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O-LEVEL PHYSICS: NOTES ON MAGNETISM
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Magnetism is a phenomenon where materials exert attractive or repulsive
forces on other materials. It is a non-contact force that operates
through magnetic fields.
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1. PROPERTIES OF MAGNETS AND MAGNETIC MATERIALS
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* Magnetic Poles:
- Every magnet has two poles: a North pole (N) and a South pole (S).
- Like poles repel each other (N-N or S-S).
- Unlike poles attract each other (N-S).
* Law of Magnetism:
- Repulsion is the only sure test for a magnet. An unmagnetised iron
bar will be attracted to both poles of a magnet, but a magnetized
bar will be repelled by one of the poles.
* Magnetic Materials:
- Strongly attracted by magnets (e.g., Iron, Steel, Cobalt, Nickel).
- Ferromagnetic materials contain atomic magnetic dipoles.
* Non-Magnetic Materials:
- Cannot be magnetized and are not attracted (e.g., Copper, Aluminum,
Wood, Plastics, Glass).
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2. TEMPORARY VS. PERMANENT MAGNETS (IRON VS. STEEL)
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Different magnetic materials behave differently when magnetized:
* Soft Magnetic Materials (e.g., Soft Iron):
- Easy to magnetize but loses magnetism easily.
- High susceptibility, low retentivity.
- Used in: Electromagnets, transformers, magnetic screening.
* Hard Magnetic Materials (e.g., Steel, Alnico):
- Hard to magnetize but retains magnetism for a long time.
- Low susceptibility, high retentivity.
- Used in: Permanent magnets, compasses, loudspeakers.
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3. MAGNETIC FIELDS AND INDUCTION
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* Magnetic Field:
- A region in space where a magnetic force is experienced by a
magnetic material or a moving charge.
* Magnetic Field Lines (Flux Lines):
- Travel from the North pole to the South pole outside the magnet.
- The density of lines represents strength; lines closer together
indicate a stronger magnetic field (strongest at the poles).
- Field lines never cross or intersect each other.
* Magnetic Induction:
- The process where an unmagnetised magnetic material becomes a
magnet temporarily when placed near or in contact with a magnet.
- The near end induces an opposite pole, causing attraction.
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4. METHODS OF MAGNETISATION AND DEMAGNETISATION
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* Methods to Create a Magnet (Magnetisation):
1. Stroking Method: Stroke a steel bar repeatedly in one direction
with the same pole of a permanent magnet.
2. Electrical Method (Best Method): Place the steel bar inside a
solenoid and pass a large Direct Current (DC) through it.
* Methods to Destroy a Magnet (Demagnetisation):
1. Heating: Heat the magnet to redness. Thermal agitation randomizes
the aligned atomic dipoles.
2. Hammering: Hammer violently while aligned in an East-West direction.
3. Electrical Method (Best Method): Place the magnet inside a
solenoid connected to an Alternating Current (AC) supply, then
slowly withdraw it along the East-West axis while the current flows.
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5. ELECTROMAGNETISM (CURRENT-CARRYING CONDUCTORS)
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When electric current flows through a wire, it generates a magnetic field
around it.
* Straight Wire:
- Field forms concentric circles around the wire.
- Direction determined by the Right-Hand Grip Rule (Thumb points to
current, curled fingers point to magnetic field direction).
* Solenoid (Coil of Wire):
- Field pattern looks identical to a bar magnet (uniform inside).
- Direction determined by the Right-Hand Grip Rule for Coils (Curled
fingers point to current, thumb points to North Pole).
* Increasing Electromagnet Strength:
1. Increase the magnitude of the current flowing through the coil.
2. Increase the number of turns per unit length of the coil.
3. Insert a soft iron core into the center of the solenoid.
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6. THE MOTOR EFFECT AND ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCE
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When a current-carrying wire is placed in an external magnetic field, it
experiences a physical force. This is the foundation of electric motors.
* Fleming's Left-Hand Rule (For Motors/Force):
- Thumb : Direction of the Force / Motion (F)
- Index : Direction of the Magnetic Field (B, North to South)
- Middle : Direction of the Conventional Current (I, Positive to Negative)
- *Note: All three fingers must be held at 90 degrees to each other.*
* Factors Increasing the Force:
1. Increase the strength of the external magnetic field.
2. Increase the current flowing through the wire.
3. Increase the length of the wire inside the magnetic field.
4. Keep the wire perpendicular (90 degrees) to the field.
(Force is ZERO if the wire runs parallel to field lines).
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[ END OF REVISION NOTES ]
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