Magnetic Effect of a Current (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award)): Revision Note

Exam code: 0654 & 0973

Katie M

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Katie M

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Magnetic fields around wires & solenoids

Extended tier only

  • Magnetic fields are formed wherever a current flows, such as in:

    • straight wires

    • solenoids

    • circular coils

Magnetic field due to a straight wire

  • The magnetic field lines around a straight wire are

    • made up of concentric circles

    • centred on the wire

  • A circular field pattern indicates that the magnetic field around a current-carrying wire has no poles

  • The right-hand grip rule can be used to work out the direction of the magnetic field

Field lines on wire, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Level Physics revision notes

The direction of the field around a current-carrying wire can be determined using the right-hand grip rule

  • The field lines are clockwise or anticlockwise around the wire, depending on the direction of the current

    • Reversing the current reverses the direction of the field

  • The direction of the magnetic field can be determined using the right-hand grip rule

    • This is determined by pointing the right-hand thumb in the direction of the current in the wire and curling the fingers onto the palm

    • The direction of the curled fingers represents the direction of the magnetic field lines around the wire

    • For example, if the current is travelling vertically upwards, the magnetic field lines will be directed anticlockwise, as seen from directly above the wire

  • Note: the direction of the current is taken to be the conventional current i.e. from positive to negative, not the direction of electron flow

Magnetic field due to a solenoid

  • As seen from a current-carrying wire, an electric current produces a magnetic field

  • An electromagnet utilises this by using a coil of wire called a solenoid

    • This increases the strength of the magnetic field by adding more turns of wire into a smaller region of space

  • One end of the solenoid becomes a north pole and the other becomes the south pole

Field lines on a solenoid, , downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Level Physics revision notes

The magnetic field lines around a solenoid are similar to a bar magnet

  • As a result, the field lines around a solenoid are similar to a bar magnet

    • The field lines emerge from the north pole

    • The field lines return to the south pole

  • The poles of the solenoid can be determined using the right-hand grip rule

    • The curled fingers represent the direction of the current flow around the coil

    • The thumb points in the direction of the field inside the coil, towards the north pole

Direction of field solenoid, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Level Physics revision notes

In a solenoid, the north pole forms at the end where the current flows anti-clockwise, and the south pole at the end where the current flows clockwise

Magnetic field due to a circular coil

  • A circular coil is equivalent to one of the coils of a solenoid

  • The field lines emerge through one side of the circle (north pole) and enter through the other (south pole)

  • As with a solenoid, the direction of the magnetic field lines depends on the direction of the current

    • This can also be determined using the right-hand grip rule

Field lines on circular coil, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Level Physics revision notes

Magnetic field lines of many individual circular coils can be combined to make a solenoid

Worked Example

The current in a long, straight vertical wire is in the direction XY, as shown in the diagram.

Sketch the magnetic field lines in the horizontal plane ABCD due to the current-carrying wire. Draw at least four field lines.

Answer:

Magnetic_Fields_in_Wires,_Coils___Solenoids_Worked_example_-_Drawing_Flux_Lines_Answer, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes
  • Concentric circles

  • Increasing separation between each circle

  • Arrows drawn in an anticlockwise direction

Magnetic effects of changing current

Extended tier only

Magnetic field strength around a straight wire

  • The strength of the magnetic field produced around a wire can be increased by:

    • increasing the amount of current flowing through the wire

  • The direction of the magnetic field produced around a wire can be changed by:

    • changing the direction of the current

  • The strength of a magnetic field decreases with distance from the wire

    • The magnetic field is strongest near the wire and becomes weaker further away from the wire

    • This is shown by the magnetic field lines becoming further apart

Field Lines Wire, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

The greater the current, the stronger the magnetic field. This is shown by more concentrated field lines

Magnetic field strength around a solenoid

  • The strength of the magnetic field produced around a solenoid can be increased by:

    • increasing the amount of current flowing through the coil

    • increasing the number of turns on the coil

    • inserting an iron core into the coil

  • The direction of the magnetic field produced around a solenoid can be changed by:

    • changing the direction of the current

  • When a soft iron core is inserted into a solenoid, it can be used as an electromagnet

    • The iron core becomes an induced magnet when a current flows through the coils 

    • The magnetic field produced by the solenoid and the iron core will create a much stronger magnet overall

Structure of an electromagnet

Electromagnet

An electromagnet consists of a solenoid wrapped around a soft iron core

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Katie M

Author: Katie M

Expertise: Physics Content Creator

Katie has always been passionate about the sciences, and completed a degree in Astrophysics at Sheffield University. She decided that she wanted to inspire other young people, so moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science. She particularly loves creating fun and absorbing materials to help students achieve their exam potential.

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