Electromagnetism and the Motor Effect

Current-Carrying Wires
flow of
When an electric current flows through a wire, a circular current
magnetic field is created around it. This is because wire
charged particles experience magnetic forces when
they move. This magnetic field is drawn as a series of
concentric circles with the wire at their centre. The closer
together the lines are, the stronger the field is. The field magnetic
is strongest closest to the wire so as you move further field line
away from it, the distance between the circles increases.
The strength of the magnetic field increases if the current
flowing through the wire is increased.
The direction of the magnetic field is shown by the arrows flow of
on the circles. The direction of the magnetic field can be current
determined using the right-hand grip rule. To do this,
curl the fingers of your right hand into a fist. Then point
your thumb to align with the flow of current in the wire.
The direction of your curled fingers will show whether
the magnetic field is flowing clockwise or anticlockwise.
In the example shown, the magnetic field is moving in an
direction of
anticlockwise direction around the wire. Reversing the
magnetic
direction of the current flowing through the wire would
field
reverse the direction of the magnetic field. See if you can
show this using the right-hand grip rule.

Solenoids
Twisting a wire into a coil creates a solenoid. A solenoid is a coil of wire that produces a
magnetic field when a current flows through it. Inside the solenoid, the field lines are parallel
to one another. The individual magnetic fields around each loop of the coil combine to form
a single, uniform magnetic field which is stronger than that of the same piece of wire when
straightened.
Outside the solenoid, the field lines bend to form a
complete loop that passes through the centre of the
coil. As you move away from the coil, the weaker the
magnetic field becomes. Therefore, the magnetic
field lines around the solenoid are drawn further
apart than those inside the solenoid. Like a straight N S
wire, the strength and direction of the magnetic field
around a solenoid is also affected by the current
flowing through it. Increasing the current increases
the strength of the magnetic field, while reversing
solenoid
the current reverses the direction of the magnetic
field.

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 Electromagnetism and the Motor Effect
Magnetic field lines are drawn pointing in the direction that the magnetic force would act if
the north pole of another magnet was placed at that point within the field. For this reason,
the north pole of the solenoid pictured above is located at the end of the coil where the field
lines exit: two magnetic north poles repel each other, so the force of the magnetic field is
acting away from the left-hand side of the solenoid.
The direction of the flow of current through the
solenoid can be used to determine the location
of its magnetic poles. The north pole is always
located at the end where the current flows
through the coils in an anticlockwise direction.

Electromagnets
When a solenoid is coiled around an iron core it creates an electromagnet. When current
flows through the wire and creates a magnetic field, it also magnetises the iron core. The
iron core remains magnetic while current flows through the wire. The magnetic field around
an electromagnet is stronger than that of a solenoid. Like a wire and a solenoid, the strength
of an electromagnet can be increased by increasing the current flowing through the wire.

The Motor Effect

When a wire carrying a current is placed in an external magnetic field it experiences a force.
This is because the magnetic field around the wire interacts with the external magnetic field.
The force experienced by the wire causes it to move in a direction which is perpendicular
to the external magnetic field. This is called the motor effect. Reversing the direction of the
current through the wire reverses direction in which the force acts.

direction force
acts on the
wire (F)

direction of
magnetic field
(B)

direction of
conventional
current (I)

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 Electromagnetism and the Motor Effect
The direction of the force exerted on the wire can be
determined using Fleming’s left-hand rule. To do this,
curl the fingers of your left hand into a fist and extend
your thumb upwards as if giving someone a ‘thumbs
up’. Your extended thumb represents the direction F
B
of the force (F) acting on the wire. Next, extend your
forefinger straight out at a right angle to your thumb.
Your forefinger represents the direction of the magnetic
field (B) from north to south. Finally, extend your I
middle finger to the right so it is perpendicular to both
your thumb and your forefinger. Your middle finger
represents the direction in which current (I) flows
through the wire. Conventional current flows from the
positive terminal of a cell or battery to its negative terminal.
To find the direction in which a wire moves due to the motor effect, align your middle finger
with the given current and your forefinger with the magnetic field. Your thumb will then
point in the direction that the wire moves in when the force acts upon it.

The Size of the Force

Increasing the current flowing through a wire increases the magnitude of the force it
experiences due to the motor effect. This force is also increased when a stronger magnet
is used to provide the external magnetic field and when the length of the wire inside the
magnetic field is increased. The force is at its greatest when the wire carrying the current is
perpendicular to the magnetic field. When the magnetic field lines run parallel to the flow
of current no resultant force occurs.
When a current flows through a wire or other electrical conductor, and it is placed at right
angles to an external magnetic field, the size of the force the wire experiences can be
calculated using the equation:

force = magnetic flux density x current x length

F=BIl

Force is represented by the symbol F. Force is measured in newtons (N).

Current is represented by the symbol I. Current is measured in amps (A).
Length is represented by the symbol l. Length is measured in metres (m).

Magnetic flux density is a term given to describe the strength of the magnetic field. It is
represented by the symbol B. Magnetic flux density is measured in tesla (T).

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