GCSE Science | Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism

  • whenever there is wire with a current going through it
  • there is a (small) magnetic field around it

Right hand rule

  • thumb is the current
  • fingers are the magnetic field

How to increase the size of the magnetic field around a wire

  • increase the current
  • coil the wire
  • add an iron core

Solenoid

  • coil of wire (current on)
  • with an iron core
  • same magnetic field lines as that of a bar magnet

Motor effect

  • a current-carrying wire will produce a small magnetic field
  • if you place this wire between permanent magnets,
  • the magnetic fields will interact
  • this will create a force causing the wire will spin
  • we can add a split-ring commutator to allow the wire to keep spinning the same direction

Fleming's left hand rule

  • this rule can be used to determine the direction the wire will spin in
  • first finger - field (north to south)
  • second finger - current
  • thumb - movement (force)

How to increase the force from the motor effect

  • increase the length of the wire
  • increase the current
  • use stronger magnets
  • move the magnets closer