7MAGNETISM AND ELECTROMAGNETISM
Magnetism
It refers to physical phenomena arising from the force caused by magnets.
Magnet
It is a ferrous material that attracts other metals.
A magnet is made up of small molecules called domain which points in the same direction.
Magnetization
This is a process of making a magnet from a non-magnetic material.
Methods of magnetization
1. Stroking method
stroking means moving something gently over the surface of the other object. During
stroking, as the magnet moves along the magnetic material, it causes the magnetic
domains in the magnetic material to become aligned in one direction and give rise to a
magnetic field. There is single touch and double touch stroking
Single touch Double touch
In single touch, one magnet is used
In double touch, two magnets are used. The magnets are stroked from the centre with different
poles and are moved in an opposite direction as shown in the figure above.
2. Electrical method (using a direct current)
When a direct current is passed through the solenoid (shown in figure below), the
unmagnetised iron will become magnetized after a while. This is because when an
electric current flows through the solenoid, it produces the magnetic field which causes
the magnetic domains in the iron to align in one direction thereby making the iron to
become magnetized.
Methods of demagnetization
1. Heating
Heating a piece of magnetized metal in a flame will cause demagnetization by destroying
the long-range order of magnetic domains within the magnet. By heating a magnet,
magnetic domain gain energy and vibrate. As a result, they are forced to move in different
directions within the magnet and leaving the piece of metal with very little or no
magnetization.
2. Hammering
when a magnet is hammered or dropped, the vibrations caused by the impact on the
magnet, randomize the magnetic molecules within the magnet, forcing them out of order
and destroying the long-range order of the unit magnet.
3. Electrical method (using Alternating Current)
Using an AC current produces a magnetic field which can be moved and reduced to
demagnetize materials. The field created by the AC current drags the magnetic molecules
of the magnet in different directions. When the AC current is altered or reduced, the
molecules within the magnet do not all return to previous positions, causing randomization
of the molecules and reducing the force of the magnet.
Magnetic materials
Magnetic materials are grouped as soft and hard materials
Hard magnetic materials are difficult to magnetise but also they don’t lose their magnetism
so easly e.g. steel. These materials are used to make permanent magnets.
Soft magnetic material is easy to magnetise and also loses its magnetism so easily e.g. iron.
Magnetic field
This is the space surrounding a magnet in which magnetic force is experienced.
That force is known as the magnetic flux. The magnetic flux is a vector quantity, as such
it is indicated in magnitude and direction by the lines and arrows which run from the N-
pole to the S-pole as shown in the diagram below.
Electromagnetism
The term electromagnetism is made up of two words, ‘electricity’ and ‘magnetism.’
It is a field of physics which deals with electricity and magnetism and their interaction.
Magnetic effect of current-carrying conductor
A wire carrying an electric current produces a magnetic field. The shape of this field depends
upon the shape of the wire.
A straight wire
The magnetic field around a straight wire consists of ‘concentric circles’ (circles around
the same centre). These are at right angles to the direction in which the electric current
flows. The results can be remembered using the right hand grip rule as shown below where
the thumb represent the direction of current and other fingers show the direction of
magnetic [Link] needle of the campus points in the same direction as magnetic field.
In (b) the direction of current is reversed hence the direction of magnetic field is reversed as
well.
A loop
The magnetic field around a loop also consists of concentric circles, but there are two sets of
them acting in opposite directions.
The magnetic field for a coil of wire with a single turn
A solenoid
A solenoid consists of a long piece of wire made into several coils. Its magnetic field is the
same as the magnetic field produced by a simple bar magnet.``
Both loop and solenoid also follows the right hand grip rule.
Current carrying wire in a magnetic field of a bar magnet
A wire carrying current in a magnetic field experiences a force. The direction of a force on a
wire is determined by using the Fleming’s left-hand rule.
Fleming’s left hand rule is also known as the rule of motors
The force produced increases if:
a. The strength of the field increases
b. The current increases
Electromagnetic induction
It refers to the production of electricity from the magnetism. Consider the diagram below.
When the wire is moved up and down between the poles of a U-shaped magnet, it cuts the
magnetic flux which induces the voltage detected by the galvanometer. A galvanometer
measures very small voltages. The voltage is produced only when the wire is moving
upwards or downwards and there is no deflection on the meter if the wire is [Link]
direction of the induced current can be remembered by using the Flemming’s right hand
rule.
Likewise, the voltage can be produced if a bar magnet is inserted in and out of the coil as
shown below
Take note that the voltage is induced whenever there is motion in a magnetic field.
Factors that affect the direction and magnitude of the induced emf
1. number of turns on the coil
2. strength of the magnet
3. speed of the motion in and out of the coil
Faraday’s law
It state that the size of the induced p.d is directly proportional to the rate at which the conductor
cuts the magnetic field lines.
The direction of the induced current is described by lenz’s law
Lenz’s law states that the direction of the current is such as to oppose the change causing it
When S-pole is inserted into the coil, the current will be produced which will cause the side
facing the magnet to have the polarity of S which repel with the S-pole of the magnet and vice
versa.
Alternate current (AC) generators
Generators obey Faraday’s and Lenz’s law. Figure below shows the schematic diagram of a
simple ac generator.
As the coil rotates, its sides cut the magnetic flux, and therefore a current is induced in it.
When the motion of the coil is parallel to the direction of the magnetic field, no current is
induced.
Changing of the vale and direction of the current when the coil is rotating
Consider that the coil is rotating clockwise,
When side x is uppermost, so that the coil is perpendicular to magnetic field; no voltage is
induced. As the coil is rotating, the current is increasing and it is maximum when x faces directly
the N-pole. The current starts to decrease from this position and is zero when x faces downwards.
From this point the direction of the current changes and it also increases up until side x points
directly S- pole. The direction of the induced current can be obtained by using Flemings’ right
hand rule (rule of dynamos)
The diagram summarizing the motion of the coil and direction of the induced current in one
complete revolution
The dc generator
The a.c generator becomes a d.c generator when one of the slip rings is removed and replaced by
a commutator as shown in the figure below
The brushes are arranged so that as the coil goes through the vertical, changeover of contact
occurs from one half f the slit ring of the commutator to the other. In this position the voltage
induced in the coil reverses and so one brush is always positive and the other negative.
The transformer
A transformer is a device that stps up (increases) or steps down (decreases) the electric power.
There are two types of transformers, namely; step up and step down transformers.
Diagram of a transformer
STEP-UP TRANSFORMER
Number of turns and voltage
Voltage and current
Efficiency of the transformer
Power loss in transmission line and transformer
Environmental impact of power generation and transmission
Ways of minimizing power losses