Chapter 4: Electricity – Magne4c and Hea4ng Effects

4.1 Does an Electric Current Have a Magne4c Effect?

When an electric current flows through a conductor such as a wire, it produces a magne6c
effect around it. This magne6c effect can be detected by observing the deflec6on of a
magne6c compass placed near the current-carrying wire.
Defini4on: Magne4c Field
A magne4c field is the region around a magnet or a current-carrying conductor where its
magne6c effect can be felt.
Defini4on: Magne4c Effect of Electric Current
The magne4c effect of electric current is the phenomenon in which a magne6c field is
produced around a conductor when electric current flows through it.
Observa4on from Experiment
When a compass is placed near a current-carrying wire:
• The needle deflects when the current flows.
• The needle returns to its original posi6on when the current stops.
This proves that electricity and magne4sm are related.
Applica4ons
The magne6c effect of electric current is used in:
• Electric motors
• Loudspeakers
• Electric bells
• Fans
• Electromagnets.

Be a Scien4st – Hans Chris4an Oersted

The connec6on between electricity and magne6sm was discovered by Hans Chris4an
Oersted in 1820.
Discovery
While demonstra6ng an electric circuit, Oersted no6ced that a compass needle placed near
the wire deflected whenever current flowed through the circuit.
Importance
This discovery proved that:
• Electric current produces a magne6c field.
• Electricity and magne6sm are closely related.
This discovery led to the development of many electromagne6c devices.

4.1.1 Electromagnets
Defini4on: Electromagnet
An electromagnet is a temporary magnet produced by passing electric current through a coil
of wire.
A simple electromagnet can be made by:
• Wrapping insulated wire around an iron nail.
• Connec6ng the wire to a baHery.
When current flows:
• The nail behaves like a magnet and aHracts iron objects.
When current stops:
 • The magne6c effect disappears.
Important Features of Electromagnets
• They are temporary magnets.
• Their strength can be controlled by electricity.
• They lose magne6sm when current stops.
Role of Iron Core
Electromagnets oJen contain an iron core, which:
• Increases the magne6c strength.
• Makes the electromagnet stronger.

Poles of an Electromagnet
Like a normal magnet, an electromagnet has two poles:
• North pole
• South pole
The polarity can be iden6fied using a magne6c compass.
Important Point
The direc4on of current determines the polarity of an electromagnet.

Think Like a Scien4st – Factors Affec4ng Strength of Electromagnets

Experiments show that the strength of an electromagnet depends on:
1. Amount of electric current
o More current → stronger magne6c field.
2. Number of turns of the coil
o More turns → stronger magnet.
3. Iron core
o Adding iron increases magne6c strength.
Reversing the Poles
If the direc4on of current is reversed, the poles of the electromagnet also reverse.

A Step Further – Earth as a Giant Magnet

The Earth behaves like a giant magnet.
Reason
Inside the Earth, molten iron in the core moves con6nuously.
This movement produces electric currents which create a magne4c field around the Earth.
Importance of Earth's Magne4c Field
• Helps a compass point in the north–south direc6on.
• Helps migratory animals navigate.
• Protects Earth from harmful space par6cles.

4.1.2 LiXing Electromagnets

Defini4on
A liXing electromagnet is a powerful electromagnet used to liJ heavy iron or steel objects.
Working
• When electric current flows → magnet becomes ac6ve and aHracts metal.
• When current stops → magne6c field disappears and the metal objects fall.
Applica4ons
LiJing electromagnets are used in:
 • Scrap yards
• Factories
• Cranes for liJing metal objects.

A Step Further – Link Between Electricity and Magne4sm

Electricity and magne6sm are deeply connected.
Important ideas:
• Electric current produces magne6sm.
• A moving magnet can produce electric current.
This principle forms the basis of:
• Electric generators
• Electric motors.

4.2 Does a Current Carrying Wire Get Hot?

When electric current flows through a wire, it may become warm due to resistance.
Defini4on: Resistance
Resistance is the opposi6on offered by a conductor to the flow of electric current.
Defini4on: Hea4ng Effect of Electric Current
The hea4ng effect of electric current is the phenomenon in which electrical energy is
converted into heat energy when current flows through a conductor.
Different materials have different resistance levels.
Example:
• Nichrome wire has higher resistance than copper.
Therefore it produces more heat.

Think Like a Scien4st – Factors Affec4ng Heat Produc4on

The amount of heat produced depends on:
1. Magnitude of electric current
2. Material of the wire
3. Length of the wire
4. Thickness of the wire
5. Dura6on of current flow
If more current flows, more heat is produced.

Applica4ons of Hea4ng Effect of Electric Current

Many appliances work on this principle:
• Electric heaters
• Electric irons
• Electric stoves
• Electric keHles
• Hair dryers
• Water heaters.
These devices contain a hea4ng element which becomes hot when current passes through
it.

Ever Heard Of – Industrial Use of Hea4ng Effect

The hea6ng effect of electric current is also used in industries.
Example:
In steel manufacturing, electric furnaces use electric current to generate high heat to melt
scrap steel and recycle it into usable steel.

A Step Further – Safety in Electrical Circuits

Some6mes the hea6ng effect can cause problems such as:
• Energy loss in wires
• Mel6ng of plas6c parts
• Electrical fires
To prevent such problems:
• Safety devices are used in circuits.
• Proper wires and sockets must be used.

4.3 How Does a Ba\ery Generate Electricity?

Electric cells and baHeries are portable sources of electricity.
Defini4on: Cell
A cell is a device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy.
Defini4on: Ba\ery
A ba\ery is a combina6on of two or more cells connected together to produce electric
current.
Electricity is produced because of chemical reac4ons occurring inside the cell.

4.3.1 Voltaic Cell

Defini4on
A Voltaic cell (Galvanic cell) is an electric cell that produces electricity through chemical
reac6ons between two different metals and an electrolyte.
Parts of a Voltaic Cell
1. Electrodes – metal plates
2. Electrolyte – liquid solu6on
3. Container – holds the electrolyte
When the circuit is connected:
• Current flows from posi6ve terminal to nega6ve terminal.
Over 6me the chemicals get used up and the cell stops working.
Such a cell is called a dead cell.

Ever Heard Of – Volta and Galvani

The Voltaic cell is named aJer Alessandro Volta and Luigi Galvani.
Discovery
Galvani no6ced that a frog’s leg twitched when touched with two metals.
Volta explained that electricity was produced by the metals and the liquid between them.
Result
Volta developed the first electric ba\ery, called the Voltaic pile.

Lemon Cell Experiment

Electric cells can also be made using fruits such as lemons.
Components:
• Copper wire
 • Iron nail
• Lemon juice
Here:
• Metals act as electrodes
• Lemon juice acts as electrolyte.
The chemical reac6on produces electricity.

A Step Further – Metal Combina4ons for Cells

Common metal pairs used in cells include:
• Zinc and copper
• Zinc and silver
• Aluminium and copper
• Iron and copper.
These metals behave differently because of their chemical proper6es.

4.3.2 Dry Cells

Dry cells are widely used in everyday life.
Defini4on: Dry Cell
A dry cell is an electric cell in which the electrolyte is present in the form of a moist paste
instead of a liquid.
Structure
A dry cell contains:
• Zinc container → nega6ve terminal
• Carbon rod → posi6ve terminal
• Electrolyte paste inside the cell.
Dry cells are single-use cells, meaning they cannot be recharged.

4.3.3 Rechargeable Ba\eries

Defini4on
Rechargeable ba\eries are baHeries that can be recharged and reused many 6mes.
Examples
Rechargeable baHeries are used in:
• Mobile phones
• Laptops
• Cameras
• Inverters
• Electric vehicles.
However, rechargeable baHeries also wear out aJer repeated charging cycles.

A Step Further – Lithium-ion Ba\eries

Most modern rechargeable baHeries are lithium-ion ba\eries.
Advantages:
• Long life
• Faster charging
• Higher efficiency
Scien6sts are developing solid-state ba\eries, which are expected to be:
• Safer
 • Longer las6ng
• Faster charging.

Key Points (Chapter Summary)

• Electric current produces a magne6c field around a conductor.
• A coil carrying current behaves like a magnet and is called an electromagnet.
• Heat is produced in conductors due to resistance.
• This is called the hea6ng effect of electric current.
• Cells and baHeries generate electricity through chemical reac6ons.
• Rechargeable baHeries can be reused many 6mes.