Heating and Magnetic Effects of Electric

Current

During your childhood, have you ever accidentally touched a light

switch and suddenly experienced a jolt of ​electricity​? Well, even
though the tingling goes away in a few minutes, we couldn’t get over
the feeling of shock that we received. For days we avoid touching
another light switch, eventually getting over the fear. But how and
why this happened? And what exactly are the ​heating​ and ​magnetic
effects of electric current? Let’s find out.

Electric Current

(Source: Wikipedia)

Electric current is the flow of ​electrons​ in a circuit. To make it easier

to understand, imagine water flowing through a pipe. The water
flowing through pipes is similar to electrons flowing through wires.
Let ‘I’ denote the current which is measured in ​Ampere​ which is
equivalent to the flow of one coulomb per second (6.241 x 1018
electrons).

When we switch on a light bulb, it is due to the heating effect of

electric current, and when we turn the ceiling fan on, it is due to the
magnetic effect of current. Let us learn more about the heating and
magnetic effects of electric current.

Heating Effects of Electric Current

The fundamental law of conservation of ​energy​ states that the total

energy in an isolated system is always constant. It means that energy
can neither be created nor destroyed – it can only be transferred from
one form to the other.
To understand this, take a look at this example. When we line up a
row of dominoes and tip over the first piece, it results in a chain
reaction which causes them to fall. This happens because the
mechanical energy​ of the first domino is transferred to the mechanical
energy of the next domino and so on. And the energy remains
mechanical, as it is passed on from one domino unto another.

How does it work?

An electric current is passing through a conductor which becomes hot

after some time and produces heat. This is due to the conversion of
some of the electrical energy that passes through the conductor, into
heat energy. This effect of electric current is called the heating effect
of current.

Mathematical Expression of Heat Produced

When a unit charge moves from one point to the other, some work is
required to do so. The potential difference is the measure of work that
is done in moving the charge across the circuit. Current in a circuit is
equal to the amount of charge flowing in one second.

Therefore, work that is done in moving charge ‘Q’ through a potential

difference ‘V’ in time ‘t’ is given by

Workdone = ​potential difference​ × current × time

W = VIt

Using ohm’s law, we know

V = IR

Therefore work can also be expressed as

W = (IR) It = I​2​Rt

Thus, we can say that the heat produced is directly proportional to

resistance, to time and the square of the current.

Some applications of the Heating Effect

1. When you are late for work or for a date, you need to iron your
shirt; you reach over for the iron. This is the most basic
example of the heating effect.
2. In a microwave oven, electric energy is converted into heat
which gives us some of the most delicious food and desserts to
eat.
3. When girls find it hard to tame their hair, they turn to their hair
curler or straightener. When you touch your hair, it feels warm
to the touch. Well, it’s because it works on the same principle.

Learn more about ​Magnetic Field and Magnetic Force here​ in detail

Magnetic Effects of Electric Current

Let us set up a simple electric circuit consisting of a wire, a battery, a

switch and a bulb. When current passes through the circuit, the bulb
lights​ up. Now try bringing a magnetic compass near the circuit and
notice how the needle deflects when the circuit is complete.

These effects are called the magnetic effects of electric current and
they occur because they experience a force. The first scientist who
showed that electric current also produces magnetic effect was Hans
Christian Oersted.

The direction of the force depends on the direction of the current that
flows through the conductor. You can find the direction with the
simple right-hand rule, which states that: the index finger points in the
direction of velocity ‘v’, middle finger points to the direction of
 magnetic field ‘B’ and the thumb points in the direction of the cross
product ‘F’. The magnetic field can be denoted by

=q

A magnetic field is formed around a conductor when current flows

through it which means it acts like a magnet. We also know that in
magnets, unlike poles attract and like poles repel each other.

We know that in magnets like poles repel and unlike poles attract each
other, so depending on the direction of the magnetic field induced, the
conductor will either get attracted to or get repelled by the permanent
magnet.

Electric Bell

When you aren’t busy knocking on doors, you are definitely ringing
the doorbell. But have you ever wondered how a bell actually works?
Well, one application of electromagnets is an electric bell.

This brings us to the question: what is an electromagnet? The

magnetic effects of electric current can be used to make an
electromagnet.
Learn more about ​the Symbols of Electric Component here​.

Experiment

How: Take a wire and wrap it around an iron rod in many turns. As
long as we apply current to the rod, it will act as a magnet. And this
type of magnet is defined as an electromagnet. Now, increase the
number of turns of wire and watch it become a more powerful magnet.
It will then attract a piece of iron attached to the clapper which hits the
bell, in turn, making it ring. So, now you understand the basic
principle behind the working of your doorbell.

Other applications of the electromagnet are in the following things

that we use.

1. Though they have been replaced by mobile phones, telephones

still remain a part of our household. Electromagnets are used in
the earpiece of a telephone where your sound is converted into
electric current by the mouthpiece.
2. Even the radio in our cars that we listen to when we are stuck
in traffic use electromagnets. Radio signals are a form of
electromagnetic waves.
Solved Example for You

Q: An electric heater kept in a vacuum is heated continuously by

passing electric current. It’s temperature will:

A. go on rising with time

B. stop after some time as it will lose heat to the surroundings by
conduction
C. rise for some time and thereafter will start falling
D. become constant after some time because of loss of heat due to
radiation

Ans: D. become constant after some time because of loss of heat due
to radiation

Treating initially that there is no radiation and after applying a voltage

to the heater, the temperature of the heater rises. As the temperature
rises, the radiation also increases. As the input power (i​2​R) is constant,
the output power should also be constant. When the heater reaches a
certain temperature, the radiation power equals the input power and
the temperature of the heater stops rising. Thus temperature becomes
constant after some time.
Symbols of Electric Components

Have you ever imagined how ​energy​ is delivered to the ​light​ bulb?
From the exterior we can only see ​electric​ boards and switches, but
what is present inside? For the transfer of electric current, there is a
need for different components. Since our childhood, we have been
made familiar to the fact that ‘wires’ are the prime source of
transferring current. But, now you will learn how other prominent
elements such as resistors, capacitors etc., play a vital role in
transferring current. These components are denoted as specific electric
symbols which are used for theoretical representations. Let us study
more about the symbols of the electric components below. We hope
by the end of it, you’ll have better clarity on the same.

Introduction to Electric Symbols

Whenever we read or study about electric current, it is important to

stay familiar about the various associated components. At present,
there are many electric symbols which are used to identify or represent
a basic electrical device.

What is the purpose of these symbols? They are generally used to

create a circuit diagram. In addition, these are internationally
standardized by the IEEE standard (IEEE Std. 315) and the British
Standard (BS 3939). Do remember that, literally NO changes can be
made by the user concerning any electronic symbol. However, the
user has the liberty to bring modifications in the architectural
drawings such as lighting and power source.

Electric Symbols

You can check out the symbols for various electronic devices as
shown below. Not only the circuit symbols, but each device also has a
designated short name. Do not confuse these names with the approved
standard notations, since these are commonly used by most people.

Wire

A wire is used to connect an individual component to another.

Wires Joined
A single device can be linked to another through wires. It is a
representation by sketching “blobs” where they are touched or
shorted.

Unjoined Wires

It should be known that whenever circuits are sketched some wires

may not touch others. Hence, this can be represented by drawing them
with no blobs.

Power Supply

The presence of power supply in an electronic circuit is basically to

convert high voltage AC electricity to an appropriate low voltage
supply. A power supply is capable of breaking down into several
blocks, where each can perform a specific function.

Cell

A cell is used to offer electric supply to the circuit.

Battery

A battery is more than a cell and performs the same purpose.

Moreover, the smaller terminal acts as the negative, whereas the larger
end is positive.

DC Supply
Considering a DC power supply, the current would always move in a
single direction.

AC Supply

Among electric symbols, with an AC power supply, the current would

move in alternating directions.

Transformer
It is used as an AC power supply that comprises of two coils. One is
the primary and the other acts as the secondary. Both of these are
associated on an iron core. However, there is no physical connection
among the two coils. In a transformer, the mutual inductance is the
prime principle which is utilized to obtain power.

Resistor

A resistor in an electric circuit behaves as a passive two-terminal

component which produces electrical resistance. Further, resistors can
be used to decrease current flow, manage signal levels and divide
voltages.

It is to curb the amount of current which is flowing through the

device.

Rheostat
The function of the rheostat is focused on controlling the flow of
current with two contacts. This electric component is applicable for
controlling capacitor charge rate, lamp brightness etc.

Capacitor

You can call a capacitor a component that holds the ability to ​store
energy​ as ​electrical charge​. This function is produced by the ​potential
difference​ across its ​plates​.

It is a device which is used to pile up electrical energy. A ​capacitor

consists of two ​metals​ plates which are separated with a ​dielectric​.
Further, it is used as a filter to restrict DC signals and permit AC
signals.

Variable Capacitor
A variable capacitor is used to vary capacitance using the knob. A
popular type of variable capacitor can be seen in the form of trimmer
capacitor, which is quite small in size.

Question For You

Q. Explain the formation and application of the batteries?

Ans. A battery is basically the merger of two or more cells. The

purpose of a battery is to feed electric current. For this, you need to
connect the positive terminal of cell 1 to the negative terminal of cell
2. In order to identify the positive & negative terminals, do look for +
and – symbols respectively. Batteries are utilized in a number of
devices such as torch lights, calculators, watches, mobile phones,
video games and even automobiles. Almost every electronic device
that we use today runs on batteries, thereby adding to their usability.