Chapter 8: Electromagnetism

Chapter Outline :

8.1 Analysing the magnetic effect of a current-carrying conductor

8.2 Understanding the force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field
8.3 Analysing electromagnetic induction
8.4 Analysing transformers
8.5 Understanding the generation and transmission of electricity

Concept Map :
Electromagnetism

Current -carrying
cunductor

Magnetic force Magnetic field Induced e .m.f.

Faraday’s law of
Fleming’s left -hand rule Magnetic field pattern
electromagnetic induction

Uses of magnetic force Magnetic field strength Lenz’s law

Uses of electromagnet Fleming’s right -hand rule

Applications of
Transformers
electromagnetic induction

Step -up & step -down Energy losses in

Generator
transformers transformer

AC Generator &
Power transmission
DC Generator
 7 A magnetic field is formed when a large
8.1 Analysing the magnetic effect of a current flows through a straight wire.
current-carrying conductor

Electromagnets

1 A magnetic fields is a region around a

magnet.

2 It can be produced by permanent

magnets and current-carrying conductors.
3 An electromagnet can be produced by
conducting a current through a conductor.
4 The magnetism of a current-carrying
conductor occurs only when the current
flows through the conductor.
5 The electromagnetism is very powerful
and more practical to use in many appliance.
(a) (b)
Figure 8.3 [Pelagi Illustrated Dictionary]
8 The cross-section of the field pattern is
as shown in Figure 8.3.
9 The current directions are represented by
a cross or a dot (see Figure 8.3).
10 The properties of the magnetic field is as
follows:
(i) The field lines are circles around the wire.
(ii) The direction of the field lines can be
reversed by reversing the current direction.
(iii) The field strength is stronger at the area
which is closer to the wire.

(a) Current is switched off (b) Current is switched on

Field around a coil
Figure 8.1 [Pelagi e-masteri]

6 The magnetism can be “turned off” by

switching off the current as shown in Figure
8.1 (b).

Magnetic field pattern

Field around a straight wire

Figure 8.6[Pelagi e-masteri]

11 The magnetic field pattern produced by a
current flowing through a circular flat coil
is as shown in Figure 8.6.

12 The right-hand grip rule can be applied

Figure 8.2 [Pelagi e-masteri] to determine the direction of the magnetic
field around a circular flat coil.
Field around a solenoid
15 The magnetic field around a solenoid is
similar to that of a bar magnet.

16 The position of the poles depends on the

direction of the current.

Magnetic field strength

17 The magnetic field strength can be

increase by:
(i) increasing the current that flows through the
wire.
(ii) increasing the number of turns in the coil for
Figure 8.7 [Pelagi e-masteri]
the same length of solenoid.
(iii) inserting a soft-iron core into the coil.
13 A solenoid is a coil made up of a
number of turns of wire as shown in Figure
8.7.
Electric bell

Figure 8.8 [Pelagi e-masteri]

14 Figure 8.8 shows that the direction of the Figure 8.11 [Pelangi : Illustrated Dictonary]
magnetic field around a solenoid can be 18 The electromagnet is switched on and
indicated using the right-hand grip rule. off rapidly by a contact breaker as shown
in Figure 8.11.

19 The electromagnet is created when the

current flows in the coil.

20 The hammer is attracted by the

Figure 8.9 [Eastview : New Topical Mastery - electromagnet, causing it to hit the gong.
Vision Science]
21 This will break the contact and switch
off the current.

22 The hammer is then returned to its

original position, causing the current to flow
again.

23 The process will be repeated as long as

Figure 8.10 [Pelagi e-masteri] the switch is pressed on.

Electromagnet relay
Figure 8.12 [Pelangi : Illustrated Dictonary]
24 A magnetic relay is a device used to
switch on and off a circuit with large current
safely.
25 Figure 8.12 shows that there are two
major circuits inside a relay.
26 The arm will rotate and closes the
switch in circuit B when a small current is
applied to circuit A.
27 In this way, the circuit B will be
switched on.
Earpiece
Figure 8.13 [Pelangi : Illustrated Dictonary]
28 An earpiece is a device used to
transform electrical signals into sounds.
29 The strength of the magnetic field will
change as the varying currents flows through
the electromagnet.
30 The diaphragm in a microphone will
vibrate to create sounds.
Maglev train
31 Maglev is the abbreviation for magnetic
levitation.
32 The maglev train is a train with
electromagnets attached underneath that
provides magnetic fields.
33 The train can levitate just above the
track as the magnets repel each other.
34 The reduced friction enables the train to
move fast.
8.2 Understanding the force on a current-
carrying conductor in a magnetic field
Magnetic force
1 A magnetic field is formed when a
current flows through a wire.
2 When the current-carrying wire is
brought near to a permanent magnet, the two
fields will interact to produce a force.
Force produced by the combined magnetic field
“Catapult force”
(a) (b)
(c)
Figure 8.17 • The direction of the magnetic
3 Figure 8.17 (a) shows the magnetic field field is from N to S
around a current carrying wire.

4 Figure 8.17 (b) shows the magnetic field

between two slab-shaped magnets

5 Figure 8.17 (c) shows the combined field

of Figure 8.17 (a) and Figure 8.17 (b).

6 The combined field pattern appears as if

the wire is being “catapulted” from the
strong field region towards the weak field
region.
7 Such a magnetic field is called a
catapult field.
8 The direction of the catapult force can be
identified by Fleming’s left-hand rule.
Highlight
Fleming’s left-hand rule
Figure 8.20
• Figure 8.20 shows that the
direction of the resultant force acting
the short copper wire can be
determined using Fleming’s left-hand
rule.
Turning force on a current-carrying coil in a
magnetic field
Turning effect on a coil
Turning axis

Figure 8.18 Figure 8.21 [e-masteri page 332 Rajah 7.75]

The direction of the catapult force is
perpendicular to both the current and the 9 There is a turning effect on a coil which
magnetic field of the permanent magnet. lies between the poles of a magnet as shown
Example : in Figure 8.21.

Figure 8.19
Figure 8.19 Figure 8.22 [e-masteri page 331 Rajah 7.72]
• shows the setup of an apparatus to
investigate the force on a current- 10 Figure 8.22 shows the end view of the
carrying conductor in a magnetic coil in a magnetic field.
field.
• Current flows from A to B
 11 The current flows in opposite directions deflection on a scale as shown in Figure
along the two sides of the coil. 8.24.

12 As a result, one side of the coil is pushed 15 A large current will produce a full scale
up and the other side is pushed down, deflection on the scale.
causing the coil to turn clockwise as shown
in Figure 8.22. 16 The higher the current flows through, the
further the coil turns.
Highlight
The turning effect on the coil can be Direct current motor
increased by: 17 A direct current (DC) motor which
i) increasing the current. consists of a coil of many turns uses the
(ii) increasing the strength of the magnetic turning effect.
magnetic field.
(iii) increasing the number of turns in
the coil.
(iv) increasing the area of the coil

Ammeter

Figure 8.25 [e-masteri page 330 Rajah 7.71]

18 Figure 8.25 shows the simplified model

of a DC motor.

19 The current flows into the coil through a

pair of carbon brushes. The carbon brushes
push against a commutator.

20 The commutator changes contact from

one brush to another when the coil is turning
Figure 8.23 [e-masteri page 341 Rajah 7.95a] to keep the coil rotating continuously.

13 Figure 8.23 shows a moving-coil Highlight

ammeter. The speed of rotation of an electric motor
can be increased by:
(i) increasing the current.
(ii) increasing the strength of the
magnetic field.
(iii) increasing the number of turns in
the coil.

Quickcheck
Question :
Figure 8.24 [e-masteri page 341 Rajah 7.96] Which of the following best represents
the correct poles of both sides of the
14 The moving-coil ammeter uses the solenoid?
magnetic turning effect on a coil to show
 directly proportional to the rate at which
the conductor cuts through the magnetic
field lines.

6 The direction of induced current

depends on the direction of the motion.

7 The direction can be identified using

Lenz’s law or Fleming’s right-hand rule.
Answer : D Highlight
Lenz’s law
An induced current always flows to
8.3 Analysing electromagnetic induction oppose the movement which started it.
How induced e.m.f. is produced?
Example :

Figure 8.27 [e-masteri page 334 Rajah

7.80]
• The south pole of the magnet is
moving into the coil.
Figure 8.26 [e-masteri page 333 Rajah 7.78]
• The induced current flows in such
1 Figure 8.26 shows that a voltage is
direction to as to produce a south pole
induced when a conductor cuts a magnetic
to oppose the approaching of the
field.
magnet
2 The movement of a conductor in a
magnetic field produces an electromotive
force (e.m.f.) in the conductor.

3 An induced current is produced when

the conductor is connected to a closed
circuit. Figure 8.28 [e-masteri page 334 Rajah
7.80]
4 This effect is called electromagnetic • The south pole of the magnet is
induction. moving away from the coil.
• The induced current flows in such
5 The magnitude of the e.m.f. can be direction so as to produce a north pole
increased by: to oppose the leaving of the magnet.
(i) moving the wire faster.
(ii) using a stronger magnet.
(iii) increasing the length of wire in the magnetic Highlight
field. Fleming’s right-hand rule

Highlight
Faraday’s law of electromagnetic
induction
The voltage induced in a conductor is
 11 The output current varies during the
rotation of the coil as shown in Figure 8.30
(b).

12 The current is zero when the coil is

vertical.

13 The current is greatest when the coil is

horizontal.
Figure 8.29 [e-masteri page 334 Rajah
14 The magnitude of the induce voltage
7.81]
can be increased by:
The direction of the induced current
(i) rotating the coil faster.
which flows in a wire cutting through a
(ii) using a stronger magnet.
magnetic field can be identified as shown
(iii) increasing the number of turns in the coil.
in Figure 8.29.
(iv) increasing the area of the coil.
(v) winding the coil on a soft-iron core.
Application of electromagnetic induction
AC and DC generators
15 The DC generator is produced when the
slip rings are replaced by a commutator.
8 A generator is a device that produces
electrical energy by electromagnetic
induction.

9 Generators are the inverse of motors.

(a)

(a)

(b)
Figure 8.31 [e-masteri page 337 Rajah 7.84]
16 Figure 8.31 (a) shows a simple DC
generator.

17 The output current varies but still

flowing in one direction as shown in Figure
(b)
8.31 (b).
Figure 8.30 [e-masteri page 337 Rajah 7.83]
10 Figure 8.30 (a) shows a simple AC 18 The commutator reverses the contacts of
generator. the coil when the coil passes through the
vertical position.
 3 The electrical energy is transferred from
Highlight the primary coil to the secondary coil even
AC and DC they are not connected directly to each other.

4 When an AC input flows through the

primary coil, the magnetic field changes
continuously.

5 This induces an AC output in the

secondary coil.
Figure 8.32 [e-masteri page 339 Table]
Step-up and step-down transformers
• Alternating current (AC)
A current which flows in two opposite 6 The voltages in the primary and the
direction alternately. secondary coils depend on the number of
turns in the coils.

7 The relationship between the voltages

and the number of turns in the coils is given
as:
Figure 8.33 [e-masteri page 339 Table] Primary vo ltage Number of turns in the primary coil
=
Secondary voltage Number of turns in the secondary coil
• Direct current (DC) VP N
= P
A current which flows in one direction VS NS
only.

8.4 Analysing transformers

Operating principle of a transformer

Figure 8.38 [Form 5 text book Page 100]

8 Figure 8.38 shows the simple structure

and the circuit symbol of a step-up
transformer.

9 A step-up transformer has more turns in

Figure 8.37 [e-masteri page 345 Figure 7.104]
the secondary coil than in the primary coil
(NP < NS).
1 Figure 8.37 shows the simple structure
and the symbol of a transformer.
10 The secondary voltage is greater than
the primary voltage (VP < VS).
2 A transformer consist of two coils of
wires which are known as:
(i) the primary coil
(ii) the secondary coil
 Output power
Efiiciency = ×100 %
Input power

Figure 8.39 [Form 5 text book Page 100]

Quickcheck
11 Figure 8.39 shows the simple structure Question :
and the circuit symbol of a step-down
transformer.

12 A step-down transformer has more turns

in the primary coil than in the secondary coil
(NP > NS).

13 The primary voltage is greater than the Figure 8.40

secondary voltage (VP > VS). Figure 8.40 shows an ideal transformer
used to operate a 12V bulb from the ac
Primary and secondary current mains. What is the turns ratio of the
transformer?
14 In an ideal transformer, all the power A 10:1
supplied to the primary coil will be B 20:1
transferred to the secondary coil. C 30:1
D 40:1
15 This is given as:
Power input = Power output Answer : B
VPIP = VSIS
VP I
= S
VS IP 8.5 Understanding the generation and
VP N transmission of electricity
From, = P
VS NS
Generation of electricity
IS N
We get, = P
IP NS 1 Electricity is generated by
electromagnetic induction.
Energy losses in transformer
2 The electromagnetic induction is carried
16 Some of the energy supplied to the out by a generator which has a huge
primary coil may be lost as heat in all dynamo that is turned by a turbine.
practical transformers.
3 Types of energy sources that can be used
17 The energy losses are due to: to produce the electricity are:
(i) resistance of coils.
(ii) magnetization and demagnetization of the (a) Renewable
core. (i) Hydro power
(iii) eddy currents in the core. (ii) Wind
(iii) Waves
18 The efficiency of a transformer can be (iv) Solar
determined using: (v) Biomass
(vi) Geothermal

(b) Non-renewable
(i) Fossil fuel (coal, petroleum, natural gas)
(ii) Radioactive substances

4 Each of these source has its own

advantages and disadvantages.

Transmission of electricity

5 Electricity is transmitted through wires
from a distant.
6 The magnitude of the current has to be
lowered before the current is transmitted to
consumers.
Figure 8.42 [e-masteri Page 350 Rajah 7.109]
11 Figure 8.42 shows a model of the
National Grid Network.
12 The National Grid Network is a system
which connects all the power plants, the
station and consumers to form a closed
network.

13 Some of the advantages of the system

are:
(i) The power station can be built away from
Figure 8.41 [e-masteri Page 350 Rajah 7.108] the populated area.
(ii) The power supply is uninterrupted since the
7 Figure 8.41 shows a simple model of breakdown in a power station can be supported by
electricity transmission system. another power station.
(iii) The power supply is distributed
8 A step-up transformer is used to increase according to the demand to prevent
the voltage and lowered the current at the energy wastage.
power plant.
Quickcheck
9 The electricity is then transmitted Question :
through a grid system. A 5 000 W of power is transmitted
through a cable of resistance 5Ω . What is
10 A step-down transformer is used to the power loss in the cable if the current
decrease the voltage before the current is is transmitted at 1 250V?
being delivered to consumers. A 20W
B 40W
The National Grid Network C 60W
D 80W

Answer : D