ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I would like to extend my sincere and heartfelt obligation towards all those who have helped
me in making this project. Without their active guidance, help, cooperation and
encouragement, I would not have been able to present the project on time.

I am extremely thankful and pay my gratitude to my teacher Mr.________ for his valuable
guidance and support for completion of this project.

I extend my gratitude to my Principal Dr. Wasi Khan for the moral support extended during
the tenure of the project.

Vishesh Mishra

MAGNETIC EFFECT OF CURRENT AND MAGNETISM

INDEX

2. Introduction & Objective

3. Magnetic Effect of Current:
Oersted's experiment
4. Biot-Savart Law and its
Application
5. Magnetic Field due to a Current-carrying Conductor
6.Rules to Determine the Direction of the Developed Magnetic Field
7. Ampere’s Circuital Law and its Applications
8. Motion of a Charged Particle in a
Magnetic Field
9. Lorentz Force
10. Torque on a Current Loop in a
Uniform Magnetic Field
11. Electromagnets and their
Applications
12. Earth’s Magnetism and its
Elements
13. Conclusion
14. Bibliography

INTRODUCTION

Magnetism and electricity are two sides of the same coin, and their interrelation forms the
foundation of the field known as electromagnetism. The magnetic effect of current,
discovered by Hans Christian Oersted in 1820, revolutionised our understanding of
magnetism and led to the development of numerous technologies that shape modern life.

The discovery that a current-carrying conductor produces a magnetic field opened the doors
to various applications such as electromagnets, electric motors, transformers, and
generators. In addition, magnetism is a naturally occurring phenomenon, exhibited by
materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt, and plays a crucial role in the behaviour of the Earth’s
magnetic field, which is vital for navigation and protection from cosmic radiation.

This project aims to explore the magnetic effects produced by electric current and delve into
the theoretical and practical aspects of magnetism. We will also examine the key laws
governing magnetic fields and their applications, particularly focusing on the Biot-Savart
Law, Ampere’s Circuital Law, Lorentz Force, and the behaviour of charged particles in
magnetic fields.

Objective :

- To study the magnetic effects of electric current and the behaviour of current-carrying
conductors in magnetic fields.
- To explore key laws like Biot-Savart Law, Ampere’s Circuital Law, and Lorentz Force, and
understand their applications.
- To investigate the real-world applications of electromagnets and Earth’s magnetic field.

MAGNETIC EFFECT OF CURRENT:

OERSTED'S EXPERIMENT

In 1820, Hans Christian Oersted performed a groundbreaking experiment that demonstrated

the link between electricity and magnetism. His experiment showed that a current-carrying
wire creates a magnetic field, which can influence a nearby compass needle.

Oersted’s Experiment :

Oersted placed a compass needle near a current-carrying wire. When the current was
switched on, the needle deflected, indicating the presence of a magnetic field around the
wire. The direction of deflection reversed when the direction of current was reversed.

Key Findings from Oersted’s Experiment :

1. An electric current produces a magnetic field around the conductor.

2. The direction of the magnetic field depends on the direction of current.
3. The magnetic field strength decreases with distance from the wire.

Oersted’s discovery laid the foundation for the study of electromagnetism, linking electric
currents to magnetic fields.

BIOT-SAVART LAW AND ITS APPLICATION

The Biot-Savart Law provides a quantitative description of the magnetic field produced by a
small current element. It is analogous to Coulomb’s Law in electrostatics.

Biot-Savart Law :

The magnetic field dB at a point due to a small current element Idl is given by:

dB= μο I(dl×r)/ 4π r³

Where:
- dB is the magnetic field produced by the current element.
- I is the current in the element.
- dl is the length of the current-carrying wire element.
- r is the distance between the current element and the point where the magnetic field is
being calculated.
- μο is the permeability of free space.

Application of Biot-Savart Law :

Magnetic Field due to a Circular Loop : The Biot-Savart Law is often used to calculate the
magnetic field at the center of a circular current-carrying loop, which is crucial in
understanding the behavior of solenoids and toroids.

For a circular loop of radius R carrying a current I, the magnetic field at the center of the loop
is:

B = μοI /2R

MAGNETIC FIELD DUE TO A CURRENT-CARRYING CONDUCTOR

The magnetic field around a current-carrying conductor can be calculated using the
right-hand thumb rule. The magnetic field lines form concentric circles around the wire.

Magnetic Field due to a Straight Conductor:

For a straight current-carrying conductor, the magnetic field B at a distance r from the
conductor carrying current I is given by:

B= μοI/ 2πr

The strength of the magnetic field decreases as the distance from the conductor increases.

Magnetic field due to circular loop :

For a circular loop, the magnetic field at the center is:

 B =μοI/2R

Where R is the radius of the loop and I is the current.

RULES TO DETERMINE THE DIRECTION OF THE DEVELOPED MAGNETIC FIELD

When current flows through a conductor, it generates a magnetic field around it. The
direction of this magnetic field can be determined using several rules. These rules are
essential for visualising the behaviour of the magnetic field and understanding how it
interacts with other magnetic fields.

Right-hand Thumb Rule:

Also known as Maxwell’s Corkscrew Rule, this rule helps determine the direction of the
magnetic field around a straight current-carrying conductor.

-Rule : If you hold the conductor in your right hand such that your thumb points in the
direction of the current, then the curled fingers around the conductor will point in the direction
of the magnetic field lines.

The magnetic field forms concentric circles around the conductor. The strength of the
magnetic field decreases as the distance from the conductor increases.

Fleming’s Left-hand Rule:

Fleming’s Left-hand Rule is used to determine the direction of force acting on a

current-carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field.

- Rule : If the thumb, forefinger, and middle finger of your left hand are held mutually
perpendicular, with the forefinger indicating the direction of the magnetic field, the middle
finger indicating the direction of current, then the thumb will point in the direction of the force
(motion) acting on the conductor.

This rule is primarily used to predict the behaviour of electric motors and other devices
where a current-carrying conductor moves in a magnetic field.

Maxwell’s Right-hand Screw Rule:

Ampere’s Right-hand Screw Rule is used for determining the direction of the magnetic field
in a current loop or coil.

- Rule : Imagine turning a right-handed screw in the direction of the current in the loop or
solenoid. The direction in which the screw moves forward will indicate the direction of the
magnetic field inside the loop or solenoid.
 AMPERE’S CIRCUITAL LAW AND ITS APPLICATIONS

Ampere’s Circuital Law relates the total magnetic field around a closed loop to the total
current passing through the loop. Mathematically, it is given as:

Where:
- B is the magnetic field.
- dl is the infinitesimal length element of the loop.
- is the total current enclosed by the loop.
- is the permeability of free space.

Applications of Ampere’s Circuital Law :

Magnetic Field of a Long Straight Conductor : Using Ampere’s Law, the magnetic field
around a long straight conductor is derived.

Magnetic Field Inside a Solenoid : Ampere’s Law is used to derive the expression for the
magnetic field inside a solenoid. A solenoid is a long coil of wire wound in helical turns.
When current flows through it, a strong and uniform magnetic field is generated inside the
solenoid, which behaves like a bar magnet.

The magnetic field inside a solenoid is:

Β = μοnΙ

Where:
- n is the number of turns per unit length.
- I is the current passing through the solenoid.

The solenoid is widely used in electromagnets, inductors, and transformers.

MOTION OF A CHARGED PARTICLE IN A MAGNETIC FIELD

When a charged particle enters a magnetic field, it experiences a force called the Lorentz
force, which causes it to move in a circular or spiral trajectory.

Centripetal Force and Radius of the Path :

The magnetic force acts as the centripetal force that bends the path of the charged particle.
The radius r of the circular path is given by:

r=mv/qB

Where:
- m is the mass of the particle.
- v is its velocity.
- q is its charge.
- B is the magnetic field.

Helical Motion :

If the velocity of the particle has components both parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic
field, the particle moves in a helical path.

LORENTZ FORCE

The Lorentz Force is the force experienced by a charged particle moving in both electric and
magnetic fields. It is given by:

Where:

- is the Lorentz force.

- q is the charge of the particle.
- is the electric field.
- is the velocity of the particle.
- is the magnetic field.

The Lorentz force is responsible for the circular or helical motion of charged particles in a
magnetic field. If the particle is moving parallel to the magnetic field, no force is experienced.
However, when moving perpendicular to the magnetic field, the particle experiences the
maximum force, which causes it to undergo circular motion.

Applications of Lorentz Force :

Cyclotrons and Synchrotrons : In particle accelerators like cyclotrons, charged particles are
accelerated in circular orbits under the influence of the Lorentz force.

Mass Spectrometers : The Lorentz force is used in mass spectrometers to separate ions
based on their mass-to-charge ratio.

TORQUE ON A CURRENT LOOP IN A UNIFORM MAGNETIC FIELD

When a current-carrying loop is placed in a uniform magnetic field, it experiences a torque.

This torque tends to rotate the loop and is the working principle behind electric motors and
galvanometers.

Expression for Torque :

The torque \tau on a current loop in a uniform magnetic field is given by:
Where:
- is the torque.
- n is the number of turns in the loop.
- I is the current.
- A is the area of the loop.
- B is the magnetic field strength.
- is the angle between the plane of the loop and the magnetic field.

Magnetic Dipole Moment:

The product nIA is called the magnetic dipole moment \mu, so the torque can also be written
as:

The torque is maximum when the plane of the loop is perpendicular to the magnetic field and
zero when the loop is aligned with the field.

Applications of Torque on a Current Loop :

Electric Motors : The rotation of the loop under the influence of torque is used in electric
motors to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.

Galvanometers : In galvanometers, the torque on the current-carrying loop is used to

measure small electric currents.

ELECTROMAGNETS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

An electromagnet is a type of magnet in which the magnetic field is produced by the flow of
electric current. Electromagnets are made by winding a coil of wire around a soft iron core.
When current flows through the coil, a strong magnetic field is generated, and the soft iron
core enhances the strength of the magnet.

Working of an Electromagnet :

The magnetic field produced by the current in the coil is temporary and only exists while the
current is flowing. The strength of the electromagnet can be increased by increasing the
number of turns in the coil or by increasing the current passing through it.

Applications of Electromagnets :

Electric motors : Electromagnets are used to create the rotating magnetic field that drives
electric motors.
Transformers : In transformers, electromagnets are used to transfer electrical energy
between circuits through electromagnetic induction.

MRI Machines : Electromagnets are used in medical imaging devices like MRI machines to
create strong magnetic fields for scanning internal body structures.

Electromagnets have become essential in modern technology, and their applications extend
across various industries, including transportation, healthcare, and energy.

EARTH’S MAGNETISM AND ITS ELEMENTS

The Earth behaves like a giant magnet, with a magnetic field similar to that of a bar magnet.
This magnetic field is thought to be generated by the movement of molten iron and nickel in
the Earth's outer core. The Earth's magnetic field plays a crucial role in navigation and
protects life on Earth from harmful cosmic rays and solar winds.

Earth's magnetic field is important for navigation, as it affects compass needles and protects
the planet from solar radiation

Earth’s Magnetic Poles :

The Earth's magnetic poles are not aligned with the geographical poles. The magnetic north
and south poles are located at different positions and tend to shift over time due to changes
in the Earth's magnetic field.

Magnetosphere :

The Earth's magnetic field extends into space and forms a protective shield called the
magnetosphere. The magnetosphere deflects harmful charged particles from the sun,
preventing them from reaching the Earth's surface. This interaction between the solar wind
and the Earth's magnetic field also causes phenomena like the auroras (Northern and
Southern Lights).

CONCLUSION

The study of the magnetic effect of current and magnetism provides a solid foundation for
understanding various physical phenomena and technological applications. Key principles
like Oersted’s Experiment , Biot-Savart Law , and Ampere’s Circuital Law reveal how
electric currents generate magnetic fields, while concepts like Lorentz Force explain the
behaviour of charged particles in a magnetic field.

From electromagnets in everyday devices to the Earth's magnetic field guiding navigation
and protecting life, the principles of magnetism play an integral role in both technology and
nature. This project has explored essential laws and their applications, demonstrating the
importance of magnetism in scientific advancements and modern innovations.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

For successfully completing my project file, I have taken help from the following Books and
websites

● ISC Physics Class 12

Textbook – Nootan Publications

● HC Verma, "Concepts of Physics Part 2"

● D.C. Pandey, "Understanding Physics for JEE Main & Advanced"

● Online Resources: Wikipedia, Physics Classroom