Chapter 6

Electromagnetism

1
 Learning Outcome
• State the properties of magnets.
• Explain induced magnetism.
• Draw the magnetic field pattern around the poles of bar
magnet.
• Draw the magnetic field pattern due to current in a straight
wire, a solenoid and 2 current-carrying conductors.
• State the effect on the magnetic field when the magnitude and
direction of the current change.
• Identify the relative direction of force, field and current, using
Fleming’s Left-hand rule.
• Explain how a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field
experiences a turning effect in an electric motor works, using
split-ring commutator.

2
 Properties of Magnets
• Magnetic material: One that can be attracted by magnet. e.g.
cobalt, nickel and steel. Also known as ferromagnetic material.
• Non-magnetic material: One that is not attracted by magnet.
e.g. brass, copper, wood and plastics.
• Permanent magnet: A material that can retain its magnetism for
a long time. e.g. steel, alloys and ferrites.

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 Properties of Magnets
• Poles: The two ends of the bar magnet where the magnetic
effects are the strongest.
• North Pole: The end of a bar magnet that points to the northern
end of the Earth when it is freely suspended.
• South Pole: The end of a bar magnet that points to the southern
end of the Earth when it is freely suspended.

S N
South Pole North Pole

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 Properties of Magnets
• Law of magnetism : Like poles repel unlike poles attract.

Like poles repel S N N S

Unlike poles attract S N

S N

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 Properties of Magnets
• An object is a magnet if it repels the N pole of a suspended bar
magnet.
• On the other hand, if the object is attracted to the magnet, we
cannot conclude that the object is a magnet. The object may
either be
– a magnetic material OR
– a magnet itself with the opposite pole on the approaching
end.

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 Induced Magnetism
• Magnetic induction is the process of inducing magnetism in
magnetic materials.
• When a magnetic material (e.g. safety pin) is brought near a
permanent magnet, it is attracted to the magnet and at the same
time becomes an induced magnet.
• These induced safety pins (induced magnet) is able to attract
other safety pins.
• Magnetic induction can occur without any contact with the
magnet.

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 Induced Magnetism

Iron bar (magnetic material)

Iron bar
before magnetic induction

Iron bar becomes a induced

S N S N magnet without touching the
permanent magnet.
permanent magnet

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 Induced Magnetism
• A bar magnet is made up of many ‘tiny magnets’ called
magnetic domains.
• A bar magnet is made up of many pieces of tiny magnet.

S N


S N  S N  S N

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 Induced Magnetism
• The orbiting motion of electrons in each atom of a magnetic
material makes an atomic magnet.
• A group of atomic magnets pointing in the same direction is
called a magnetic domain.

• In a permanent magnet, magnetic

domains point in the same direction.

• In an unmagnetized bar, the magnetic

domains point in random directions.
• The magnetic effects of the atomic
magnets cancel out causing no
resultant magnetic effect.

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 Methods of Magnetization
Stroking Method
permanent
• Stroke the unmagnetized steel bar magnet
with the same pole of a permanent
magnet in one direction.
(Seen here anti-clockwise)
• The steel bar becomes a permanent
magnet due to magnetic induction.
• The pole produced at the end of the
steel bar where the strokes finish is N S
opposite to the stroking pole used. 10

Steel Bar

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 Methods of Magnetization
Electrical Method: Using a Direct Current

Solenoid

Insulator
(cardboard roll)

Steel Bar
d.c. current in d.c. current out

+ −

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 Methods of Magnetization
• When a d.c. current is passed through the solenoid, magnetic
field is produced in the solenoid.
• The unmagnetized steel bar will become magnetized by this
magnetic field.
• The direction of the magnet (North) can be determined by the
Right-hand Grip rule.

Direction of thumb =
Direction of magnetic Field

Direction of curl
= Direction of d.c. current

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 Methods of Magnetization
• Hence, the end of the magnetized steel bar where the thumb
points is the N pole.

Direction of
magnetic Field

S N

Steel Bar
Direction of current

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 Methods of Demagnetization
• Demagnetization is the process of removing magnetism from
a magnet.
• It causes the atoms of the magnet to vibrate vigorously,
mixing up the directions of the magnetic domains.
Ways of Demagnetizing Magnets
• Heating:
It causes the atoms of the magnet
vibrate vigorously, and hence causes
the magnetic domains to lose their
alignment.
• Hammering:
It alters the alignment of the
magnetic domains.
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 Methods of Demagnetization
• Electrical method using an alternating current
– Reverse of magnetizing using a direct current.
– Magnet inside a solenoid connected to an alternating current
(a.c.) supply.
– The magnetic domains of the magnet lose their alignment,
causing the magnet to lose its magnetism.

S N
solenoid
carrying
alternating Magnet become demagnetized
current (a.c.)

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 Magnetic Field Pattern
• Magnetic field is a region in which a magnetic object, placed
within the influence of the field, experiences a magnetic force.
• Magnetic field lines (or magnetic field pattern) are lines drawn
to indicate the direction of the magnetic field.
• Magnetic field lines are directed outward from the N pole and
towards the S pole.
• A stronger magnetic field is represented by a higher density of
field lines. i.e. the lines are drawn closer together.
• Magnetic field lines do not cross each other.

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 Magnetic Field Pattern
Magnetic field lines for a permanent magnet

N S

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 Magnetic Field Pattern
Magnetic field lines between the N pole and the S pole

N S

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 Magnetic Field Pattern
Magnetic field pattern between two N poles
• Point X is the neutral point: fields from both magnets cancel
out each other.
• If a compass is placed at X, it will point in any arbitrary
direction.

N X N

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 Magnetic Field Pattern
• Magnetic field patterns between bar magnets

N S N S

S N
N S

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 Magnetic Field Pattern
• Compass can be used to draw the magnetic fields around a
magnet.
• The direction of the magnetic field at a point in the field is the
direction in which the compass needle is pointing at that point.
compass

N S

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 Magnetic Field Pattern
Magnetic shielding : Effect of adding iron sheet near a permanent
magnet.
• The thin iron sheet works by
diverting the magnetic fields iron sheet
from its normal path.
• The magnetic field lines coming
out of the North Pole passes N S

through the air.

• The magnetic field lines then
passes into the iron sheet and
then out into the air, before
entering the South Pole. No Magnetic Field outside the iron sheet
• The other side of the iron sheet is
free from magnetic fields. 23
Temporary vs. Permanent Magnets
Temporary magnet Permanent magnet
Easily magnetized Harder to magnetize
Does not retain its magnetism Retains its magnetism
Soft magnetic material Hard magnetic material
Used in electromagnets and Used in permanent
transformer cores magnets
• Examples of
– Temporary magnets (known as soft magnetic material):
 Easy to magnetize and demagnetize. (e.g. iron)
– Permanent magnets (known as hard magnetic material):
 Harder to magnetize, but retains its magnetism. (e.g.
steel)

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Temporary vs. Permanent Magnets
Applications of Permanent Magnets
• Moving coil ammeter
– Coil suspended in the magnetic field of a permanent
magnet.
– When current flows through the coil, it creates a magnetic
force which turns the coil and the pointer attached to it.

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Temporary vs. Permanent Magnets
• Magnetic door strips
– Found in doors of freezers and refrigerators.
– Magnetic strips are fitted to keep the doors
closed.

• Electrical machines
– d.c. motors and a.c. generators.
– Moving-coil loudspeakers.

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 Magnetic Field
Right-hand Grip Rule
• The thumb of the right hand: Points in the direction of the
current flow.
• The fingers: Points in the direction of the magnetic field
around the wire.

wire Direction of current

Direction of
magnetic Field

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 Magnetic Field
Magnetic field pattern around a straight wire
Procedure:
• A wire placed vertically through a small hole in cardboard.
• The resulting magnetic field lines around a straight wire are
drawn using compass.

Magnetic field lines

compass

Direction of d.c. current

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 Magnetic Field
Observations:
• Magnetic field pattern form concentric circles around the wire.
• When the current is reversed, the direction of the magnetic
field is also reversed.
• The magnetic field is stronger at region closer to the wire as
the magnetic field lines near the wire are closer together.
• The magnetic field is stronger when current flowing through
the wire increases.

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 Magnetic Field
Magnetic field around the wire

 ×

 : Current flowing out of paper × : Current flowing into paper

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 Magnetic Field
Magnetic field pattern around a flat coil
Procedure:
• A wire placed vertically through two small holes in cardboard.
• The resulting magnetic field lines around the wires are drawn
using compass.

Direction of d.c. current

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 Magnetic Field
Observations:
• The magnetic field is stronger at center of the two coils.
• The magnetic field around the two coils increases as:
– The current increases.
– The number of turns of the coil increases.

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 Magnetic Field
Magnetic field pattern of a solenoid
• A solenoid is a coil of wire wound in a tightly packed helix.
• The resulting magnetic field lines around the solenoid can be
drawn using compass.
• The direction of the magnetic field (North pole) can be found
using the Right-hand Grip Rule.
– Grip the solenoid with the right hand and with the direction
of finger-grip same as current flow.
– The direction of the thumb will point to the N-pole.
Direction of current
Direction of magnetic Field

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 Magnetic Field
Magnetic field pattern of a solenoid

d.c. current out

d.c. current in

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 Magnetic Field
Observations:
• The magnetic field pattern of a solenoid is similar to that of a
bar magnet.
• It has two poles (North and South) and can be used as an
electromagnet.
• The magnetic field (B) increases as:
– The current increases. I   B 
– The number of turns of the coil increases. N   B 
• Adding a soft iron core inside the solenoid will concentrate
the magnetic field lines, thereby increasing the magnetic field
strength.

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 Magnetic Field
Right-hand Grip Rule

A straight wire A solenoid

Direction of magnetic Field

wire Direction of current

Direction of
magnetic Field

Direction of current

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 Effects of Magnetic Field
• When a current-carrying wire is placed in a magnetic field,
there will be a force perpendicular to both the direction of the
current and the direction of the magnetic field.
• This direction of force will be reversed when the direction of
the current or magnetic field is reversed.
• Fleming’s Left-hand Rule is used to predict the direction of the
force.

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 Effects of Magnetic Field
Fleming’s Left-hand Rule:
• The thumb, forefinger and 2nd finger point at right angles to
one another.
• Forefinger: Point in direction of the magnetic field (B) (North
to South direction)
• 2nd finger: Point in the direction of the current (I).
• Thumb: Give the direction of the force (F).

F B

I
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 Effects of Magnetic Field
Example of force acting on current-carrying wire in magnetic
field.

F
B

I
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 Effects of Magnetic Field
How to reverse the direction of the force? (from  to )
(1) Reverse current direction (2) Reverse magnetic field
- Current flow out of the paper - South on top
- North at bottom

S
N
F
F
B B

N
S
I
I

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 Effects of Magnetic Field
Why does a current-carrying conductor experience a force when
placed in a magnetic field?
Magnetic field around the wire Magnetic field of a magnet

× B

× : Current flowing into paper

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 Effects of Magnetic Field
If we superimpose the two fields together, we have:

N
These two fields add
constructively since all the
These two fields magnetic field lines are in
cancel each other due the same direction.
to opposing magnetic
field lines.
×

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 Effects of Magnetic Field
Therefore, we have an effective magnetic field as shown.
A force acts on the wire from the stronger field to the weaker
field that causes the wire to move left.

N
Weaker magnetic field
Stronger magnetic field
F
×

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 Effects of Magnetic Field
Magnetic field when two current-carrying conductor in opposite
direction are placed close together.
 Repulsive force.

 × F F
 ×

 : Current flowing out of paper

× : Current flowing into paper
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 Effects of Magnetic Field
Magnetic field when two current-carrying conductor in same
direction are placed close together.
 Attractive force.

   
F F

 : Current flowing out of paper

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 Effects of Magnetic Field
Example:
What is the magnetic force acting on the section of the current-
carrying conductor shown below?

N S

Solution:
The magnetic force is zero because the direction of current flow
is NOT perpendicular to that of magnetic field (B).

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 Effects of Magnetic Field
Magnetic force acting on two current-carrying wires in opposite
direction. F

B
I

S
N
I
B

Wire A F
Wire B

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 Effects of Magnetic Field
Both Wire A and Wire B generate magnetic fields as shown and
superimposed onto the magnetic field of the magnet.
B

Wire A

N  × S

Wire B

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 Effects of Magnetic Field
Both Wire A and Wire B generate magnetic fields as shown and
superimposed onto the magnetic field of the magnet.
F
B

Wire A

N
 × Wire B
S

49
 Effects of Magnetic Field
Wire A experience a magnetic force in the UP direction.
Wire B experience a magnetic force in the DOWN direction.
F B

Wire B

N  × S
Wire A

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 Electric Motor
• Electric (or D.C.) motor generates torque from a d.c. current.
• It consists of
– Stator: Permanent magnet
– Rotor: armature, consists of rectangular coil of wire
– Split-ring commutator: Circular metal device that connects
the armature to the circuit.
– Brushes: Carbon that act as a contact between the
commutator and the cables connected to the load.

51
 Electric Motor

N S

Brush
Rotor permanent magnet
(Stator)

Commutator

52
 Electric Motor
Operation
• When d.c. current flows through the wire (armature), it
experiences a magnetic force described by the Fleming’s Left-
hand Rule.
• This magnetic force produces a torque (‘rotating force’) that
turns the armature.
• The split-ring commutator ensures that the armature will rotate
in a circular manner.

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 Electric Motor
B

I
I
B
N F S

I B

I I

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 Electric Motor
• When the armature is at position = 0
 The magnetic force produces a torque that in turn causes
the armature to rotate in anti-clockwise direction.

N × B  B
S

anti-clockwise

 : Current flowing out of paper

× : Current flowing into paper

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 Electric Motor
• When the armature is at position = 45.
 The magnetic force acting continue to act on armature.
 However, the torque is smaller compares to position = 0.
F
B
S
N

anti-clockwise

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 Electric Motor
• When the armature is at position just before 90
 Most of magnetic force acting on the armature is outwards.
 At this position, the torque is the minimum.

F
B

N S

anti-clockwise

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 Electric Motor
• When the armature is at position = 90
 The current is cut off momentarily when the commutator
changes contact from one brush to the other.
 However, the armature continues to rotate due to inertia.

N S

Note: NO current flow

anti-clockwise
in the coil

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 Electric Motor
• When the armature is at position just after 90
 The split ring commutator reverses the current in the coil.
 The force on the left side of the coil continues to be
downwards, resulting in the coil to continue its anti-
clockwise rotation.
 Most of magnetic force acting on the armature is inwards.
B

N F S
F

anti-clockwise

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 Electric Motor
• When the armature is at position = 180.
 Note that due to the split-ring commutator, the force acting
on the armature causes the coil to continue its anti-
clockwise rotation, as if in the 0 position.
F

N × B  B
S

anti-clockwise
• When the armature is at position = 270
 same as position = 90
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 Electric Motor
• Factors that affects the speed of the motor:
 Current (I). I   F 
 Number of turns of the coil (N). N   F 
 Magnetic field strength (B). B   F 
 Soft iron core: Adding a soft iron core inside the armature
will concentrate the magnetic field lines, thereby increasing
the magnetic field strength.

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