LESSON 1- Analysing the magnetic

effect of a current-
carrying conductor.

Ferromagnetic materials
If a wire carrying a current is gripped with the right hand and with
the thumb pointing along the wire in the direction of the current,
Ferromagnetic materials are the materials attracted to the
the fingers point in the direction of the magnetic field around the
magnet. The examples of the ferromagnetic materials such as
wire.
iron, nickel and cobalt.
The map of the magnetic field due to an electric current
Electromagnet
flowing in a vertical wire through centre of a horizontal
card.
An electromagnet is a device in which magnetism is produced by
an electric current.
An electromagnet acts as a temporary magnet.

Magnetic field

A magnetic field is a region in which a magnetic material

experiences a force as the result of the present of a magnet or
a electromagnet.
The direction of a magnetic field is from north pole to south pole. The direction of the electric field and the plotting
compass
Magnetic Effects of a current –carrying Conductor .

The pattern of magnetic field produced by a current – carrying

conductor depends on the shape of the conductor used.

(a) Current in a straight wire

(b) Current in a single coil

The magnetic field lines form a pattern of concentric circles round

the wire carrying the current.
The direction of the field around a wire can use two rules:
Maxwell’s screw rule .
If a right -handed screw is turned so that it moves forwards in
the same direction as a electric current, its direction of rotation
gives the direction of the magnetic field due to the current.

The pattern of the magnetic field produced at the centre of the

coil is in the form of straight line.
The line in the coils are more closed spaced tab the outside.
The field lines around the two wires are in opposite directions.
The Maxwell’s screw rule or The right -hand grip rule can also
be used to both sides of the coil to determine the direction of the
magnetic field.

(c) Current in a solenoid

The right -hand grip rule.

1
 A soft iron core is able to concentrate magnetic field lines
through it.

(4) The shape of the iron core

U-shaped iron core has more stronger magnetic field than

the straight iron core because U-shaped iron core has two
opposite pole s adjacent to each other and as a result the
magnetic field lines are concentrated in space between the
poles.

Comparison soft iron core and steel core.

Soft iron core Steel core

The pattern in the centre of the solenoid is in the form of straight Easily magnetised and Hardly magnetised and
lines. demagnetised demagnetised
However , the field lines are uneven and more widely spaced Suitable to make a temporary Suitable to make a permanent
outside the solenoid. magnet (electromagnet) magnet
We can use two methods to determine the direction of the
magnetic field: The experiment to investigate the relationship between
the strength of an electromagnet and the current.
The right -hand grip rule. Inference : The strength of electromagnet depends on the
current.
Hypothesis :
The strength of an electromagnet increases as the current
increases.
If a solenoid carrying a current is gripped with the right hand and Aim of the experiment :
with the thumb pointing along the solenoid so that the fingers To investigate the relationship between the strength of an
curling round the solenoid in the direction of the current and the electromagnet and the current.
thumb then points towards the north pole. Variables in the experiment:
Manipulated variable: the current
By determine the poles of the solenoid. Responding variable: the strength of an
Looking at the direction of the current from each end of the of the electromagnet
solenoid. Fixed variable: number of turns of solenoid, type of core.
If the direction of the current is clockwise, the viewed end of the List of apparatus and materials :
solenoid is the south pole. Ammeter, connection wires, rheostat, retort stand, ,switch, d.c.
If the direction of the current is anticlockwise , the viewed end is supply , soft iron core, solenoid, small iron nails and plastic
the north pole. container.
Arrangement of the apparatus:

Factors Affecting the strength of the magnetic field of an

electromagnet

(1) Current

When the current is increased , the strength of The procedure of the experiment which include the
the magnetic field increases. method of controlling the manipulated variable and the
method of measuring the responding variable.
(2) Number of turns of wire The switch is closed.
The reading of the ammeter is recorded = I
When the number of turns of wire is increased , the The end of the solenoid is dipped into the plastic container full of
strength of the magnetic field increases. small iron nails.
The plastic container is removed and the number of nails
(3) Type of the material of the core attached to the electromagnet is counted = N
The experiment is repeated 5 times with different value of
Different material of the core have the different strength of current by adjusting the rheostat.
the magnetic field. Tabulate the data:
Soft iron core has the strongest magnetic field. I

2
N
Analysis the data:
Plot the graph N against l

Uses of electromagnets

The electric bell

The experiment to investigate the relationship between

the strength of an electromagnet and the number of
turns of solenoid

Hypothesis :
The strength of an electromagnet increases as the number of
turns of solenoid increases.

Aim of the experiment :

To investigate the relationship between the strength of an
electromagnet and the number of turns of solenoid.
Variables in the experiment:
Manipulated variable: the number of turns of solenoid
Responding variable: the strength of an
electromagnet
Fixed variable: the current, type of core.
List of apparatus and materials :
Ammeter, connection wires, rheostat, retort stand, ,switch, d.c.
supply , soft iron core, solenoid, small iron nails and plastic
container.
Arrangement of the apparatus:
When the switch is pressed, the current flows through the
solenoid and the iron core is magnetized.
The soft iron armature attracted to the electromagnet.
The hammer strikes the gong ,thus ringing the bell.
The spring contact moves away from the contact adjusting screw
and breaks the circuit.
The iron core loses its electromagnetism .
The spring contact touches the screw again, remakes the circuit
and the switches on the current.
The cycle repeats rapidly as long as the switch is pressed.

The circuit breaker

The procedure of the experiment which include the

method of controlling the manipulated variable and the A circuit breaker which does the same job as fuse wire designed
method of measuring the responding variable. to disconnect the power supply when there is too large current
The number of turns of solenoid is recorded = M flowing through a circuit.
The switch is closed. When the current get too high, the magnetic fields force become
The end of the solenoid is dipped into the plastic container full of strong to pull the soft iron armature and release the catch. The
small iron nails. contacts are separated and the current stopped.
The plastic container is removed and the number of nails The spring P keeps the contacts apart.
attached to the electromagnet is counted = N When the reset button is pressed , spring Q pulls the soft iron
The experiment is repeated 5 times with different value of the armature back to its original position.
number of turns of solenoid
The electromagnetic relay
Tabulate the data:
n
N
Analysis the data:
Plot the graph N against l

3
 TUTORIAL 1
1 The figure shows a straight wire passes through the centre
of a horizontal cardboard. A compass is placed on the
cardboard.

An electromagnetic relay is a switching device is used to control

(switch on or off) another powerful circuit (high –voltage or What will
dangerous supply). happen to the compass point when the switch is closed?
When the switch is on, the small current flows through the
solenoid and the soft iron core is magnetised. A deflects to the west B deflects to the east
The soft iron armature attracted to the electromagnet. C deflects to the south D at stationary
This action makes the other end of the soft iron armature to push
and closes the contact. 2 The figure shows two plotting compasses placed on a
When the switch is off , no current flows and the iron core loses horizontal cardboard. A straight wire passes through the
its magnetism. The soft iron armature returns to its original centre of the cardboard.
position and the powerful circuit is open.
The telephone ear-pieces

What will happen to the compass point when the switch,

S is closed?

When a person speaks through a telephone mouthpiece , sound
energy is changed to a varying electric current.
When the varying electric current flows the soft iron core is
magnetized with varying strength.
The electromagnet pull on the diaphragm.
The diaphragm vibrates with the same frequency as the varying
current.
The vibration of the diaphragm causes a series of compressions
and rarefactions of the air.
The sound waves is produced with the same frequency as the
original sound
The other uses of electromagnet
A The needle of compass M and N deflect at an angle
90o in the same direction.
B The needle of compass M and N deflect at an angle
90o in the opposite direction.
C The needle of compass M deflects at an 180o
whereas the needle of compass N does not deflect.
D The needle of compass N deflects at an 180o
whereas the needle of compass M does not deflect.
3 Which of the following shows the correct pattern of the
magnetic field produced by a current flows in downward
direction into page?

1. Electromagnetic lifting machine

2. To remove steel splinters which have accidentally
entered a patient’s eye.
3. Electronic card
4. Parking machine
5. Magnetic Levitated Train (MAGLEV train)
6. Tape recorder

4
4 The figure shows a rectangular coil of wire WXYZ
connected with a dry cell and a switch S is placed on the A a straight wire
surface a horizontal table. B a solenoid
Two compasses P and Q are laid on the wire WX and XY C a coil
respectively.
7 The figure shows a small compass is placed beside a bar
magnet.

What will happen to the pointer of compass P and Q

when the switch ,S is closed? In which direction will the compass needle point?

Compass P Compass Q

A deflects to the east deflects to the east

B deflects to the west deflects to the west
C deflects to the west does not deflect
D does not deflect deflects to the east

8 The figure shows a solenoid cuts a horizontal cardboard

5 The figure shows a rectangular coil of wire connected with a KLMN.
dry cell and a switch S is placed on the surface a
horizontal table.
Compass W is placed below the wire.

Which of the following figure shows the correct deflection

of the pointer of the compass W when the switch S is
closed?

When the current is passed through the solenoid , which

diagram shows the correct pattern of the magnetic field is
produced?

6 The diagram shows the pattern revealed by the iron fillings

when an experiment to study the pattern of the magnetic
field due to a current in a conductor is carried out.

9 The figure shows an electromagnet PQR.

What is the shape of the conductor used?

5
 A unchanged
B repel each other
C attract each other

13 Which of the following is used to determine the direction of

What is the type of pole at P , Q and R? the electromagnetic field produced by a current flows in a
P Q R shows a straight conductor?
A North South South
B South North North A Lenz ‘s law B Faraday ‘s law
C South North South C Right -hand grip rule D Fleming ’s left hand rule
D North South North
14 Which of the following pairs of material and number turns
of wire is suitable to make a strong electromagnet?
10 The figure shows a U-shaped iron core is wound with
insulated copper wire.
Core Number turns of wire
A copper 500
B copper 100
C soft iron 500
D soft iron 100

15 Which two materials are most likely to be used for coil and
core of an electromagnet?
What is the type of pole of electromagnet at X , Y and Z
when the switch is closed? Coil Core
X Y Z A Copper Copper
B Copper Iron
A North North South
C Copper Steel
B North South North
D Iron Iron
C South North North
D South North South

11 The figure shows the arrangement of two iron rods P and

Q.

16 The figure shows the arrangement of apparatus to find the

most suitable metal rod to use as the core in an
electromagnet.
What will happen to the rods when the switch S is closed?

A Rod P and rod Q at rest

B Rod P and rod Q repel each other
C Rod P and rod Q attract each other

12 The figure show two iron nails hung in a solenoid.

The following table shows the number of paper clips held

when the current are switched on and switched off.

Metal Number of metal clips held

rod when the current is
Switched on switched off
A 40 35
What will happen to the rods when a current flows through B 38 5
the solenoid?
C 25 4

6
 D 1 0
Which metal rod A ,B, C or D will be the best for
making a core in an electromagnet?
17 The figure shows an arrangement of apparatus to build a
permanent magnet.

Diagram 21
Table 21 shows four cranes with their respective
properties.

Which of the following materials is most suitable to be Type of Current Type of Number of turn
used as the core? crane /A core
J 1.0 Soft-Iron 8
A Soft iron B Steel
K 2.0 Steel 10
C Copper D Aluminium
L 3.0 Soft-Iron 12
18 The figure shows three different shapes of electromagnet. M 4.0 Steel 14
P,Q and R.

The strength of the electromagnet in ascending order are

A P, Q ,R B P,R , Q
C R, Q, P D Q, R, P Table 21
(a) What is meant by electromagnet?

Magnet produce by current

(b) Base on Table 21, state the suitable properties of the

crane to lift iron scrap more effectively. Give reason for the
suitability of the properties
19 The diagram shows an electromagnet. (i) Current
Big current
Reason
Strong electromagnet
(ii) Type of core
Which factor does not influence the strength of
electromagnet? Soft-Iron
Reason
A Material use for the wire
B Material use for insulator of the wire Easily magnetised and demagnetised
C Number of turns of wire
D Current flowing in the wire (c) Based on your answers in (b), determine the most suitable
crane in Table 21 to lift iron scrap in a factory.
20 Which of the following is not used L
the principle of electromagnet ? ………………………………………………………
(d) Base on your choice in (c), state the change in the quantity
A Fuse B Electric bell of the iron scrap that can be lifted when the cylindrical soft
C Circuit breaker D Telephone ear- iron core is replaced with a U-shaped iron core. Explain
pieces your answer
21 Diagram 21 shows an electromagnet for a crane. It is used
to lift iron scrap in a factory. increase

………………………………………………………

7
(e) A crane P is used to lift 250 kg of iron scrap to a height of m
4m in 5 s. Determine the output power of the crane P.

P=E
t
= mgh
t
= (250)(10)(4)
5
= 2000 W
Table 22
22 Diagram 22.1 shows a simple electromagnet used for
lifting and releasing a small metal ball. (c) Based on Table 22, state the suitable
properties to be chosen to built an
electromagnet and state the reason for your
choice.
(i) Material used for the core
Soft iron
…………………………………….
Reason
Easily magnetised and demagnetised
……………………………………
(ii) Shape of the core
u-shaped
……………………………………
Diagram 22.1 Reason
(a) In Diagram 22.1, mark the direction of the Concentrate the magnetic lines
current flow in the solenoid when the switch is …………………………………….
on. (d) The electromagnet in (c) is used in an electric bell as
(b) (i) Name the magnetic pole at the shown in Diagram 22.2.
end of the core P when the switch is
on?

(ii) State the rule used to determine

the pole of the magnetic field.
Right hand grip rule

(iii) Based on the solenoid in Diagram

22.1, draw the magnetic field lines that
is form around the solenoid when the
Diagram 22.2
switch is on. In your diagram show
the direction of the magnetic field lines.
Draw a connection wire in Diagram 22.2 above to
make the bell produced a sound not continuously.
Material Shape of the core
used for
the core

Steel 23 Diagram 23(a) and Diagram 23(b) show wire coils

connected to the ammeters, switches and d.c. power
supply.

Soft iron

Aluminiu

8
 Diagram 23(a) Diagram 23(b)
When the switch is on and iron filings of the same amount
Diagram 24.1
is spread on each of the cardboard surface, the pattern of
the iron filings is formed as shown in the diagrams.
(a) (i) State the energy transformation
(a) What is meant by magnetic field?
that takes place when an
A region which has a magnetic material
electric bell rings.
experiences a force
Electrical energy →Kinetic energy →Sound energy
(ii) Based on the Diagram 24.1,
(b) Using Diagram(a) and Diagram(b) , compare the
explain the working principle of how an
number of turn of the coils, the pattern of the iron
electric bell rings when the switch is on.
filings and the angle of deflection of the ammeter
indicator.
- When the current flows ,electromagnet
-is produced
Number of turns of the coils in (b) >(a)
- Iron core is attracted by the
Number of circles in (b) >(a)
electromagnet
Angle of deflection of the ammeter indicator (b)>(a)
- - Hammer hits the gong
(c) State the relationship between the strength of the
- The sound is produced
magnetic field and
(i) the pattern of iron filings,
The stronger the magnetic field , the bigger
the number of circles
(ii) the number of turn of the coils.
The bigger the number of turn of the coils
the
stronger the magnetic field

(b) An electric bell in Diagram 24.1 is able

24 Diagram 24.1 shows an electric bell.
to produce a louder sound .
.
Table 24 shows the characteristics of

9
 electric bells P,Q,R,S and T which could
produce a loud sound.

The
Distance
number of
Size of between the Size of
Electric turns of the
the hammer the
Bell coil around
hammer and the gong
soft iron
gong/cm
core
Diagram 25(a) Diagram 25(b)
Based on the information and the observation above:
(a) State one suitable inference.
Big Big
P 2.0 50 (b) State one suitable hypothesis.
(c) With the use of apparatus such connection
Big Big
Q 5.0 100 wires, ,switch, soft iron core, solenoid and other
apparatus, describe an experiment framework to
Big investigate the hypothesis stated in (b).
R 5.0 100 Small
In your description, state clearly the following:
Small (i) Aim of the experiment
S 5.0 50 Small
(ii) Variables in the experiment
Small (iii) List of apparatus and materials
T 2.0 100 Small
(iv) Arrangement of the apparatus
(v) The procedure of the experiment which
Characteristic Reason include the method of controlling the
Big hammer Produce large force manipulated variable and the method of
Large distance Produce large energy measuring the responding variable
Large number of turns Strong electromagnet (vi) The way you would tabulate the data
Big gong More air to transfer sound (vii) The way you would analysis the data
I choose Q
Because big hammer, large distance, large number of turns and
big gong.
You are asked to study the electric bells P,Q,R,S and T.

Explain the suitability of each characteristic of the electric

bell in Table 24 and
hence, determine which electric bell is able to produce the
loudest sound.
Justify your choice.

25 Diagram 25(a) shows an electromagnetic lifting machine

used to lift scrap metal. Diagram 25(b)shows the
observation of the machine when the current flows through
the machine is increased.

10