Chapter-13 Magnetic Effect of Electric Current

1. Why does a compass needle get deflected when brought near a bar magnet?
Solution: The compass needle is a small magnet. When the compass needle is brought
close to a bar magnet, the magnetic field lines of the compass needle interact with the
magnetic field lines of the bar magnet. Which causes the compass needle to deflect.
2. Draw magnetic field lines around a bar magnet.
Solution: Magnetic field lines of a bar magnet emerge from the North Pole and terminate
at the South Pole, as shown in the figure below

3. List the properties of magnetic field lines.

Solution: The properties of magnetic field lines are as follows:
 Magnetic field lines do not intersect with each other.
 They emerge from the North Pole and terminate at the South Pole.
 Inside the magnet, the direction of the field lines is from the South Pole to the North Pole.
4. Why don't two magnetic field lines intersect each other?
Solution: If two magnetic field lines intersect then at the point of intersection, the compass needle
shows two different directions of magnetic field, which is not possible. Hence they do not intersect
with each other.
5. Consider a circular loop of wire lying in the plane of the table. Let the current pass through the loop
clockwise. Apply the right-hand rule to find out the direction of the magnetic field inside and
outside the loop.
Solution:

For the downward direction of the current, the direction of the magnetic field will be as if emerging from
the table outside the loop and merging with the table inside the loop. Similarly, for current flowing in an
upward direction, the direction of the magnetic field will be as if they are emerging from the table
outside the loop and merging with the table inside the loop. As shown in the figure.

6. The magnetic field in a given region is uniform. Draw a diagram to represent it.

Solution:

7. Choose the correct option.

(A) The magnetic field inside a long straight solenoid-carrying current.
(a) Is zero.
(b) Decreases as we move towards its end.
(c) Increases as we move towards its end.
(d) Is the same at all points.

Solution: (d) is the same at all points. The magnetic field inside a long straight current-
carrying solenoid is uniform. Therefore, it is the same at all points.

(B) Which of the following property of a proton can change while it moves freely in a magnetic
field? (There may be more than one correct answer.)
(a) Mass (b) Speed (c) Velocity (d) Momentum

Solution: (c) and (d). When a proton enters the region of a magnetic field, it experiences a
magnetic force. Due to this, the path of the proton becomes circular. As a result, the velocity
and the momentum change.

8. In Activity 13.7, how do we think the displacement of rod AB will be affected if (i) current in
rod AB is increased; (ii) a stronger horse-shoe magnet is used; and (iii) length of the rod AB
is increased?
Solution: A current-carrying conductor, when placed in a magnetic field, experiences force.
The magnitude of this force will increase with the increase in the amount of current, the
length of the conductor and the strength of the magnetic field. Hence, the strength of the
magnetic force exerted on the rod AB and its displacement will increase if
I. The current in rod AB is increased
II. A stronger horseshoe magnet is used
III. When the length of the rod AB increases
9. A positively-charged particle (alpha-particle) projected towards the west is deflected
towards north by a magnetic field. The direction of magnetic field is
(a) towards south (b) towards east (c) downward (d) upward

Solution: The direction of the magnetic field can be determined using Fleming's Left-hand
rule. According to the rule, if we arrange our thumb, forefinger and the middle finger of the
left hand right perpendicular to each other, then the thumb points towards the direction of
the magnetic force, the middle finger the direction of current and the forefinger the
direction of magnetic field. Since the direction of the positively charged particle is towards
the west, the direction of the current will also be towards the west. The direction of the
magnetic force is towards the north. Hence the direction of the magnetic field will be
upward according to Fleming's Left-hand rule

10. State Fleming's left-hand rule.

Solution: Fleming's Left-hand rule states that if we arrange our thumb. forefinger and
middle finger of the left hand at right angles to each other, then the thumb points towards
the direction of the magnetic force, the forefinger points towards the direction of the
magnetic field and the middle finger points towards the direction of the current.
11. What is the principle of an electric motor?
Solution: The working principle of an electric motor is based on the magnetic effect of
current. A current-carrying conductor, when placed in a magnetic field, experiences force
and rotates. The direction of the rotation of the conductor can be determined by Fleming's
Left-hand rule.
12. What is the role of split ring in an electric motor?
Solution: The split ring plays the role of a commutator in an electric motor. The
commutator reverses the direction of the current flowing through the coil after each half-
rotation of the coil. Due to this reversal of current, the coil continues to rotate in the same
direction.
13. State the principle of an electric generator.
Solution: Electric generator is a device which transforms mechanical energy into electrical
energy. It is based on the principle of electromagnetic induction which means that when a
conducting coil is rotated in a magnetic field, an electric current is induced in the coil due to
the continuous change in magnetic field.
14. Name some sources of direct current.
Solution: Some sources of direct current are:
I. Dry cell
II. DC generator
III. Solar panel.
15. Which sources produce alternating current?
Solution: The sources producing alternating current are:
I. Nuclear power generator
II. Hydropower generator
 III. Thermal power generator
16. A rectangular coil of copper wires is rotated in a magnetic field. The direction of the
induced current changes once in each (Choose the correct option)
a) two revolutions
b) one revolution
c) half revolution
d) one-fourth revolution
17. Name two safety measures commonly used in electric circuits and appliances.
Solution: Two safety measures commonly used in electric circuits and appliances are
I. Fuse: Each circuit should be connected to a fuse because a fuse prevents the flow of
excessive current through the circuit. When the current in the circuit exceeds the
maximum limit of the fuse element, the fuse melts to stop the flow of current protecting
the appliance connected to the circuit.
II. Earthing: Earthing protects the user from electric shocks. Any leakage of current in an
appliance is transferred to the ground by earthing, and the people using the appliance
are prevented from getting electrocuted.
18. An electric oven of 2 kW power rating is operated in a domestic electric circuit (220 V) that
has a current rating of 5 A. What result do you expect? Explain.
Solution: The current drawn by the electric oven can be calculated using the formula

P=VxI

1=P /V

Substituting the values, we get

I =2000 W /220 V =9.09 A

The current drawn by the electric oven is 9.09 A which exceeds the safe limit of the circuit.

This causes the fuse to melt and break the circuit.

19. What precaution should be taken to avoid the overloading of domestic electric circuits?
Solution: A few of the precautions to be taken to avoid the overloading of domestic electric
circuits are as follows
 Connecting too many devices to a single socket should be avoided
 Using too many appliances at the same time should be avoided
 Faulty appliances should not be connected to the circuit.

Exercises
7. List two methods of producing magnetic fields.
Solution: Following are the methods of producing magnetic fields:
 By using a permanent magnet, we can produce a magnetic field, and it can be visualized
by spreading iron fillings on white paper and keeping a magnet beneath the paper.
  A current-carrying straight conductor produces magnetic field.
 Different types of conductors, such as solenoid and circular loops, can be used to see the
presence of a magnetic field.
8. How does a solenoid behave like a magnet? Can you determine the north and south poles
of a current-carrying solenoid with the help of a bar magnet? Explain.
Solution: A solenoid is a long coil of circular loops of insulated copper wire. The magnetic
field produced around the solenoid when the current is passed through it is similar to the
magnetic field produced around the bar magnet when a current is passed through it. The
figure shown below shows the arrangement of magnetic fields produced around the
solenoid when current is passed through it.

When the north pole of the bar magnet is brought close to the end connected to the negative
terminal of the battery, the solenoid repels the battery. As like poles repel each other, we can
infer that the end connected to the negative terminal behaves as a north pole while the end
connected to the positive terminal behaves as a south pole.

9. When is the force experienced by a current-carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field

largest?
Solution: When the direction of the current is perpendicular to the direction of the
magnetic field, the force experienced is the largest.
10. Imagine that you are sitting in a chamber with your back to one wall. An electron beam,
moving horizontally from back wall towards the front wall, is deflected by a strong
magnetic field to your right side. What is the direction of magnetic field?
Solution: The direction of the magnetic field can be determined using Fleming's Left-hand
rule. The direction of the magnetic field will be perpendicular to the direction of the current
and the direction of deflection, i.e., either upward or downward. The direction of the
current is from the front wall to the back wall because negatively charged electrons move
from the back wall to the front wall. The direction of the magnetic force is rightward.
 Hence, using Fleming's left-hand rule, it can be concluded that the direction of the magnetic
field inside the chamber is downward.
11. Draw a labelled diagram of an electric motor. Explain its principle and working. What is the
function of a split ring in an electric motor?
Solution: An electric motor is a device that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy.
It works on the principle of the magnetic effect of current. The figure listed below shows a
simple electric motor.

When current is made to flow through the coil MNST by closing the switch, the coil starts to
rotate in the anticlockwise direction. This is due to the downward force acting on the length
MN and simultaneously an upward force acting along the length ST. As a result of which,
the coil rotates in the anticlockwise direction. Current in the length MN flows from M to N.
and the magnetic fields act from left to right normal to the length MN. According to
Fleming's Left-Hand rule, a downward force acts along the length MN. Similarly, the current
along the length ST flows from S to T and the magnetic field acts from left to right.
Therefore, an upward force acts along the length ST. These two forces together cause the
coil to rotate anti-clockwise. After half a rotation, the position of MN and ST interchange.
The half-ring C comes in contact with brush B and the half-ring D comes in contact with
rush C. Hence the direction of current in the coil MNST gets reversed.
12. Name some devices in which electric motors are used.
Solution: A few devices in which electric motors are used are:
Electric fans, Water pumps, Mixers and Washing machines.
13. A coil of insulated copper wire is connected to a galvanometer. What will happen if a bar
magnet is (i) pushed into the coil, (ii) withdrawn from inside the coil, (iii) held stationary
inside the coil?
Solution:
I. When a bar magnet is pushed into the coil, a current is induced in the coil
momentarily. As a result, the galvanometer deflects in a particular direction
momentarily.
 II. When the bar magnet is withdrawn from inside the coil, a current is induced
momentarily but in the opposite direction, and the galvanometer deflects in
the opposite direction momentarily.
III. When the bar magnet is held stationary inside the coil, no current will be
induced. As a result, there will be no deflection in the galvanometer.
14. Two circular coils A and B are placed closed to each other. If the current in the coil A is
changed, will some current be induced in the coil B? Give reason.
Solution:-When the current in coil A changes, the magnetic field associated with it also
changes. As a result, the magnetic field around coil B undergoes change. The change in the
magnetic field of coil B induces a current in it.
15. State the rule to determine the direction of a (i) magnetic field produced around a straight
conductor-carrying current, (ii) force experienced by a current-carrying straight conductor
placed in a magnetic field which is perpendicular to it, and (iii) current induced in a coil due
to its rotation in a magnetic field.
Solution:
I. The rule used to determine the direction of the magnetic field produced
around a straight conductor-carrying current is Maxwell's right-hand thumb
rule.
II. The rule used to determine the force experienced by a current-carrying
straight conductor placed in a magnetic field which is perpendicular to it is
the Fleming's left hand rule.
III. The rule used to determine the current induced in a coil due to its rotation in
a magnetic field is Fleming's right-hand rule.
16. Explain the underlying principle and working of an electric generator by drawing a labelled
diagram. What is the function of brushes?
Solution: An electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical
energy.
Principle: An electric generator is based on the principle of electromagnetic induction
which states that when a conductor moves in a magnetic field, an electric current is
induced. The direction of this induced current is given by Fleming's right hand rule
Working: As the armature coil is rotated in the magnetic field, angle between the field and
normal to the coil changes continuously. Therefore, the magnetic flux linked with the coil
changes. An e.m.f. is induced in the coil.
 Function of brushes: Brushes are responsible for a continuous flow of current during the
rotation process.
17. When does an electric short circuit occur?
Solution: Listed below are two instances of when a short-circuit can occur:
(I) When too many appliances are connected to a single socket or when high power rating
appliances are connected to a light circuit, the resistance of the circuit becomes low. As a
result, the current flowing through the circuit becomes very high. This condition results in a
short circuit.
(II) When live wires whose insulation has worn off come in contact with each other, the
current flowing in the circuit increases abruptly, which results in a short circuit.
18. What is the function of an earth wire? Why is it necessary to earth metallic appliances?
Solution: The metallic body of electric appliances is earthed by means of an earth wire. Any
leakage of electric wire is transferred to the ground by means of the earth wire. This
prevents the user of the electric appliance from getting electric shocks. This is the reason
why it is important for metallic appliances to be earthed.