Magnetic fields
Electromagnetic Induction
Spring 2025
Magnetism
• Materials like magnetite can attract iron pieces.
• These materials are called magnets.
• Magnets generate a magnetic field around them.
• Isolated magnetic charges (magnetic monopoles) are very
rare or nonexistent.
• A stationary electric charge creates an electric field.
• A moving electric charge also produces a magnetic field.
Magnetic Fields
• Bar magnets have two poles: North (N) and South (S).
• Like poles repel, unlike poles attract.
• Magnetic poles are analogous to electric charges, but are
fundamentally different.
• A compass needle (small bar magnet) aligns in the north–south
direction.
• This is because Earth itself acts as a large magnet.
• Magnetic fields around Earth guide the orientation of the needle.
Magnetic Fields
• Analogous to electric fields created by charges.
• A magnetic field is generated around magnets.
• It has magnitude and direction, just like an electric field.
• The needle of a compass aligns with the magnetic field.
• The direction from the South to North pole of the needle
shows the field direction.
• Useful for detecting the presence and direction of magnetic fields.
Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields
• In 1819, Hans Christian Ørsted observed compass needle deflection near a wire
with current.
• This experiment demonstrated that electric currents create magnetic fields.
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• This was a foundational discovery in electromagnetism.
• Magnetic field, denoted as B, is a vector quantity.
• It has both magnitude and direction.
• Direction is determined by the alignment of a compass needle.
Magnetic Field Lines
• The imaginary curves whose tangents give the magnetic i eld are
called magnetic field lines.
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The Direction of Magnetic Fields
Example
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The Magnetic Field of a Current
The Magnetic Field of a Solenoid
The magnetic force on a moving charge
The magnetic force on a moving charge
The magnetic force on a moving charge
The magnetic force on a moving charge
The magnetic force on a moving charge
The magnetic force on a moving charge
Example
Example
The magnetic force on a current-carrying wire
The force between two current-carrying wires
The magnetic force on a current-carrying wire
Motion of charges in magnetic fields
Motion of charges in magnetic fields
Example
Work done and magnetic forces
Electromagnetic induction
• This section deals with Faraday’s law, which dictates how a
changing magnetic flux through a loop induces an emf in the
loop.
• A related law, Lenz’s law, determines the direction of this emf.
• The principles of electromagnetic induction are the result of
ingenious experimenting by the English physicist Michael
Faraday.
Magnetic flux and magnetic flux linkage
• Coils of wire wrapped around an iron ring.
• Current passed through the left coil using a switch and battery.
• Right coil connected to a galvanometer (current detector).
• No current observed unless the switch was opened or closed.
Magnetic flux and magnetic flux linkage
• No current in the right coil when switch was steadily on.
• A small current appeared only when the switch was opened or
closed.
• This showed that a changing magnetic field causes current —
not a steady one.
Induced Current by Moving Magnet
• A magnet moving into/out of a coil induces current.
• No current if the magnet is stationary relative to the coil.
• Relative motion is essential for induction.
• Faster motion or stronger magnets → more current.
When Does Induced Current Increase?
• Higher relative speed between magnet and coil.
• Stronger magnets.
• More turns in the coil.
• Larger loop area.
• Magnet moves perpendicular to the plane of the loop.
Magnetic Flux
Magnetic Flux
Faraday’s law
• A magnetic field can create current if its flux linkage changes over
time.
• A stationary magnet near a coil = no current.
• A moving magnet or changing field = current is induced.
• Greater change → stronger induced current.
• The rate of change of magnetic flux linkage causes induction.
• If the magnet moves, or the number of coil turns increases, the flux
linkage changes.
• More change in less time = stronger emf (voltage).
Faraday’s law
Faraday’s law
Example
Faraday’s law
Example
Lenz’s law
Lenz’s law
Example
Alternating current and The ac generator
Alternating current and The ac generator
Alternating Voltage
Alternating Voltage
Alternating Voltage
Alternating Current
Power in ac circuits
Power in ac circuits
Example
The transformer
Transformers and power transmission
Transformers and power transmission
Example
Root mean square (rms) quantities
• It would be convenient to define an average voltage, average current and
average power.
Example
Example
