CHAPTER

MAGNETIC EFFECTS OF
2 ELECTRIC CURRENT
INTRODUCTION
Both Electricity and Magnetism have been known for many years, but it was almost 200 years back it was
realized that Electricity and Magnetism are intimately related.
During a lecture demonstration, in the year of 1820, the Danish physicist Hans Christian Oersted noticed
that a current in a straight wire caused a noticeable deflection in a nearby magnetic compass needle. The
phenomenon was further studied and it was concluded that a current in a straight wire produces a magnetic
field. As electric current consists of moving charges, the idea was further studied and it was found out that a
moving charge produces a magnetic field in their surrounding space.
Modern Theory of magnetism explains the cause of Magnetism in terms of spin of electrons. This theory
suggests that electrons revolve around Nucleus and at the same time, electrons spin about their axes. It is the
Spinning motion of many electrons in the same direction which causes certain substances to show magnetism.

MAGNET
A magnet is a substance which attracts small pieces of iron and points in
North-South direction when suspended freely. It produces a magnetic field.
This magnetic field is invisible but is responsible for the most notable property
of a magnet: a force that pulls on other magnetic substances such as iron, and
attracts or repels other magnets. A freely suspended magnet aligns itself along
the North-South direction. This property was used for navigational purposes
earlier. A naturally occurring iron ore called lodestone or magnetite has a
property of attracting iron pieces. It was found in Magnesia. The end pointing
towards the geographical north is called North Pole and the other end pointing towards the geographical south
is called South Pole.

MAGNETISM
Magnetism is a class of physical phenomena that are mediated
by magnetic fields. In 1600, William Gilbert published his book which
describes many of his experiments with his model earth called
the Terrella. From his experiments, he concluded that the Earth was itself
magnetic and that this was the reason compasses pointed north.
A magnet attracts small pieces of Iron and always aligns or comes to rest
in North-South direction, if suspended freely.

SOME COMMON TYPE OF MAGNETS

The common types of magnets are horseshoe magnet, cylindrical magnet, ring magnet, bar magnet, etc.

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 PROPERTIES OF MAGNETS
(a) Poles of magnet: The ends of a magnet where the magnetic effect is maximum are called the poles of a
magnet.
(b) Directional Property: A magnet always contains two poles (North Pole and South Pole) and if a magnet
is suspended freely, it always comes to rest in North-South Direction. The side of magnet facing north contains
North Pole and side facing south contains South Pole. This directional property of magnet is used for
Navigational purpose by travelers.
(c) Attraction and Repulsion property: Like poles repel and unlike poles attract each other.

(d) Magnetic poles always exist in pairs: The pole of a magnet cannot be separated. If a bar magnet is cut
into two pieces than each piece will behave as a complete magnet having a north and south pole.
(e) Repulsion as a sure test of a Magnet: As attraction towards a Magnet can be shown by a Magnetic
substance like Iron and also by an opposite pole of a magnet, one cannot deduce that the attracted substance
is a Magnet. However, if a substance is repelled by a Magnet, one can be 100% sure that the repulsion is
shown by opposite pole and hence the substance brought near is a Magnet for sure.

MAGNETIC SUBSTANCES
The substances which are influenced by Magnets are called Magnetic substances. e.g. Iron, Nickel, Steel,
Cobalt etc. The cause of influence is explained later by Magnetic Induction.

Difference between Magnets and Magnetic substances

Magnets Magnetic Substances

It is a substance which attracts Metals like Iron, It is a substance which gets influenced by
Cobalt or Nickel. Magnets in called Magnetic Substance.
They always come to rest in North South They don’t show any directional property.
direction when suspended freely.
Magnets always have North and South Poles. Magnetic substances don’t have any poles on
their own; however under the influence of an
external magnet, poles are induced in these
substances.
Magnets can attract or repel other magnets A magnetic substance is always attracted
depending on the poles that are brought nearby. towards a Magnet.

MAGNETIC FIELD
The space around a magnet where its influence is felt is called the magnetic [Link] is also the region around
the magnet in which the force of attraction and repulsion due to the magnet can be detected. It is a vector
quantity.

MAGNETIC FIELD LINES

These are imaginary lines of force in a magnetic field which
continuously represent the direction of the magnetic field. The
tangent drawn at any point on a line of force shows the
direction of magnetic field at that point.
This figure shows the magnetic lines of force.

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 PROPERTIES OF MAGNETIC FIELD LINES
(i) The magnetic lines of force emerge from the north pole and following a curved path, enter the South-Pole
and reach back the North-Pole moving inside the magnet. Thus, these are closed curves.
(ii) Magnetic field lines never intersect. If they ever did so, there would have been two tangents at the point
of intersection, that is, two directions of magnetic field at one point, which is impossible.
(iii) Near the poles, where the field is stronger, the lines of force are closer. The field becomes weaker and
lines become rarer, if moves away from the poles.

MAGNETIC EFFECT OF ELECTRIC CURRENT

Oersted’s Experiment
Consider a wire lying in the North South direction and carries current flowing from South to North. Now if a
Magnetic needle is placed right below the wire, it is observed that the compass needle gets deflected towards
west. As the north pole of the needle gets deflected towards west magnetic field under the wire is from east to
west and vice-versa Now if the needle is brought on the top of the wire, deflection is observed towards east
i.e. magnetic field points in the direction from west to east and vice- versa.

The conclusion of this experiment is that even a current carrying conductor produces a magnetic field.
NOTE: “SNOW” rule: When current flows from South to NOrth, the magnetic needle deflects towards West.

DIRECTION OF MAGNETIC FIELD

The direction of magnetic field (lines of force) produced due to flow
of current can be known by the following rules:
(a) Maxwell’s cork screw rule
Imagine a right handed cork screw lying with its axis coincides with
the current carrying wire. It is now rotated such that it advances in
the direction of the current, the direction in which the screw rotates
gives the direction for the magnetic lines of force.

(b) Right Hand Thumb Rule:

Imagine that you are holding a current-carrying straight
conductor in your right hand such that the thumb points
towards the direction of current. Then your fingers will wrap
around the conductor in the direction of the field lines of the
magnetic field. This is known as the right-hand thumb rule.

MAGNETIC FIELD DUE TO A STRAIGHT CURRENT CARRYING WIRE

When a current is passed through a conducting wire, a magnetic field is produced around it. The direction of
magnetic field due to a straight current carrying wire can be mapped by means of a small compass needle or
by iron fillings.

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 Take a sheet of smooth cardboard with a hole at the centre. Place it horizontally and pass a wire vertically
through the hole. When we sprinkle some iron fillings on the cardboard and pass an electric current through
the wire, these arrange themselves in concentric circles, when the cardboard is gently tapped. These concentric
circles represent the magnetic field lines.
This shows that there exist a magnetic field around a straight current-carrying conductor and it is in the form
of concentric circular field lines with the conductor at the centre.

If a small compass needle is kept anywhere on the board near the wire, the direction in which the north pole
of the needle points gives the direction of the magnetic the magnetic field (i.e., magnetic lines of force) at that
point.
The magnetic lines of force form concentric circles near the wire, with their plane perpendicular to the straight
conductor and with their centers lying on its axis. if the direction of current in the wire is reversed, the direction
of lines of force is also reversed.
On increasing the strength of current in the wire, the lines of force becomes denser and iron fillings are
arranged in circles upto a larger distance from the wire, showing that the magnetic field strength has increased.

MAGNETIC FIELD DUE TO A CURRENT-

CARRYING CIRCULAR COIL
Soon after Oersted’s discovery of magnetic effect of
current carrying wire, Ampere found that a loop of wire
also had a magnetic field. Now, In order to find the
magnetic field due to a coil, a piece of wire bent in the
form of a ring (or coil) is passed through a horizontal
cardboard C at two points P and Q at the opposite ends
of a diameter of the ring and then some iron fillings are
scattered on the cardboard. The ends of the coil are
connected to a battery through a rheostat and a key.
When a strong electric current is passed through the coil
by closing the key and the cardboard is gently tapped we find that the iron filings arrange themselves in a
definite pattern representing the magnetic lines of force due to the current carrying coil.
Direction of magnetic field is found by applying the right hand thumb rule to each section of the coil and we
find that the concentric lines of force pass through the coil in the same direction. From the above pattern, the
following important conclusions have been drawn.
(i) The magnetic lines of force are nearly circular and concentric near the wire.
(ii) Within the space enclosed by the wire, the lines of force are in the same direction.
(iii) Near the center of the coil, the lines of force are nearly parallel and the magnetic field may be assumedto
be practically uniform for a small space around the centre.
(iv) At the centre, the lines of force are perpendicular to the plane of the coil.
(v) The magnetic field strength is increased if the number of turns in the coil is increased or if the strength of
current is increased.
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 CLOCK RULE
The polarity of the faces of the coil depends on the direction of current and is determined by the clock rule.
Looking at the face of the coil, if the current around the face is in an anticlockwise direction, the face has north
polarity, while if the current at that face is in the clockwise direction, the face has south polarity. This can be
tested by using a compass needle.

Magnetic field B produced by a current-carrying circular wire at its centre:

Magnetic field produced by a circular coil carrying current is directly proportional to both, number of turn (N)
and current (I), but inversely proportional to its radius (r). Thus, the strength of magnetic field produced by a
current carrying circular coil can be increased by the following ways:
(i) increasing the number of turns of wire in the coil
(ii) increasing the current following through the coil
(iii) decreasing the radius of the coil.

MAGNETIC FIELD DUE TO A CURRENT-CARRYING SOLENOID

If a conducting wire is wounded in the form of a cylindrical coil whose diameter is less in comparison to the
length, then this coil is called a solenoid (it looks like a helical spring).
The magnetic field lines in a solenoid, through which current is passed, are as shown in figure.

The magnetic field, thus produced, is very much similar to that of a bar magnet and one end of the coil acts
like a magnetic north pole while the other acts like a magnetic south pole.
In other words, a current carrying solenoid behaves as a bar magnet.

Note:
(i) The lines of force inside the solenoid are nearly straight and parallel to the axis of the solenoid.
(ii) Magnetic field inside a long solenoid is uniform and strong and it decreases as we move towards the
ends of the solenoid because magnetic field lines near the ends of the solenoid is non-uniform and weak.
(iii) The magnetic field outside a solenoid is non-uniform and weak
(iv) The magnetic field is also increased if soft iron core is kept along the axis of the solenoid.

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 The strength of magnetic field produced by a current carrying solenoid depends upon:
(i) The number of turns in the solenoid: Larger the number of turns in the solenoid, greater will be the
magnetic field produced.
(ii) The strength of current in the solenoid: Larger the current passed through solenoid, stronger will be the
magnetic field produced.
(iii) The nature of “core material” used in making solenoid: The use of soft iron rod as core in a solenoid
produced the strongest magnet.
Magnetic field inside the solenoid is:
B =μ0nI [Here ‘n’ is number of turns per unit length]
At the ends of the solenoid the magnetic field:
1
Bend = 0n
2

PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY MAGNETS:

(i) Permanent Magnets: Permanent magnets differ from temporary magnets by
their ability to remain magnetized without the influence of a nearby external
magnetic field. Typically, permanent magnets are made from "hard" magnetic
materials where "hard" refers to a material's ability to become magnetized and
remain magnetized. Steel is an example of a hard magnetic material.
Many permanent magnets are created by exposing the magnetic material to a
very strong external magnetic field. Once the external magnetic field is removed,
the treated magnetic material is now converted into a permanent magnet.

(ii) Temporary Magnets: Unlike permanent magnets,

temporary magnets cannot remain magnetized on their own.
Soft magnetic materials like iron and nickel will not attract
paper clips after a strong external magnetic field has been
removed.
One example of an industrial temporary magnet is an
electromagnet used to move scrap metal in a salvage yard.
An electric current flowing through a coil that surrounds an
iron plate induces a magnetic field that magnetizes the plate.
When the current flows, the plate picks up scrap metal. When
the current stops, the plate releases the scrap metal.

ELECTROMAGNET
An electromagnet is a temporary strong magnet and is just a solenoid with its winding on a soft iron core. As
electromagnet works on the magnetic effect of current. When current is passed through a long coil called
solenoid, a magnetic field is produced. It has been found that if a soft iron rod called core, is placed inside a
solenoid then the strength of magnetic field becomes very large because the iron core gets magnetised by
induction. This combination of a solenoid and a soft iron core is called an electromagnet.

Electromagnets can be made in different shapes and sizes depending on the purpose for which they are to be
used. They are used to lift heavy iron pieces and in many devices like electric bell, electric horn, telephone
receiver, TV, etc

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 Distinguish between Permanent Magnet and Electromagnet.

Sr. No Electromagnet Permanent Magnet

1 It can be demagnetized easily It cannot be demagnetized easily
2 Its magnetic field can be varied by Its magnetic field cannot be changed
changing the strength of current
3 The polarity of an electromagnet can be The polarity of a permanent magnet cannot
reversed by reversing the direction of be reversed
electric current through the solenoid

MAGNETIC FORCE
Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor in a
Magnetic Field:
Immediately after Oersted’s discovery of
electric currents producing magnetic fields and
exerting forces on magnets, Ampere suggested
that magnet must also exert equal and opposite
force on a current-carrying conductor.
When a current carrying, conductor is kept in a
magnetic field (not parallel to it), a force acts on
it. This force is created due to the interaction of
magnetic field of the current in the conductor
and the external magnetic field on the conductor.
As a result of this superposition, the resultant
magnetic field on one side of conductor is
weaker than on the other side. hence the conductor experience a resultant force in one direction.
Take a small aluminum rod AB. Suspend it horizontally by means of two connecting wires from a stand. Now,
place a strong horseshoe magnet in such a way that the rod is between the two poles with the field directed
upwards. If a current is now passed in the road from B to A, we will observe that the rod gets displaced. This
displacement is caused by the force acting on the current-carrying rod. The magnet exerts a force on the rod
directed towards the right, with the result the rod will get deflected to the right. If we reverse the current or
interchange the poles of the magnet, the deflection of the rod will reverse, indicating thereby that the direction
of the force acting on it gets reversed. This shows that there is a relationship among the directions of the
current, the field and the motion of the conductor.

Direction of Force acting on the Current Carrying Conductor:

The direction of force is obtained by the Fleming’s left hand rule.

Fleming left hand rule:

Stretch the forefinger, middle finger and the thumb of you left hand mutually perpendicular to each other as
shown in figure. It the forefinger indicates the direction of the magnetic field and the middle finger indicates
the direction of current, then the thumb will indicate the direction of motion (i.e., force) on the conductor.

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 DC MOTOR
A Motor is a device which converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.
Principle: It works on the principle that a current carrying coil experiences couple when placed in a magnetic
field, which sets it into continuous rotations.

Construction:
Permanent magnet: It gives the necessary magnetic field. This is made concave in shape so as to give radial
field. In large motors, in order to have strong magnetic field, electromagnets are used.
Armature coil: It consists of a large number of insulated copper coils wound on a laminated soft iron core.
The function of the coil to set up magnetic field when a current is passed through it. The core is laminated to
avoid any eddy current loss, and to provide strong magnetic field when current flows through the coil.

Commutator: The ends of the wire are connected to the two split rings C1 and C2 of the commutator. The
function of the commutator is to change the direction of the current after half a rotation of the coil.
Brushes: The function of the two brushes B1 and B2 is to give electrical connection from the battery wire to
the rotating coil, i.e., between the stationary parts and the moving parts of the electric circuit.
Battery: The function of the battery is to give the motor the necessary electrical energy.

Working: The current from the terminal of the battery passes through the brush B1, split ring C1, and the
armature coil ABCD returns via split ring C2, brush B2,
to the negative terminal of the battery. The coil is
placed in such a way that the magnetic field created by
it is perpendicular to field due to magnets.
The current carrying coil is kept in the magnetic field
of the permanent magnet. Therefore it will experience
a force.
As per Fleming’s left hand rule, the arm AB of the coil
experiences a force perpendicular to the plane of the
paper and into the paper. The arm CD experiences a
force perpendicular to the plane of paper and outwards
(opposite to that of end AB) as shown in (a). These
two forces constitute a couple and the motor rotates in
clockwise direction.

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 When the coil turns through 900, the magnetic field due to the coil and the field due to the permanent magnet
become parallel to each other. Therefore, rotation should stop as there will not be any couple when the two
fields are parallel. But due to the inertia of a motion, it continues to rotate and it turns through 1800.
Now the commutator reverses the direction of the current which flows along DCBA. (as shown in (b). The
arm CD of the wire experiences a force perpendicular to the plane of the paper and into the paper, and the arm
AB experiences a force perpendicular to the plane of the paper and outwards (Opposite to that of end AB).
Thus, the motor rotates continuously in one direction.

ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION
When an electric current is passed through a conductor, a magnetic field is produced around the conductor.
Faraday thought that as a magnetic field is produced by electric current, it should be possible to produce an
electric current by the magnetic field. According to him, whenever there is a change in the magnetic lines of
force associated with a conductor, an electromotive force (e.m.f.) is set up at the ends of the conductor which
lasts as long as the change is taking place. This phenomenon is called electromagnetic induction.

Faraday’s Experiments:
Wind an insulated copper wire on a
wooden cylinder so as to form a solenoid
coil. Connect the two ends of the coil to
the galvanometer. Place a magnet along
the axis of the coil.
(i) When the north pole of the magnet is
brought near the coil, the current flows in
the coil in direction and the galvanometer
shows the deflection towards the left.
(ii) If the magnet is taken away from the
coil, the current again flows in the coil
but in the opposite direction and therefore
the pointer of the galvanometer deflects
towards the left side.
(iii) When the magnet is stationary, there is no deflection in the galvanometer. The pointer reads zero.

Note: If we stop the motion of the magnet, the pointer of the galvanometer comes to the zero position.
Thus, the current in the coil flows so long as the magnet is moving.

Conclusion:
(i) The galvanometer shows a deflection (i.e. current flow in the coil) only when there is relative motion
between the coil and the magnet.
(ii) The direction of deflection is reversed if the direction of motion of magnet is reversed.
(iii) The value of the current in the coil (i.e. deflection of the pointer) is increased by:
(a) increasing the speed of motion of the magnet or the coil.
(b) using strong magnets.
(c) increasing the area and number of turns in the coil.

When the magnet and coil are relatively at rest, the

total number of magnetic lines of force due to the
magnet passing through the coil (i.e. the magnetic
flux linked with the coil) remains constant,
therefore no e.m.f. is induced in the coil and the
galvanometer shows no deflection.
When there is relative motion between the coil and
magnet, the magnetic flux linked with coil changes.
If the coil is moved towards the magnet, the magnetic flux through the coil increases as shown in fig. Due to
change in magnetic flux linked with the coil, an e.m.f. is induced in the coil. This e.m.f. causes a current to
flow if the circuit of the coil is closed.

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 Note: The SI unit of e.m.f is volt.

FARADAY’S LAW OF ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION

It states that the rate of change of magnetic flux is directly proportional to the e.m.f induced in the coil.
Mathematically, it can be represented as,
E ∝dΦ/dt
Where, ‘E’ represents induced e.m.f and dΦ/dt represents rate of change of flux
Direction of Induced e.m.f:
The direction of induced e.m.f(and hence the direction of induced current) can be obtained by any of the rules:
(i) Fleming’s right hand rule (ii) Lenz’s law

(i) Fleming’s right hand rule: Stretch the thumb, middle

finger and the forefinger of your right hand mutually
perpendicular to each other as shown in figure.
If the forefinger indicated the direction of the magnetic field
and the thumb indicated the direction of motion of the
conductor, the middle finger will indicate the direction of
induced current.

(ii) Lenz’s law: It states that the rate of change of magnetic flux opposes the e.m.f induced in the coil. This
law gives us the direction of current induced in a circuit.

ELECTRIC GENERATOR
An electric generator is a device which convert mechanical energy into electrical energy using the principle
of electromagnetic induction. It is of two types:
(a) AC Generator or Dynamo:
When a coil (conductor) is rotated in a magnetic field,
the magnetic flux linked with it changes and therefore
an alternating e.m.f. is induced in the coil.

Construction:
(i) Field magnet: It is a strong horse shoe permanent
magnet. An electromagnet run by a DC source can also
be used for high power generators.
(ii) Armature: It is a soft iron core on which a coil
ABCD having a large number of turns of insulated
copper wire is wound. This armature (or coil) is rotated
rapidly in the magnetic field between the poles of the
magnet.
(iii) Slip rings: The ends of the armature (or the coil) are connected to two coaxial metallic slip rings S 1 and
S2 which rotate along with the coil.

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 (iv) Brushes: Two brushes B1 and B2 made of carbon, press against the slip rings S1 and S2 respectively.
The external circuit (i.e. load) is connected between the other ends of brushed. The brushed B1 and B2 do not
rotate along with the coil.

Working of an AC generator:
Let the coil ABCD be initially in the horizontal position, and is rotated in the anticlockwise direction. When
the coil is rotated anticlockwise, the arm AB moves downwards and the arm CD moves upwards. The coil
during this movement cuts the magnetic lines of force, and produces induced current in the coil.

B C C B

N Field S N Field S

A D D A
R1
R1
P P
B1 B1
R2 R2

Q B2 Q B2

(a) (b)

According to the Fleming’s right–hand rule, during this downward motion of the arm AB, the induced current
flows from B to A in the arm AB, and from D to C in the arm CD. The current so produced is taken out through
the two slip rings, and the carbon brushes.
After half the rotation (after rotating through 180º), the arms of the coil interchange their position; the arm AB
becomes the right arm and the arm CD becomes the left arm. Then, the arm CD starts moving downwards and
the arm AB upwards. During this half–rotation, the induced current flows from C to D in the arm CD, and
from A to B in the arm AB. The two slip rings also rotate with the coil. As a result, their polarities (+ and –
poles) keep changing at every half–rotation.
The current which changes its polarity after regular intervals of time is called alternating current (AC). So,
this electric generator produces alternating current (AC).

Frequency of the alternating current: Alternating current (AC) so produced has a definite frequency. This
frequency is equal to half the number of times the polarity changes in one second. In our country, the frequency
of the alternating current supplied by the power generation units is 50 cycles per second (or Hz). This means,
the alternating current (AC) produced in our country changes polarity 100times in one second.

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 (b) DC Generator
A DC generator stands for direct current electric generator. A DC generator produces direct current. A DC
generator is also called DC dynamo. A simple DC generator is shown in fig.

Construction: A simple DC generator consists of a coil of insulated copper wire. The coil is placed between
the two poles of a strong horseshoe magnet. In actual practice, a large number of turns of the insulated copper
wire are wound on a soft iron core. The two ends of the coil are connected to the two halves of a split ring
(R1, R2 called commutator). Two carbon brushes press against the two half–rings lightly. The current is taken
out through the brushes B1 and B2.

B C C B

N Field S N Field S

A D D A

B1 B2 B1 B2
R1 R2 R2 R1

P Q P Q

Working of a DC generator:
Let the coil ABCD be initially in the horizontal
position, and be rotated anticlockwise. When the coil
is rotated anticlockwise, the arm AB moves
downwards and the arm CD moves upwards.
The coil during this motion cuts the magnetic lines of
force and an induced current is produced in the coil.
According to Fleming’s right hand rule, during the
downward motion of the arm AB, the induced current
flows from B to A in the arm AB, and from D to C in
the arm CD. The current so produced is taken out
through the two half–split rings, and the carbon
brushes.

After half the rotation (rotation through 180º), the arms

of the coil interchanged their positions; the arm AB
comes to right and the arm CD to the left. Then the arm CD starts moving downwards, and the arm AB
upwards.
During this half–rotation, the induced current flows from C to D in the arm CD, and from A to B in the arm
AB.
The two half–split rings (R1 and R2) rotate with the coil and touch the two carbon brushed (B1, B2) one by
one. As a result, each carbon brush continues to have the same polarity, (+ or –). The brush B2 always remains
positive (+) terminal, and the brush B1 remains negative (–) terminal. The current so produced is called direct
current (DC).

DC generator differ from an AC generator: The basic design of AC and DC generators is similar. The two
generators differ only in the design of slip rings at the ends of the coil wire. An AC generator use two full
rings called slip rings, one at each end of the coil wire, while an DC generator has two half–rings (called split
rings) of a commutator.

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 DOMESTIC ELECTRIC CIRCUITS
In our homes, we receive supply of electric
power through a main supply (also called
mains), either supported through overhead
electric poles or by underground cables. One of
the wires in this supply, usually with red
insulation cover, is called live wire (or
positive). Another wire, with black insulation,
is called neutral wire (or negative). In our
country, the potential difference between the
two is 220 V. At the metre-board in the house,
these wires pass into an electricity meter
through a main fuse. Through the main switch
they are connected to the line wires in the house.
These wires supply electricity to separate circuits within the house. Often, two separate circuits are used, one
of 15 A current rating for appliances with higher power ratings such as geysers, air coolers, etc. The other
circuit is of 5 A current rating for bulbs, fans, etc. The earth wire, which has insulation of green colour, is
usually connected to a metal plate deep in the earth near the house.
This is used as a safety measure, especially for those appliances that have a metallic body, for example, electric
press, toaster, table fan, refrigerator, etc. The metallic body is connected to the earth wire, which provides a
low-resistance conducting path for the current. Thus, it ensures that any leakage of current to the metallic body
of the appliance keeps its potential to that of the earth, and the user may not get a severe electric shock.

EARTHING
Connecting the metallic body of a high powered electrical appliance (e.g. E E
L L
electric iron, refrigerator,oven, etc.) to the earth wire of domestic circuit, is N N
called ‘earthing’. Cable
In three pin plug, has three pins forming a triangle. (Red) L N (Black) (c) Inside the plug
The upper pin is thicker than the two lower pins. (fig.) E
(Green)
The pins are connected inside the body of the plug to the three different
coloured wires of a three–cored, wire cable [Fig.].
The colour code of the wires is green (Earth–E), Red (Live–L), Black or Brown (Neutral–N).

Benefits: Due to wear and tear with long use, the live wire inside the appliance becomes bare (uncovered)
and touches the body of the appliance. This contact raises the potential of the body to the huge potential of the
live wire. If we operate that appliance with bare foot, we will be getting a severe shock.
If the appliance is earthed, its body potential remains zero due to contact with the earth. Nothing is felt when
such an appliance is operated.
We may conclude that we save ourselves from severe electric shocks, by earthing our electrical appliances.

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 Over–Loading and Short–Circuiting
The current exceeds the limit under two situations: (i) over–loading (ii) short–circuiting
(i) Over–Loading: When high powered electric appliances like refrigerator, air conditioner and electric iron
are switched on simultaneously, total current through main wire may exceed the tolerance limit causing
damage and fire. This situation causes over–loading.

(ii) Short–Circuiting: Due to long use wear and tear or defective insulating material, the live and the
neutral wires may become bare at some points and come in direct contact. Due to zero resistance, a large
current is produced and a huge sparking is caused at the point of contact. It may cause damages and fire.
This situation is called short–circuiting

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 SUBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

1. When can an electric charge give rise to a magnetic field?

2. Draw a diagram showing the magnetic field lines due to a current–carrying straight wire.
3. Name the law which determines the direction of magnetic field round a current–carrying solenoid.
4. Name the rule by which the direction of a magnetic field inside a current–carrying solenoid is determined.
5. State two ways by which the strength of an electromagnet can be increased.
6. Differentiate between an electromagnet and a permanent magnet.
7. Which law determines the direction of force on a current–carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field?
8. How will the direction of force be changed, if the current is reversed in the conductor placed in a magnetic field?
9. State two factors on which the magnitude and direction of an induced emf depends.
10. A bar magnet is moved with the north pole towards a coil. At this face of the coil the induced current will be clockwise
or anticlockwise?
11. What will be the effect on the magnitude of induced current if the magnet moves faster towards the coil?
12. On what principle does an electric motor work?
13. Draw a diagram to show the magnetic field lines due to a current–carrying straight wire.
14. Draw a diagram to show the set-up of a current–carrying loop producing magnetic field and show the direction of the
magnetic field.
15. Describe an experiment to show that a magnetic field exerts a force on a current–carrying conductor.
16. Describe Fleming’s left–hand rule & Fleming’s right–hand rule.
17. Describe the construction and working of an electric motor with the help of a diagram.
18. What is the force on a current-carrying wire that is parallel to a magnetic field give reason for your answer.
19. Describe the construction and working of a DC generator.
20. What do you mean by short circuit and overloading? How does an electric fuse
help in both the cases?
21. In the simple electric motor of figure given below, the coil rotates anticlockwise as
seen by the eye from the position X when current flows in the coil. Is the current
flowing clockwise or anticlockwise around the coil when viewed from above?

22. Which way does the wire in the diagram below tend to move?

23. If the current in a wire is flowing in the vertically downward direction and a magnetic field is applied from west to east,
what is the direction of force on the wire?
24. Which way does the wire in the diagram below tend to move

25. A charged particle enters at right angles into a uniform magnetic field as shown. What should
be the nature of charge on the particle if it begins to move in a direction pointing vertically out of
the page due to its interaction with the magnetic field?

26. Distinguish between permanent magnets and electromagnets.

27. Explain different ways to induce current in a coil.
28. Distinguish between a generator and a motor.
29. List the properties of magnetic lines of force.
30. 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 the magnetic
field?
31. State faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction.
32. State the factors which are responsible for increasing the strength of solenoid?
33. A coil of insulated copper wire is connected to a galvanometer. What would happen if a bar magnet is:
(a) pushed into the coil
(b) withdrawn away from inside the coil
(c) held stationary inside the coil

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 COMPETITIVE EXAM BASED THEORY
Magnitude of magnetic field produced by a straight current-carrying conductor:
The magnitude of magnetic field (or strength of magnetic field) B produced by an infinitely long conductor in vacuum at a distance
r from it, it given by:

B= 0
2r
where, B = Magnetic field strength
I = Current flowing through the wire
 0 = Permeability of vacuum (a constant)
r = Distance from the conductor (where magnetic field is measured).
The unit of magnetic field ‘B’ is tesla which is denoted by the symbol T (1 tesla is equal to 1 Newton per ampere per meter). The
magnitude of permeability of vacuum  0 is 4  10 −7 tesla metre per ampere.

The magnitude of magnetic field B produced by a current-carrying circular wire at its centre is:
(i) directly proportional to the current I passing through the circular wire and
(ii) inversely proportional to the radius r of the circular wire.
1
i.e. B   and B 
r
0I
Magnetic field (B) =
2r
The above formula is applicable when there is only one turn of a circular wire. If we have circular coil having ‘N’ turns of wire,
then the magnetic field will become ‘N’ times. Thus, the magnetic field at the centre of a circular coil of N turns having radius r
and carrying current I is given by

N  0  I
B=
2r

Magnetic field produced by a circular coil carrying current is directly proportional to both, number of turn (N) and current (I), but
inversely proportional to its radius (r). Thus, the strength of magnetic field produced by a current carrying circular coil can be
increased by the following ways:
(i) increasing the number of turns of wire in the coil
(ii) increasing the current following through the coil
(iii) decreasing the radius of the coil.

Magnitude of Force on a Current Carrying conductor in Magnetic Field:

Experimentally it is found that the magnitude of the force acting on a current carrying conductor kept in a magnetic field in direction
perpendicular to it, depends on the following factors:
(i) The force F is directly proportional to the current flowing in the conductor, i.e. F  I.
(ii) The force F is directly proportional to the intensity of magnetic field, i.e. F  B.
(iii) The force F is directly proportional to the length of the conductor (inside the magnetic field), i.e. F  
Combining these we get,
F  IB  Or F=KIB 
Where K is constant whose value depends on the choice of units. In S.I. units K = 1 and the unit of magnetic field is tesla (T). 1
tesla is equal to 1 Newton ampere-1 metre-1 or 1 Weber metre-2.
Force is directly proportional to sin  where  is the angle between current and the direction of magnetic field. i.e. F  sin  .
Combining all we have,
F = BI  sin 

Special cases:
(i) When  = 00 , or 180 0 , sin  = 0
 F=0
Force on a current - carrying conductor placed parallel or ant parallel to field is zero.
(ii) If  = 90 0 , sin 900 = 1, F = B   is the maximum force. Force experienced by the conductor is maximum when placed
perpendicular to magnetic field.

Force on a moving charge in an magnetic field:

A moving charge in a magnetic field (direction of motion not parallel to the field direction) experiences a force called Lorentz force.
Since current is due to flow of charge, therefore a conductor carrying current will experience a force.
The force acting on a current - carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field is:
F = B 
Now, if a charge Q flows in time t then the current

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 Q
= .
t
Q
So, writing in place of I in the above equation, we get:
t
BQ
F=
t
Suppose the particle carrying the charge Q travels a length  in time t. Then the velocity v of the charged particle will be equal to
 
. Writing v in place of in the above equation, we get:
t t
Force on moving charge,
F=B×q×v
Where,
B = Magnitude of magnetic field,
Q = Charge on the moving particle and
v = Velocity of the charged particle (in metre per second).

Lenz’s law
It states that the rate of change of magnetic flux opposes the e.m.f induced in the coil. This law gives
us the direction of current induced in a circuit.
where, ‘E’ represents induced e.m.f;
‘dΦ/dt’ represents rate of change of flux, and
‘N’ represents the number of turns in the coil
Negative sign indicates the opposition offered by rate of change of flux to the e.m.f induced

COMPETITIVE EXAM BASED QUESTIONS

1. Magnetic field inside the solenoid is ______.
(a) radial (b) uniform (c) Both (1) and (2) (d) circular

2. In an AC generator, maximum number of lines of force pass through the coil when the angle between the plane of coil
and lines of force is ______.
(a) 0o (b) 60o (c) 30o (d) 90o

3. The right-hand thumb rule is used to find

(a) force on a charged particle passing through the magnetic field.
(b) force on a current carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field.
(c) direction of induced current.
(d) direction of B around a current carrying straight conductor.

4. M.R.I. is based on ………. [NTSE]

(a) Magnetic effect of electric current (b) Heating effect of electric current
(c) Chemical effect of electric current (d) Conduction of electric current

5. The direction of magnetic lines of force produced by passing a direct current in a conductor is :
(a) perpendicular to the line conductor and coming outwards
(b) parallel to conductor
(c) surrounding the conductor and of circular nature
(d) perpendicular to the conductor and coming inwards

6. A straight current carrying conductor is kept along the axis of circular loop carrying current. The force exerted by the
straight conductor on the loop is [NSO]
(a) Perpendicular to the plane of the loop
(b) In the plane of the loop, away from the center
(c) In the plane of the loop, towards the center
(d) Zero

7. A magnet is dropped freely towards a loop of copper wire. The acceleration of magnet will be:
(a) equal to g (b) greater than g (c) less than g (d) zero

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 8. Deflection in the galvanometer:
(a) towards right (b) towards left
(c) no defection (d) None of these

9. A wire carrying a current of 5 A is placed perpendicular to a magnetic

induction of 2 T. The force on each centimeter of the wire is:
(a) 0.1 N (b) 10 N (c) 100 N (d) 1 N

10. Force acting on a stationary charge Q in the magnetic field B is

(a) B Q V (b) BV/Q (c) zero (d) BQ/V

4
11. A proton is moving with velocity 10 m / s parallel to the magnetic field of intensity 5 tesla. The force on the proton is
(a) 8 × 10–15N (b) 104N (c) 1.6 × 10–19N (d) zero
12. A moving charge can produce
(a) Electric field (b) Magnetic field (c) Both (a) and (b) (d) None of these

13. In an electric motor, the direction of current in the coil changes once in each:
(a) two rotation (b) one rotation (c) half rotation (d) one-fourth rotation

14. The force experienced by a current-carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field is the largest when the angle between
the conductor and the magnetic field is:
(a) 45o (b) 60o (c) 90o (d) 180o

15. An electron beam enters a magnetic field at right angles to it. The direction of force acting
on the electron beam will be:
(a) to the left (b) to the right
(c)into the page (d) out of the page

16. The force exerted on a current-carrying wire placed in a magnetic field is zero when the
angle between the wire and the direction of magnetic field is:
(a) 45o (b) 60o (c) 90o (d)
o
180

17. A current flows in a wire running between the S and N poles of a magnet lying
horizontally as shown in figure below. The force on the wire due to the magnet is
directed:
(a) from N to S (b) from S to N
(c) vertically downwards (d) vertically upwards

18. An electric motor is a device which transforms:

(a) mechanical energy to electrical energy (b) heat energy to electrical energy
(c) electrical energy to heat energy only (d) electrical energy to mechanical energy

19. A magnetic field exerts no force on:

(a) an electric charge moving perpendicular to its direction (b) an unmagnetised iron bar
(c) stationary electric charge (d) a magnet

20. A small conducting rod of length ‘l’, moves with a uniform velocity ‘v’ in a uniform magnetic field ‘B’ as shown in figure.
[NSO]
(a) The end X of the rod becomes positively charged
(b) The end Y of the rod becomes negatively charged
(c) The entire rod is unerringly charged
(d) The rod becomes hot due to joule heating

21. A horizontal wire carries a current as shown in Figure below between magnetic poles N and S.
Is the direction of the force on the wire due to the magnet :
(a) in the direction of the current (b) vertically downwards (c) opposite to the current direction (d) Vertically upwards

22. A rectangular coil of copper wire is rotated in a magnetic field. The direction of induced current changes one in each:
(a) two revolutions (b) one revolution (c) half revolution (d) one-fourth revolution

23. The phenomenon of electromagnetic induction is:

(a) the process of charging a body
(b) the process of generating magnetic field due to a current passing through a coil
(c) producing induced current in a coil due to relative motion between a magnet and the coil.
(d) the process of rotating a coil of an electric motor.

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 24. The device used for producing electric current is called:
(a) generator (b) galvanometer (c) ammeter (d) motor

25. Current is passed through the circular loop as shown in figure. What is the direction of magnetic field
at X and Y?[NSO]
(a) Clockwise at both X and Y (b) Anticlockwise at both X and Y
(c) Clockwise at X and anticlockwise at Y (d) Clockwise at Y and anticlockwise at X

26. The essential difference between an AC generator and a DC generator is that:

(a) AC generator has an electromagnet while a DC generator has permanent magnet
(b) DC generator will generate a higher voltage
(c) AC generator will generate a higher voltage
(d) AC generator has slip rings while the DC generator has a commutator.

27. Which one of the following changes will increase emf (or voltage) in a simple generator except:
(a) increasing the number of turns in the armature coil (b) winding the coil on a soft iron armature
(c) increasing the size of the gap in which the armature turns (d) increasing the speed of rotation

28. A dc generator is based on the principle of:

(a) electrochemical induction (b) electromagnetic induction
(c) magnetic effect of current (d) heating effect of current

29. A straight wire is placed between two poles of a magnet as shown in figure. If an alternating current passing through a
wire then wire will: [NSO]
(a) Move into the page only (b) Move out of the page only (c) Move out and into the page (d) Remain stationary

30. A wire is placed between the magnetic poles as shown in figure. [NSO]
In which direction does a force act on the wire?
(a) Vertically downward on the wire (b) Vertically upward on the wire
(c) Towards east to west (d) Towards west to east

31. An induced current is produced when a magnet is moved into a coil. The magnitude of
induced current does not depend on:
(a) the speed with which the magnet is moved (b) the number of turns of the coil
(c) the resistivity of the wire of the coil (d) the strength of the magnet

32. Consider the arrangements shown in figure in which the North pole of a magnet is moved
away from a thick conducting loop containing capacitor. Then excess positive charge will arrive
on [NSO]
(a) Plate a (b) Plate b (c) Both plates a & b (d) NOT

33. When a bar magnet is broken into two pieces:

(a) we will have a single pole on each piece (b) each piece will have two unlike poles
(c) each piece will have two like poles (d) None of these

34. Which of the following determine the direction of magnetic field due to a current carrying conductor?
(a) Faraday’s laws of electromagnetic induction. (b) Fleming’s left-hand rule.
(c) Lenz’s law (d) Maxwell’s cork screw rule.

35. A cylindrical bar magnet is kept along the axis of a circular coil. If the magnet is rotated about
its axis, then:
(a) a current will be induced in the coil (b) no current will be induced in the coil
(c) only emf will be induced in the coil (d) anemf and current both will be induced in the
coil

36. Lenz’s law:

(a) is the same as the right palm rule (b) determines the magnitude of an induced emf
(c) bears no relation to the law of conservation of energy (d) is useful is deciding about the direction of an induced emf

37. Lenz’s law is a consequence of the law of conservations of:

(a) energy (b) momentum (c) angular momentum (d) charge and mass

38. Read the passage carefully and answer the following questions [NSO]
In the given diagram, when the magnet is pushed into the solenoid, the pointer of the galvanometer deflects slightly to the
left.

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 (i) Which of the following changes would cause the pointer to deflect through a larger angle?
(a) Move the magnet faster
(b) Move the magnet away from the solenoid
(c) Unwind some the turns of the solenoid
(d) Keep the magnet stationary

(ii) Which of the following would produce a deflection of the pointer

towards the right?
(a) Move the solenoid towards the magnet
(b) Move the solenoid away from the magnet
(c) Move the magnet faster into the solenoid
(d) By placing the magnet above the coil

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