MAGNETIC EFFECT OF CURRENT - I

1. Magnetic Effect of Current – Oersted’s Experiment

2. Ampere’s Swimming Rule
3. Maxwell’s Cork Screw Rule
4. Right Hand Thumb Rule
5. Biot – Savart’s Law
6. Magnetic Field due to Infinitely Long Straight Current –
carrying Conductor
7. Magnetic Field due to a Circular Loop carrying current
8. Magnetic Field due to a Solenoid

Created by C. Mani, Principal, K V No.1, AFS, Jalahalli West, Bangalore

Magnetic Effect of Current:
An electric current (i.e. flow of electric charge) produces magnetic effect in
the space around the conductor called strength of Magnetic field or simply
Magnetic field.

Oersted’s Experiment:
N
When current was allowed to flow through a E
wire placed parallel to the axis of a magnetic
needle kept directly below the wire, the needle
was found to deflect from its normal position.
I
K

I
N
When current was reversed through the wire,
E
the needle was found to deflect in the
opposite direction to the earlier case.

K
Rules to determine the direction of magnetic field:
Ampere’s Swimming Rule or
SNOW Rule:
Imagining a man who swims in the
direction of current from south to north
facing a magnetic needle kept under
him such that current enters his feet
then the North pole of the needle will
deflect towards his left hand, i.e. I
S
towards West.
I I
Maxwell’s Cork Screw Rule or Right
Hand Screw Rule:
If the forward motion of an imaginary
right handed screw is in the direction of
the current through a linear conductor,
then the direction of rotation of the
screw gives the direction of the
magnetic lines of force around the
conductor.
B B
 I
Right Hand Thumb Rule or Curl Rule:
If a current carrying conductor is imagined to be
held in the right hand such that the thumb points
in the direction of the current, then the tips of the
fingers encircling the conductor will give the
direction of the magnetic lines of force.

Biot – Savart’s Law: B

The strength of magnetic field dB due to a small
current element dl carrying a current I at a point
P distant r from the element is directly x
r
proportional to I, dl, sin θ and inversely P
proportional to the square of the distance (r2) θ
where θ is the angle between dl and r.
dl
I dl sin θ
i) dB α I dB α
r2 I
ii) dB α dl
P’
iii) dB α sin θ μ0 I dl sin θ
dB =
iv) dB α 1 / r2 4π r2
Biot – Savart’s Law in vector form:

μ0 I dl x r
dB =
4π r2

μ0 I dl x r
dB =
4π r3

Value of μ0 = 4π x 10-7 Tm A-1 or Wb m-1 A-1

Direction of dB is same as that of direction of dl x r which can be

determined by Right Hand Screw Rule.
It is emerging at P’ and entering x at P into the plane of the diagram.
Current element is a vector quantity whose magnitude is the vector
product of current and length of small element having the direction of the
flow of current. ( I dl)
Magnetic Field due to a Straight Wire carrying current:
According to Biot – Savart’s law
μ0 I dl sin θ
dB =
4π r2
sin θ = a / r = cos Ф
I
or r = a / cos Ф
Ф2
tan Ф = l / a a x B
Ф
or l = a tan Ф l P
θ Ф1
dl = a sec2 Ф dФ dl r
Substituting for r and dl in dB,

μ0 I cos Ф dФ
dB =
4π a

Magnetic field due to whole conductor is obtained by integrating with limits

- Ф1 to Ф2. ( Ф1 is taken negative since it is anticlockwise)
Ф2 μ I cos Ф dФ
0 μ0 I (sin Ф1 + sin Ф2)
B = ∫dB = ∫ B=
-Ф1 4π a 4πa
If the straight wire is infinitely long, B
then Ф1 = Ф2 = π / 2

μ0 2I μ0 I
B= or B=
4πa 2πa a a
0

Direction of B is same as that of direction of dl x r which can be

determined by Right Hand Screw Rule.
It is perpendicular to the plane of the diagram and entering into
the plane at P.
Magnetic Field Lines:

I I

B B
Magnetic Field due to a Circular Loop carrying current:
1) At a point on the axial line:

dl
C dB cosФ dB
X Y
90° r
Ф
a
Ф dB sinФ
O x Ф
P dB sinФ
I I
Ф

X’ Y’
dB cosФ dB
D
dl
The plane of the coil is considered perpendicular to the plane of the
diagram such that the direction of magnetic field can be visualized on
the plane of the diagram.
At C and D current elements XY and X’Y’ are considered such that
current at C emerges out and at D enters into the plane of the diagram.
 μ0 I dl sin θ μ0 I dl
dB = or dB =
4π r2 4π r2
The angle θ between dl and r is 90° because the radius of the loop is very
small and since sin 90° = 1
The semi-vertical angle made by r to the loop is Ф and the angle between r
and dB is 90° . Therefore, the angle between vertical axis and dB is also Ф.

dB is resolved into components dB cosФ and dB sinФ .

Due to diametrically opposite current elements, cosФ
components are always opposite to each other and hence they
cancel out each other.
SinФ components due to all current elements dl get added up
along the same direction (in the direction away from the loop).
μ0 I dl sinФ μ0 I (2πa) a
B = ∫dB sin Ф = ∫ or B =
4π r 2 4π (a2 + x2) (a2 + x2)½

μ0 I a2
(μ0 , I, a, sinФ are constants, ∫dl = 2πa and r & sinФ are
B=
2(a2 + x2)3/2 replaced with measurable and constant values.)
 Special Cases:
μ0 I
i) At the centre O, x = 0. B= B
2a

ii) If the observation point is far away from

the coil, then a << x. So, a2 can be neglected
in comparison with x2.
μ0 I a2 x 0 x
B=
2 x3

Different views of direction of current and magnetic field due to circular loop of
a coil:
I

B
B B
I I

I
2) B at the centre of the loop:
dl
The plane of the coil is lying on the plane a I
90°
of the diagram and the direction of current
is clockwise such that the direction of x
O
magnetic field is perpendicular and into dB
the plane. I

μ0 I dl sin θ μ0 I dl The angle θ between dl and a is

dB = dB = 90° because the radius of the
4π a2 4π a2 loop is very small and since
μ0 I dl sin 90° = 1
B = ∫dB = ∫
4π a2

μ0 I B
B=
2a

(μ0 , I, a are constants and ∫dl = 2πa )

0 a
Magnetic Field due to a Solenoid:

x x x x x x x

I I

TIP:
When we look at any end of the coil carrying current, if the current is in
anti-clockwise direction then that end of coil behaves like North Pole
and if the current is in clockwise direction then that end of the coil
behaves like South Pole.
 MAGNETIC EFFECT OF CURRENT - II
1. Lorentz Magnetic Force
2. Fleming’s Left Hand Rule
3. Force on a moving charge in uniform Electric and Magnetic fields
4. Force on a current carrying conductor in a uniform Magnetic Field
5. Force between two infinitely long parallel current-carrying
conductors
6. Definition of ampere
7. Representation of fields due to parallel currents
8. Torque experienced by a current-carrying coil in a uniform Magnetic
Field
9. Moving Coil Galvanometer
10. Conversion of Galvanometer into Ammeter and Voltmeter
11. Differences between Ammeter and Voltmeter

Created by C. Mani, Principal, K V No.1, AFS, Jalahalli West, Bangalore

Lorentz Magnetic Force:
A current carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field experiences a force
which means that a moving charge in a magnetic field experiences force.
F
Fm = q (v x B)

or
q+ B
Fm = (q v B sin θ) n θ
I v
where θ is the angle between v and B
Special Cases:

i) If the charge is at rest, i.e. v = 0, then Fm = 0.

So, a stationary charge in a magnetic field does I
B
not experience any force. q- θ
ii) If θ = 0° or 180° i.e. if the charge moves parallel v
or anti-parallel to the direction of the magnetic
field, then Fm = 0.
F
iii) If θ = 90° i.e. if the charge moves perpendicular
to the magnetic field, then the force is
maximum. F =qvB
m (max)
Fleming’s Left Hand Rule:
Force Magnetic
(F) Field
If the central finger, fore finger and thumb
(B)
of left hand are stretched mutually
perpendicular to each other and the
central finger points to current, fore
finger points to magnetic field, then
thumb points in the direction of motion
(force) on the current carrying conductor. Electric
Current
TIP: (I)

Remember the phrase ‘e m f’ to represent electric current, magnetic

field and force in anticlockwise direction of the fingers of left hand.

Force on a moving charge in uniform Electric and Magnetic

Fields:
When a charge q moves with velocity v in region in which both electric
field E and magnetic field B exist, then the Lorentz force is
F = qE + q (v x B) or F = q (E + v x B)
Force on a current-carrying conductor in a uniform
Magnetic Field:
Force experienced by each electron in
the conductor is I
F
f = - e (vd x B)
vd
If n be the number density of electrons, dl θ
A be the area of cross section of the - B
conductor, then no. of electrons in the A l
element dl is n A dl.
I
Force experienced by the electrons in dl is
dF = n A dl [ - e (vd x B)] = - n e A vd (dl X B)
= I (dl x B) where I = neAvd and -ve sign represents that
the direction of dl is opposite to that of vd)
F = ∫ dF = ∫ I (dl x B)

F = I (l x B) or F = I l B sin θ
Forces between two parallel infinitely long current-carrying conductors:
Magnetic Field on RS due to current in PQ is Q S
μ0 I1
B1 = (in magnitude)
2π r
Force acting on RS due to current I2 through it is I1 I2
μ0 I 1 μ0 I 1 I 2 l F12 F21
F21 = I 2 l sin 90˚ or F21 = B2 x B1
2π r 2π r
B1 acts perpendicular and into the plane of the diagram by
Right Hand Thumb Rule. So, the angle between l and B1 is 90˚ . r
l is length of the conductor.
Magnetic Field on PQ due to current in RS is
μ0 I 2 P R
B2 = (in magnitude)
2π r
Force acting on PQ due to current I1 through it is
μ0 I 1 I 2 l (The angle between l and
μ0 I 2 B2 is 90˚ and B2 Is
F12 = I1 l sin 90˚ or F12 =
2π r emerging out)
2π r
μ0 I 1 I 2 l
F12 = F21 = F =
2π r μ0 I 1 I 2
Force per unit length of the conductor is F/l = N/m
2π r
 Q S Q S

I1
I1 I2
F F F F
x x x

r r I2

P R P R

By Fleming’s Left Hand Rule, By Fleming’s Left Hand Rule,

the conductors experience the conductors experience
force towards each other and force away from each other
hence attract each other. and hence repel each other.
Definition of Ampere:
μ0 I 1 I 2
Force per unit length of the F/l = N/m
conductor is 2π r

When I1 = I2 = 1 Ampere and r = 1 m, then F = 2 x 10-7 N/m.

One ampere is that current which, if passed in each of two parallel
conductors of infinite length and placed 1 m apart in vacuum causes each
conductor to experience a force of 2 x 10-7 Newton per metre of length of
the conductor.

Representation of Field due to Parallel Currents:

I1 I2 I1 I2
B B

N
Torque experienced by a Current Loop (Rectangular) in a
uniform Magnetic Field:
FSP
Let θ be the angle between the plane of the loop and S
the direction of the magnetic field. The axis of the b
coil is perpendicular to the magnetic field. θ
FRS I
FSP = I (b x B) P

| FSP | = I b B sin θ x B

FQR = I (b x B) l
| FQR | = I b B sin θ
FPQ R
Forces FSP and FQR are equal in magnitude but opposite I
θ
in direction and they cancel out each other. Moreover
they act along the same line of action (axis) and hence Q
do not produce torque. FQR
FPQ = I (l x B)

| FPQ | = I l B sin 90° = I l B Forces FPQ and FRS being equal in magnitude but
opposite in direction cancel out each other and do not
FRS = I (l x B) produce any translational motion. But they act
| FRs | = I l B sin 90° = I l B along different lines of action and hence
produce torque about the axis of the coil.
Torque experienced by the coil is FRS
‫ = ז‬FPQ x PN (in magnitude)
‫ = ז‬I l B (b cos θ) xS
b
θ B
‫ = ז‬I lb B cos θ
θ Φ
‫ = ז‬I A B cos θ (A = lb) P N

‫ = ז‬N I A B cos θ (where N is the no. of turns) n

FPQ
I
If Φ is the angle between the normal to the coil and
the direction of the magnetic field, then

Φ + θ = 90° i.e. θ = 90° - Φ I R

So, B
Φ
‫ = ז‬I A B cos (90° - Φ) Q
n
‫ = ז‬N I A B sin Φ

NOTE:
One must be very careful in using the formula in terms of cos or sin
since it depends on the angle taken whether with the plane of the coil
or the normal of the coil.
Torque in Vector form:
‫ = ז‬N I A B sin Φ
‫( = ז‬N I A B sin Φ) n (where n is unit vector normal to the plane of the loop)

‫ = ז‬N I (A x B) or ‫ = ז‬N (M x B)

(since M = I A is the Magnetic Dipole Moment)

Note:
1) The coil will rotate in the anticlockwise direction (from the top view,
according to the figure) about the axis of the coil shown by the dotted
line.
2) The torque acts in the upward direction along the dotted line (according
to Maxwell’s Screw Rule).
3) If Φ = 0°, then ‫ = ז‬0.
4) If Φ = 90°, then ‫ ז‬is maximum. i.e. ‫ ז‬max = N I A B
5) Units: B in Tesla, I in Ampere, A in m2 and ‫ ז‬in Nm.
6) The above formulae for torque can be used for any loop irrespective of
its shape.
Moving Coil or Suspended Coil or D’ Arsonval Type Galvanometer:
Torque experienced by
T
the coil is
‫ = ז‬N I A B sin Φ
Restoring torque in the PBW
coil is E M
‫=ז‬kα (where k is FRS
restoring torque per unit
P S
angular twist, α is the
angular twist in the wire)
N x S
At equilibrium,
B
N I A B sin Φ = k α Q R
k FPQ
I= α
N A B sin Φ Hair Spring
LS LS
The factor sin Φ can be TS
eliminated by choosing
Radial Magnetic Field.

T – Torsion Head, TS – Terminal screw, M – Mirror, N,S – Poles pieces of a magnet,

LS – Levelling Screws, PQRS – Rectangular coil, PBW – Phosphor Bronze Wire
Radial Magnetic Field:
S
The (top view PS of) plane of the coil PQRS lies
along the magnetic lines of force in whichever N S
position the coil comes to rest in equilibrium.
P
So, the angle between the plane of the coil and B
the magnetic field is 0°.
or the angle between the normal to the plane of Mirror
the coil and the magnetic field is 90°.
i.e. sin Φ = sin 90° = 1 Lamp 2α
k k
I= α or I = G α where G = Scale
NAB NAB
is called Galvanometer constant

Current Sensitivity of Galvanometer:

α NAB
=
It is the defection of galvanometer per unit current. I k

Voltage Sensitivity of Galvanometer: α NAB

=
It is the defection of galvanometer per unit voltage. V kR
Conversion of Galvanometer to Ammeter:
Galvanometer can be converted into ammeter I Ig G
by shunting it with a very small resistance.
Potential difference across the galvanometer S
and shunt resistance are equal.
Is = I - Ig
Ig G
(I – Ig ) S = Ig G or S =
I – Ig

Conversion of Galvanometer to Voltmeter:

Galvanometer can be converted into voltmeter
Ig G R
by connecting it with a very high resistance.
Potential difference across the given load
resistance is the sum of p.d across
galvanometer and p.d. across the high
V
resistance.
V
V = Ig (G + R) or R = -G
Ig
 Difference between Ammeter and Voltmeter:

S.No. Ammeter Voltmeter

It is a low resistance It is a high resistance instrument.

1
instrument.
2 Resistance is GS / (G + S) Resistance is G + R
Shunt Resistance is Series Resistance is
3 (GIg) / (I – Ig) and is very small. (V / Ig) - G and is very high.

It is always connected in It is always connected in parallel.

4
series.
Resistance of an ideal Resistance of an ideal voltmeter
5
ammeter is zero. is infinity.
Its resistance is less than that Its resistance is greater than that
6 of the galvanometer. of the voltmeter.
It is not possible to decrease It is possible to decrease the
7 the range of the given range of the given voltmeter.
ammeter.
 MAGNETIC EFFECT OF CURRENT - III

1. Cyclotron
2. Ampere’s Circuital Law
3. Magnetic Field due to a Straight Solenoid
4. Magnetic Field due to a Toroidal Solenoid

Created by C. Mani, Principal, K V No.1, AFS, Jalahalli West, Bangalore

 HF Cyclotron:
Oscillator

S B
B

D1 D2 +
W
D1
D2
N

W
D1, D2 – Dees N, S – Magnetic Pole Pieces
W – Window B - Magnetic Field
Working: Imagining D1 is positive and D2 is negative, the + vely charged
particle kept at the centre and in the gap between the dees get accelerated
towards D2. Due to perpendicular magnetic field and according to Fleming’s
Left Hand Rule the charge gets deflected and describes semi-circular path.
When it is about to leave D2, D2 becomes + ve and D1 becomes – ve.
Therefore the particle is again accelerated into D1 where it continues to
describe the semi-circular path. The process continues till the charge
traverses through the whole space in the dees and finally it comes out with
very high speed through the window.
Theory:
The magnetic force experienced by the charge provides centripetal force
required to describe circular path.
mv2 / r = qvB sin 90° (where m – mass of the charged particle,
Bqr q – charge, v – velocity on the path of
v= radius – r, B is magnetic field and 90° is the
m angle b/n v and B)

If t is the time taken by the charge to describe the semi-circular path

inside the dee, then
π m Time taken inside the dee depends only on
π r the magnetic field and m/q ratio and not on
t= or t =
v Bq the speed of the charge or the radius of the
path.
If T is the time period of the high frequency oscillator, then for resonance,
2πm
T=2t or T =
Bq
If f is the frequency of the high frequency oscillator (Cyclotron Frequency),
then
Bq
f=
2πm
Maximum Energy of the Particle:
Kinetic Energy of the charged particle is
2
Bqr 2 B2 q2 r2
K.E. = ½ m v = ½ m ( ) =½
m m
Maximum Kinetic Energy of the charged particle is when r = R (radius of the D’s).
B2 q2 R2
K.E. max =½
m
The expressions for Time period and Cyclotron frequency only when
m remains constant. (Other quantities are already constant.)
But m varies with v according to m0
m=
Einstein’s Relativistic Principle as per [1 – (v2 / c2)]½
If frequency is varied in synchronisation with the variation of mass of the
charged particle (by maintaining B as constant) to have resonance, then the
cyclotron is called synchro – cyclotron.
If magnetic field is varied in synchronisation with the variation of mass of
the charged particle (by maintaining f as constant) to have resonance, then
the cyclotron is called isochronous – cyclotron.
NOTE: Cyclotron can not be used for accelerating neutral particles. Electrons can
not be accelerated because they gain speed very quickly due to their lighter mass
and go out of phase with alternating e.m.f. and get lost within the dees.
Ampere’s Circuital Law:
The line integral ∫ B . dl for a closed curve is equal to μ0 times the net
current I threading through the area bounded by the curve.
B
I
∫ B . dl = μ0 I dl

B r
I O

Proof:
Current is emerging
out and the magnetic
∫ B . dl = ∫ B . dl cos 0° field is anticlockwise.
= ∫ B . dl = B ∫ dl

= B (2π r) = ( μ0 I / 2π r) x 2π r

∫ B . dl = μ0 I
Magnetic Field at the centre of a Straight Solenoid:
S a R
B

P a Q

x x x x x x x

I I
(where I0 is the net current
∫ B . dl = μ0 I0 threading through the solenoid)

∫ B . dl = ∫ B . dl + ∫ B . dl + ∫ B . dl + ∫ B . dl
PQ QR RS SP
= ∫ B . dl cos 0° + ∫ B . dl cos 90° + ∫ 0 . dl cos 0° + ∫ B . dl cos 90°

= B ∫ dl = B.a and μ0 I0 = μ0 n a I B = μ0 n I
(where n is no. of turns per unit length, a is the length of the path and
I is the current passing through the lead of the solenoid)
Magnetic Field due to Toroidal Solenoid (Toroid):

dl
∫ B . dl = μ0 I0 P
B
∫ B . dl = ∫ B . dl cos 0° B≠0

r
= B ∫ dl = B (2π r)
B=0
O Q
And μ0 I0 = μ0 n (2π r) I
B=0
B = μ0 n I

NOTE:
I
The magnetic field exists only in the
tubular area bound by the coil and it does
not exist in the area inside and outside the
toroid.
i.e. B is zero at O and Q and non-zero at P.

End of Magnetic Effect of Current !