Point your thumb in the direction of the
current, and the way your fingers curl shows the
magnetic field's direction.

# Magnetic field due to a current through a

circular Loop:

When current flows through a circular loop:

1. Inside the loop, the magnetic field runs along the axis.
2. Outside the loop, it forms concentric circles.
3.The field's strength depends on the current and loop size.
4. The direction inside is determined by the current using
the right-hand rule.

# Magnetic field due to current in a solenoid:

*Whe cu n flow t o g a so id*
1. Magnetic field lines run through the core.
2. It resembles the magnetic field around a
bar magnet.
3. Strength depends on current and the
number of turns in the solenoid.
4. The field's direction is determined by the
right-hand rule.
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Electromagnet:
An electromagnet is a temporary magnet created by
passing an electric current through a coil of wire. It
exhibits magnetic properties only when the current
flows, making it useful in various applications like
doorbells and electric locks. The strength of the
electromagnet can be adjusted by changing the current
or the number of coils in the wire.

Force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field:

When a current-carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field:

1. It experiences a force perpendicular to both the current direction and the

magnetic field direction.
2. The force's strength increases with the amount of current and the strength of
the magnetic field.
3. The direction of the force is determined by Fleming's Left-Hand Rule, where the
thumb represents motion, the forefinger indicates magnetic field, and the middle
finger denotes current direction.

# Fleming's Left Hand rule:

Fleming's Left-Hand Rule is a way to figure out the direction of three things: the
magnetic field (first finger), the current (second finger), and the force or motion (thumb).
*

Imagine holding your left hand with your

thumb, first finger, and second finger at
right angles to each other. If you point your
first finger in the direction of the magnetic
field, and the second finger in the direction
of the current, then your thumb will point in
the direction of the force or motion. It helps
to remember how these three things are
related in a magnetic field.
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Secret Questions
1) Why do two magnetic field lines not intersect?
Sol o : Magnetic field lines do not intersect because if they did, it would
imply that at the point of intersection, a compass needle would need to show
two different directions simultaneously, which is not possible.

2) What is meant by the term, 'magnetic field'? Why does a compass needle
show deflection when brought near a bar magnet?
Sol o : The magnetic field is the space surrounding a magnet where a magnetic
material feels a force due to that magnet. The compass needle, acting like a small
bar magnet, enters the magnetic field of another bar magnet. As a result, the
needle encounters a force from the bar magnet, causing it to deflect.

3) Name and state the rule that determines the direction of the magnetic field
around a straight current-carrying conductor.
Sol o : The Right-Hand Thumb Rule involves holding a current-carrying
straight conductor in your right hand with the thumb pointing in the direction
of the current. The fingers then wrap around the conductor in the direction
of the magnetic field lines.

4) Why are magnetic field lines more crowded towards the pole of the
magnet?
Sol o : Magnetic field lines are more crowded towards the poles of a magnet
because the magnetic field is stronger in those regions due to the
convergence of field lines, indicating higher magnetic force.

5) List two sources of magnetic fields.

Sol o : a. Permanent Magnets Materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt can be
magnetized, creating permanent magnets.
b. Electric Currents: Flowing electric currents create magnetic fields.
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Galvanometer:
A device capable of sensing the presence of an electric
current in a circuit. The needle stays at the zero position
(center of the scale) when there is no current. Depending
on the current direction, the pointer can shift to either the
left or right of the zero mark on the scale.

Domestic Circuit:
● Electricity generated at power stations is conveyed to our homes
through two robust copper or aluminum wires.
● One of these wires is known as the live wire, distinguished by its
red insulation cover, and it operates at a voltage of 220 V with a
frequency of 50 Hz.
● The other is termed the neutral wire, identifiable by its black
insulation cover, and it is at zero potential.
● The live and neutral wires enter an electricity meter, commonly
installed in homes, through a primary fuse.
● They are linked to the line wires in the home through a primary
switch.
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● Each distribution circuit is equipped with an individual fuse. In the

event of a fault, such as a short circuit in one circuit, its respective
fuse blows, while the other circuit remains unaffected.

● All electric appliances, such as bulbs and fans, are connected in

parallel across the live wire and neutral wire.

The electric supply reaching our homes has two wires:

1. Live Wire (Phase Wire): Typically colored red or brown, it carries the
current from the power source to the electrical appliances.
2. Neutral Wire: Usually blue or black, it completes the circuit by
providing a return path for the current to flow back to the power source.

EARTH WIRE:
The earth wire, often green or bare, is a safety wire in electrical circuits. It
provides a path for excess electrical current to safely flow into the ground,
preventing electric shocks and ensuring safety in case of faults.
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Fuse:
A safety device made of a thin wire composed of a tin and
lead alloy with a low melting point. Its purpose is to
prevent potential damage caused by overloading and
short-circuiting.

Top 7 Questions:
1) What are permanent magnets and electromagnets? Give two uses of each.
[CBSE 2010]
Sol o :
Permanent Magnet: It has a constant magnetic field around it. e.g. generator,
loudspeaker.
Electromagnet: When a soft iron is placed in a solenoid it gets magnetized till
there is current in the solenoid, e.g. electric bells, or cranes.

2) Differentiate overloading and short-circuiting. (CBSE 2010)

Sol o :
Overloading means to draw current more than the permitted maximum current in
the circuit which may be due to connecting many appliances in one socket. In short,
circuiting, when live wire and neutral wire come in contact with each other then the
resistance of the circuit becomes minimal consequently the current in the circuit
increases abruptly. It may be due to damage to the insulation of the wire.

3) What happens to the deflection of the compass needle placed at a point near the
current carrying a straight conductor: (CBSE 2011, 2014)
a. if the current is increased?
b. if the direction of current in the conductor is changed (reversed)?
c. if the compass is moved away from the conductor?
Sol o :
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a. If the current increases deflection of the compass increases.

b. If the direction of current is reversed the deflection in the compass needle is
also reversed.
c. The deflection of the compass needle decreases when a compass is moved away
from the conductor.

4) (a) Which effect of the electric current is utilized in the working of an

electrical fuse?
(b) A fuse is connected in series or parallel in a household circuit? (c)
Draw a schematic labeled diagram of a domestic circuit that has a
provision of a main fuse, meter, one light bulb, and a switch socket.
Sol o :
a. Heating effect of current
b. In series in the household circuit
C.

5) State one main difference between AC and DC. Why AC is preferred over DC
for long-range transmission of electric power? Name one source for each of AC and
DC. (CBSE 2012)
Sol o :
The magnitude and direction of ac remain the same whereas a.c. changes
its magnitude and direction periodically. Low AC voltage can be increased
to high voltage to prevent loss of electric energy during its long-distance
transmission. AC generator and DC generator/or cell.
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6) (a) Mention the color code used for live, neutral, and earth wire.
(b) You want to connect a 2 kW electric oven to the electric circuit. In which power
line would you connect it and why? What may happen if you connect it wrongly to the
other power line?
Sol o :
(a) Live wire – Red Neutral wire – Black Earth wire – Green
(b) 2 kW electric iron draws a large current. If it is connected to a socket of
5A then the fuse will be blown. So it is connected to the power socket of 15 A

7) (a) State the function of a fuse in an electric circuit. How is it connected

in the domestic circuit?
(b) An electric fuse of rating 3A is connected in a circuit in which an electric
iron of power 1.5 kilo watt is connected which operates at 220 V. What would
happen? Explain.
Sol o :
(a) Fuse is a safety device to prevent damage to electrical devices from short
circuits or overloading. A fuse is connected in series with the circuit.

Competency-based Questions:
1. A magnetic field is described by drawing the magnetic field lines. When a small north magnetic
1)is The
pole electric
placed currentfield
in the magnetic in acreated
circuitbygenerates
a magnet, ita will
magnetic field
experience around
a force. Andit.ifThis field
the north
pole is free, it will move under the influence of magnetic field. The path traced by a north magnetic
is free
pole a vector
to movequantity with
under the both magnitude
influence of a magneticand direction.
field Magnetic
is called a fieldline.
magnetic field lines runthe
Since from
direction of magnetic
the north pole to field
thelinesouth
is the pole,
direction of force
forming on a north
closed pole, so
curves. Thethefield's
magnetic field linesis
strength
always begin from the N-pole of a magnet and end on the S-pole of the magnet. Inside the magnet,
determined
however by the
the direction proximity
of magnetic oflines
field these lines:
is from the closer
S-pole ofmeans stronger,
the magnet and farther
to the N-pole of the
magnet. Thus, the magnetic field lines are closed curves.
means weaker. Increasing current enhances the magnetic field. When a small compass is moved along a
magnetic field line, the compass needle always sets itself along the line tangential to it. So, a line
drawn from the south pole of the compass needle to its north pole indicates the direction of the
magnetic field at that point
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Using the right-hand rule, holding a current-carrying conductor aligns the fingers
with the current's direction and the thumb with the magnetic field's direction.
For intensified magnetic fields, solenoids, coils of wire wound into a cylindrical
shape, are used. More turns in the wire or greater current increase the field's
(i) The magnetic field lines
strength. Solenoids
(a) intersect at rightare
anglevital in another
to one creating electromagnets, especially for magnetizing
(b) intersect at an angle of 45° to each other
materials.
(c) do not cross one another
a)(d)What
cross determines
at an angle of the strength
60° to of the magnetic field around a current-carrying
one another.
conductor?
(ii) A strong bar magnet is placed vertically above a horizontal wooden board. The
b)magnetic
How doeslinesincreasing
of force willcurrent
be affect the magnitude of the magnetic field?
(a) only in horizontal plane around the magnet
c)(b)
What isvertical
only in the role of around
plane solenoids
the in creating strong magnetic fields?
magnet
Sol(c) in horizontal as well as in vertical planes around the magnet
(d) o : the planes around the magnet.
in all
a) The strength is determined by the proximity of magnetic field lines, with closer
(iii) Magnetic field lines can be used to determine
lines
(a) indicating
the shape ofa the
stronger field.
magnetic field
b) (b) only the direction of the magnetic field
Increasing the current through the electrical circuit increases the magnitude of
(c) only the relative strength of the magnetic field
the(d)magnetic
both the field.
direction and the relative strength of the magnetic field.
c) Solenoids, formed by winding insulated copper wire into a cylindrical shape, are
used to produce strong magnetic fields, particularly in making electromagnets.

2) The domestic electric circuit consists of a red insulated cover called a live wire, a
(v) Which of the following is not true about magnetic field lines?
wire
(a) with black
Magnetic insulation
field lines are called a neutral
the closed wire, and
and continuous a wire with green insulation called
curve.
an (b) No two
Earth field
wire. We lines can that
know crossthe
eachfuse
other.
is connected in series with the circuit to prevent
(c) Crowdness of field lines represents the strength of magnetic field.
damage
(d) Theto electrical
direction appliances
of field and the
lines is from thenorth
circuit
polefrom
to theoverloading. Overloading
south pole inside a bar occurs
magnet.
when the live wire and the neutral wire come in direct contact with each other. Because
of2.this currentcopper
An insulated through
wirethe circuit
wound increases
on a cylindrical suddenly.
cardboard Also,
tube such overloading
that its lengthmay
is occur
greater than its diameter is called a solenoid. When an electric current is passed through
because of connecting many appliances to a single socket. The Earth wire which is green
the solenoid, it produces a magnetic field around it. The magnetic field produced by a
in current-carrying
color is connected to ais metal
solenoid similar plate
to the deep in the
magnetic fieldearth nearbythe
produced house.
a bar This
magnet. Thetype of
field lines inside the solenoid are in the form of parallel straight lines. The strong magnetic
safety measure is used in appliances like electric presses, toasters, table fans,
field produced inside a current-carrying solenoid can be used to magnetise a piece of
refrigerators, etc.like
magnetic material The
softEarth wireplaced
iron, when givesinside
a low-resistance conducting
the solenoid. The strength of path for the
magnetic
field produced by a current carrying solenoid is directly proportional to the number of turns
electric current.
and strength In this
of current way,
in the it protects us from severe electric shock. All the
solenoid.
appliances are connected in parallel circuits so that the potential difference across
i) The strength of magnetic field inside a long current-carrying straight solenoid is
each appliance will be the same.
(a) more at the ends than at the centre
(b) minimum in the middle
(c) same at all points
a. What are the three wires in a domestic electric
(d) found to increase from one end to the other.
circuit and their respective
colors?
 PRASHANT KIRAD

(ii) The north-south polarities of an electromagnet can be

found easily by using
b. Why(a)
is Fleming's
a fuse connected in series with the circuit, and how does it prevent
right-hand rule
(c) Clock face rule
overloading?
(b) Fleming's left-hand rule
c. How (d)
doesLeft-hand thumb wire
the Earth rule. contribute to electrical safety in appliances, and

what is (iii)
its For a current intoa long
connection the straight
earth?solenoid N-and S-poles are created at the two
ends. Among the following statements, the incorrect statement is
Sol o :
(a) The field lines inside the solenoid are in the form of straight lines which
a. Live indicates
wire (red),
that neutral wire
the magnetic (black),
field and at
is the same earth wireinside
all points (green).
the solenoid.
(b) The strong magnetic field produced inside the solenoid can be used to
b. A fuse prevents
magnetise overloading
a piece by breaking
of magnetic material the
like soft circuit
iron, wheninside
when placed theretheiscoil.
a sudden
(c) Theinpattern
increase of the
current, magneticcaused
typically field associated
by thewith
livethe
andsolenoid is different
neutral wires coming in
from the pattern of the magnetic field around a bar magnet.
direct
(d) contact.
The N- and S-poles exchange position when the direction of current through
the solenoid is reversed.
c.The Earth wire provides a low-resistance path for electric current and is
(iv) Ato
connected longa solenoid
metal carrying a current
plate in produces
the earth a magnetic
near field B along
the house, its axis. If
protecting against
the current is double and the number of turns per cm is halved, then new value of
severe magnetic
electricfield
shocks.
is
(a) B (b) 2B (c) 4B (d) B/2