CONCEPT: Magnetic Effect of Electric Current

Magnetic effect: The term ‘magnetic effect of the electric current’ means that ‘an electric
current lowing in a wire produces a magnetic ield around it’. That is, electric current can
produce magnetism.

Magnet:
A magnet is an object which attracts pieces of iron, steel, nickel, and cobalt. Magnets come
in various shapes and sizes depending on their intended use. One of the most common
magnets is the bar magnet. A bar magnet is a long, rectangular bar of a uniform cross-
section that attracts pieces of iron, steel, nickel, and cobalt.

Magnetic poles:
A magnet has two poles near its ends: the north pole and the south pole. The end of a
freely suspended magnet (or a freely pivoted magnet) that points toward the geographic
north is called the magnet's north pole or north-seeking pole. The end of a freely
suspended magnet (or freely pivoted magnet) that points toward the geographic south is
called the magnet's south pole or south-seeking pole. It has been found by experiments
that like poles repel each other whereas unlike magnetic poles attract each other.

Magnetic ield:
The space surrounding a magnet in which magnetic force is exerted is called a magnetic
ield. The magnetic ield has both, magnitude, and direction.
The direction of the magnetic ield at a point is the direction of the resultant force acting
on a hypothetical north pole placed at that point.

Magnetic ield lines:

The path traced by a north magnetic pole free to move under the in luence of a
magnetic ield is called a magnetic ield line.

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(OR) The magnetic ield lines are the lines drawn in a magnetic ield along which a
north magnetic pole would move. The magnetic ield lines are also known as magnetic
lines of force.
Properties of magnetic ield lines:
1. The magnetic ield lines originate from the north pole of a magnet and end at
its south pole outside the magnet.
2. The magnetic ield lines are in closed curves
3. The magnetic ield lines do not intersect (or cross) one another. (If they did, it
would mean that at the point of intersection, the compass needle would point
toward two directions, which is not possible).
4. The magnetic ield lines are crowded near the poles.
Question and answers:
1. What exactly is the magnetic effect of electric current?
Ans: The term ‘magnetic effect of the electric current’ means that ‘an electric
current lowing in a wire produces a magnetic ield around it’.
2. What are north-seeking poles and south-seeking poles?
Ans: The end of a freely suspended magnet (or a freely pivoted magnet) that
points toward the geographic north is called the magnet's north pole or north-
seeking pole. The end of a freely suspended magnet (or freely pivoted magnet)
that points toward the geographic south is called the magnet's south pole or
south-seeking pole.
3. De ine magnetic ield.
Ans: The space surrounding a magnet in which magnetic force is exerted is called
a magnetic ield.
4. Draw a diagram for a)magnetic ield lines of bar magnet b) magnetic ield lines
between unlike poles c) magnetic ield lines between like poles.

5. De ine magnetic ield lines.

Ans: The path traced by a north magnetic pole free to move under the in luence
of a magnetic ield is called a magnetic ield line.
(OR) The magnetic ield lines are the lines drawn in a magnetic ield along which
a north magnetic pole would move. The magnetic ield lines are also known as
magnetic lines of force.

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 6. What are the properties of the Properties of magnetic ield lines?
Ans: 1. The magnetic ield lines originate from the north pole of a magnet and end
at its south pole outside the magnet.
2. The magnetic ield lines are in closed curves
3. The magnetic ield lines do not intersect (or cross) one another. (If they did, it
would mean that at the point of intersection, the compass needle would point
toward two directions, which is not possible).
4. The magnetic ield lines are crowded near the poles.
7. Why are no two ields found to cross each other?
Ans: The magnetic ield lines do not intersect (or cross) one another. If they did, it
would mean that at the point of intersection, the compass needle would point in
two directions, which is not possible.

Magnetic Field Pattern due to Straight Current-Carrying Conductor (Straight

Current-Carrying Wire)
It has been shown by experiments that the
magnitude of the magnetic ield produced by
a straight current-carrying wire at a given
point is :
(i) directly proportional to the current
passing in the wire, and
(ii) inversely proportional to the distance of
that point from the wire.
So, the greater the current in the wire, the
stronger will be the magnetic ield produced.
And greater the distance of a point from the
current-carrying wire, the weaker the
magnetic ield produced at that point. As we
move away from a current straight wire, the
concentric circles around it representing
magnetic ield lines, become larger and larger indicating the decreasing strength of the
magnetic ield.
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 the current. Then our ingers will
wrap around the conductor in the direction of the ield lines of the magnetic ield.

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Magnetic Field Pattern due to a Circular Loop (or
Circular Wire) Carrying Current:
The magnitude of the magnetic ield produced by a
current-carrying circular loop (or circular wire) at its
center is :
(i) directly proportional to the current passing through
the circular loop (or circular wire),
(ii) inversely proportional to the radius of the circular loop
(or circular wire).

Magnetic eld lines of

the eld produced by a
current-carrying
circular loop.

According to the Clock face rule, look at one face of a circular wire (or coil)
through which a current is passing, it is observed that if the direction of the
current in the front face of a circular wire is clockwise, then the direction of the
current in the back face of this circular wire will be anticlockwise (and vice
versa).

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 Magnetic Field due to a Current in a Solenoid:
The solenoid is a long coil containing a large number of close turns of insulated
copper wire.
 The magnetic ield produced by a
current-carrying solenoid is similar to
the magnetic ield produced by a bar
magnet.
 The magnetic ield lines inside the
solenoid are in the form of parallel
straight lines. This indicates that the
strength of the magnetic ield is the
same at all the points inside the
solenoid. If the strength of a magnetic
ield is just the same in a region, it is said to be a uniform magnetic ield.
Thus, the magnetic ield is uniform inside a current-carrying solenoid.
 The strong magnetic ield produced inside a current-carrying solenoid can
be used to magnetize a piece of magnetic material like soft iron, when
placed inside the solenoid. The magnet thus formed is called an
electromagnet. So, a solenoid is used for making electromagnets.
 The strength of the magnetic ield produced by a current-carrying solenoid
depends on (i) The number of turns in the solenoid. The larger the number
of turns in the solenoid, the greater will be the magnetism produced.
(ii) The strength of current in the solenoid. The larger the current passed
through the solenoid, the stronger will be the magnetic ield produced.
(iii) The nature of the “core material” used in making solenoids. The use of
a soft iron rod as a core in a solenoid produces the strongest magnetism.
Factors Affecting the Strength of an Electromagnet:
o The strength of an electromagnet depends on (i) The number of turns
in the coil. If we increase the number of turns in the coil, the strength
of the electromagnet increases. (ii) The current lowing in the coil. If
the current in the coil is increased, the strength of the electromagnet
increases. (iii) The length of the air gap between its poles.
Question and answers:
1. Explain the observations made in the experiments on the amount of the magnetic
ield created by a straight current-carrying wire.
Ans: (i) Magnetic ield is directly proportional to the current passing in the wire,
(ii) Magnetic ield is inversely proportional to the distance of that point from the
wire. So, the greater the current in the wire, the stronger will be the magnetic
ield produced.

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2. Mention the difference between a Bar magnet (or Permanent magnet) and an
Electromagnet.
Ans:
Bar magnet (or Permanent magnet) Electromagnet
The bar magnet is a permanent An electromagnet is a temporary
magnet. magnet. Its magnetism is only for the
duration of current passing through
it. So, the magnetism of an
electromagnet can be switched on or
switched off as desired.
A permanent magnet produces a An electromagnet can produce very
comparatively weak force of strong magnetic force.
attraction.
The (north-south) polarity of a The polarity of an electromagnet can
permanent magnet is ixed and be changed by changing the direction
cannot be changed. of current in its coil.

3. Draw the pattern of the magnetic ield due to the Straight Current-Carrying
Conductor.

FORCE ON A CURRENT-CARRYING CONDUCTOR IN A MAGNETIC FIELD:

From the activity, we conclude that,
 when a current-carrying conductor is placed in a
magnetic ield, a mechanical force is exerted on
the conductor which makes it move.
 The direction of force acting on a current-
carrying wire placed in a magnetic ield is,
(i) perpendicular to the direction of current,
and
(ii) perpendicular to the direction of the
magnetic ield.

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 In other words, we can say that the current, the magnetic ield, and the
force, are at right angles to one another.
It should be noted that the maximum force is exerted on a current-carrying
conductor only when it is perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic
ield. No force acts on a current-carrying conductor when it is parallel to the
magnetic ield.
 The direction of force on a current-carrying conductor placed in a magnetic
ield can be reversed by reversing the direction of current lowing in the
conductor.
 If the direction of current in a conductor and the direction of the magnetic
ield (in which it is placed), are known, then the direction of force acting on
the current-carrying conductor can be found out by using Fleming’s left-hand
rule.
Fleming’s left-hand rule:

Stretch the thumb, fore inger, and middle inger of our left hand such that
they are mutually perpendicular. If the irst inger points in the direction of
the magnetic ield and the second inger in the direction of current, then the
thumb will point in the direction of motion or the force acting on the
conductor.
Direct Current and Alternating Current:
Direct Current: If the current lows in one direction only, it is called a
direct current D.C. (or d.c.).
 The current that we get from a cell or a battery is a direct current because it
always lows in the same direction. The positive (+) and negative (–)
polarity of a direct current is ixed.
 Sources of direct current (or d.c.) are dry cell, dry cell battery, car battery
and d.c. generator.
Alternating Current: If the current reverses direction after equal intervals
of time, it is called alternating current A.C. (or a.c.).

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  Most of the power stations in India generate alternating current. The
alternating current produced in India reverses its direction every 1/100
second.
 Thus, the positive (+) and negative (–) polarity of an alternating current is
not ixed. Sources that produce alternating current (or a.c.) are powerhouse
generators, car alternators, and bicycle dynamos.
Advantages of alternating current over direct current:
 Alternating current can be transmitted over long distances without much
loss of electrical energy.
 Both a.c. and d.c. can be used for lighting and heating purposes. But radios
and televisions, etc., need a d.c. supply. The radios and televisions have a
special device inside them which changes the a.c. supplied to them into d.c.
 AC is less expensive and easy to generate than DC.
Question and answers:
1. What are the advantages of alternating current over direct current?
Ans: Alternating current can be transmitted over long distances without
much loss of electrical energy.
(i) Both a.c. and d.c. can be used for lighting and heating purposes. But
radios and televisions, etc., need a d.c. supply. The radios and televisions
have a special device inside them which changes the a.c. supplied to them
into d.c.
(ii) AC is less expensive and easier to generate than DC.
2. What are the disadvantages of direct current?
Ans: A major portion of the electricity is already lost and wasted in the
form of heat which will cause loss.
3. What is alternating current and direct current?
Ans: If the current reverses direction after equal intervals of time, it is
called alternating current A.C. (or a.c.).
If the current lows in one direction only, it is called a direct current D.C. (or
d.c.).
4. What are the sources of direct current?
Ans: Sources of direct current (or d.c.) are dry cell, dry cell battery, car
battery and d.c. generator.
5. State Fleming’s left hand rule.
Ans: Stretch the thumb, fore inger, and middle inger of our left hand such
that they are mutually perpendicular. If the irst inger points in the
direction of the magnetic ield and the second inger in the direction of
current, then the thumb will point in the direction of motion or the force
acting on the conductor.

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 6. Explain the observations made in the experiments on the amount of the
magnetic ield created by a force on a current-carrying conductor in a
magnetic ield.
Ans: The direction of force acting on a current-carrying wire placed in a
magnetic ield is,
(i) perpendicular to the direction of current, and
(ii) perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic ield.
(iii) When a current-carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic ield, a
mechanical force is exerted on the conductor which makes it move.
(iv) The maximum force is exerted on a current-carrying conductor only
when it is perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic ield.
(v) No force acts on a current-carrying conductor when it is parallel to the
magnetic ield.
(vi) The direction of force on a current-carrying conductor placed in a
magnetic ield can be reversed by reversing the direction of current lowing
in the conductor.
Domestic electric circuits (or domestic wiring):

 The wires 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.
An extremely large current can low in domestic wiring under two
circumstances: short-circuiting and overloading.
(i) Short-Circuiting: If the plastic insulation of the live wire and the neutral wire
gets torn, then the two wires touch each other. The touching of the live wire
and neutral wire directly is known as a short circuit. When the two wires
touch each other, the resistance of the circuit so formed is very, very small. Since
the resistance is very small, the current lowing through the wires becomes very

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large and heats the wires to a dangerously high temperature, and a ire may be
started.
(ii) Overloading: The current lowing in domestic wiring at a particular time
depends on the power ratings of the appliances being used. If too many electrical
appliances of high power rating (like electric iron, water heater, air conditioner,
etc.,) are switched on at the same time, they draw an extremely large current from
the circuit. This is known as overloading the circuit. Overloading can also occur
if too many appliances are connected to a single socket.
Fuse:
 A fuse is a safety device having a short length of a thin, tin-plated copper
wire having a low melting point, which melts and breaks the circuit if the
current exceeds a safe value.
 The thickness and length of the fuse wire depend on the maximum current
allowed through the circuit.
 An electric fuse works on the heating effect of current.
 A fuse wire is connected in series in the electric circuits.
Applications of fuse:
 It prevents short circuits.
 It prevents the excess current from lowing into the circuit and therefore
prevents the appliances from getting damaged.
Question and answers:
1. What are the applications of fuse?
Ans: It prevents short circuits.
It prevents the excess current from lowing into the circuit and therefore
prevents the appliances from getting damaged.
2. Why fuse is used in electric appliances?
Ans: A fuse is a safety device having a short length of a thin, tin-plated
copper wire having a low melting point, which melts and breaks the circuit
if the current exceeds a safe value.
3. What is overloading?
Ans: Overloading can occur if too many appliances are connected to a single
socket.
4. What is Short-Circuit?
Ans: The touching of the live wire and neutral wire directly is known as a
short circuit.
5. What is the disadvantage of a Short circuit?
Ans: When the two wires touch each other, the resistance of the circuit so
formed is very, very small. Since the resistance is very small, the current

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 lowing through the wires becomes very large and heats the wires to a
dangerously high temperature, and a ire may be started.
6. What is the use of red insulation and black insulation wire in electric
circuits?
Ans: The wires with red insulation cover are called live wires (or positive).
Another wire, with black insulation, is called neutral wire (or negative).
7. What is the value of the potential difference in India?
Ans: In our country, the potential difference between the two is 220 V.
8. What are the two most essential circumstances under which a considerable
amount of current lows?
Ans: An extremely large current can low in domestic wiring under two
circumstances (i)Short-circuiting and (ii) Overloading.
9. What is the value of the A.C. frequency in India?
Ans: The A.C. frequency in India is 50 Hz.
10. 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.
Ans: Now, Power, P = 2 kW
= 2 × 1000 W
= 2000 W
The potential difference or Voltage, V = 220 V
And, Current drawn, I =?
Now, Power, P = V × I
So, 2000 = 220 × I And Current drawn, I = 2000/220 = 9 A.
11. A circuit has a fuse of 5 A. What is the maximum number of 100 W (220 V)
bulbs that can be safely used in the circuit?
Ans: Suppose x bulbs can be used safely.
Now, the Power of 1 bulb = 100 W
So, Power of x bulbs,
P = 100 × x watts
Potential difference, V = 220 volts, Current, I = 5 amperes
Now, Power, P = V × I
100 × x = 220 × 5
x = 11
Thus, a maximum number of 11 bulbs can be used.
12. Name two safety measures commonly used in domestic electric circuits and
appliances.
Ans: (i) Provision of electric fuse.
(ii) Earthing of metal bodies of electrical appliances.

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