Electromagnetism Flashcards

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1
Q

What is an electromagnetic induction?

A

If an electrical conductor cuts through magnetic field lines, an electrical potential different is induced across the ends of the conductor. If the wire is part of a complete circuit, a current is induced in the wire.

Happens when any conductor crosses through magnetic field lines.

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2
Q

When will the size of the induced potential difference decrease?

A

The speed of the movement increases
The strength of the magnetic field increases
The number of turns on the coil increases
The area of the coil is greater

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3
Q

What is a generator?

A

Contains coils of wires that spin in a magnetic field. A potential difference or voltage is created, or induced, across the ends of the wire when it crosses through the magnetic field lines.

If the conductor is part of a complete circuit, the induced potential difference makes an electric current pass around the circuit. This effect is called the generator effect.

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4
Q

Why does the ammeter pointer deflect when one end of the bar magnet is pushed into the coil (generator effect)?

A

The movement of the bar magnet causes an induced potential difference across the bar.
The induced potential difference causes a current, because the coil is part of a complete circuit.

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5
Q

What happens when you use a stronger magnet in a generator?

A

If a stronger magnet is used, both the induced potential difference and the current will be bigger.

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6
Q

What happens to the ammeter pointer if the bar magnet is withdrawn from the coil? (generator)

A

The ammeter pointer deflects in a different direction. This is because the induced potential difference acts in the opposite direction, so the induced current is in the opposite direction m

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7
Q

Talk about the direction of the induced current in a generator.

A

The direction of an induced current always opposes the original change that caused it.

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8
Q

What are permanent magnets made of?

A

Steel because magnetised steel does not lose its magnetism easily.

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9
Q

What materials can be magnetised and demagnetised easily?

A

Iron, steel, cobalt and nickel.

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10
Q

What is the region around a magnet called?

A

Magnetic field.

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11
Q

What happens to an object that enters another objects magnetic field?

A

Any other material placed in this space experiences a force caused by the first magnet.

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12
Q

What are magnetic field lines also called?

A

Lines of force. These lines are more concentrated at the poles than elsewhere because the field is strongest at the poles.

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13
Q

Where is the field strongest?

A

At the poles.

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14
Q

What is the direction of a line of force?

A

Always from the north pole of the magnet to its south pole.

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15
Q

What happens to a plotting compass place in a magnetic field?

A

Aligns itself along a magnetic field line, pointing in a direction away from the N-pole of the magnet and towards the magnet’s S-pole.

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16
Q

What is induced magnetism?

A

An unmagnetised magnetic material can be magnetised by placing it in a magnetic field.

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17
Q

What force of attraction does induced magnetism cause?

A

Will cause a force of attraction between any unmagnetised magnetic material placed near one end of a bar magnet. The force is always attractive force whichever end of the bar magnet is nearest to the material.

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18
Q

What happens to the magnetic field lines when you reverse the current?

A

The magnetic field lines reverse direction when the direction of the current is reversed.

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19
Q

What happens to the magnetic field when you increase the current?

A

Becomes stronger everywhere.

The plotting compass turns more and more away from North as the current becomes stronger. This is because the field has a bigger effect on the plotting compass than the Earth’s magnetic field does.

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20
Q

What is a solenoid?

A

A solenoid is a long coil of insulated wire. The magnetic field is produced in and around the solenoid when a current is passed through the wire.

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21
Q

Explain the inside of the solenoid.

A

The magnetic field is much stronger than if the wire was straight. The field lines are parallel to the axis of the solenoid, and they are all in the same direction. The magnetic field inside the solenoid is strong and uniform.

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22
Q

Explain the outside of the solenoid.

A

The magnetic field lines bend around from one end of the solenoid to the other end of the solenoid. Each field lines is a complete loop because it passes through the inside of the solenoid.

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23
Q

Why are the magnetic field lines in a complete loop on a solenoid?

A

Because it passes through the inside of the solenoid.

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24
Q

What is an electromagnet?

A

An electromagnet is a solenoid in which the insulated wire is wrapped around an iron bar (the core). When a current is passed along a wire, a magnetic field is created around the wire. Because of this, the magnetic field of the wire magnetises the iron bar. When the current is switched off, the iron bar loses most of its magnetism.

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25
Q

What are four uses of an electromagnet?

A

The scrapyard crane
The circuit breaker
The electric bell
The relay

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26
Q

What is the scrapyard crane?

A

A use of electromagnets:
Scrap vehicles are lifted in scrap yards using powerful electromagnets attached to cranes. The steel frame of a vehicle sticks to the electromagnet when current passes through the coil of the electromagnet. When the current is switched off, the vehicle frame falls of the electromagnet.

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27
Q

What is a circuit breaker?

A

A use of electromagnets:
A circuit breaker is a switch in series with an electromagnet. The switch is held closed by a spring. When the current is too large, the switch is pulled open by an electromagnet and it stays open until it is reset manually.

28
Q

What is an electric bell?

A

A use of electromagnets:
When an electric bell is connected to a battery, the iron armature is pulled on to the electromagnet. This opens the make-and-break switch, and the electromagnet is switched off. Because of this, the armature springs back and the make-and-break switch closes again, so the whole cycle repeats itself.

29
Q

What is the relay?

A

A use of electromagnets:
The relay is used to switch an electrical machine on or off. A small current through the coil of the electromagnet magnetises the iron core, which then pulls the armature onto the electromagnet. This closes the switch gap and switches the machine on. In this way, a small current in the coil is used to switch on a machine with a much bigger current.

30
Q

Where are electric motors used?

A

Hairdryers
Electric shavers
Refrigerator pump
Computer hard drive

31
Q

How does an electric motor work?

A

A force can act on a wire (or any other conductor) in a magnetic field when a current is passed through the wire. This is called the motor effect.

32
Q

How can the force in a motor be increased?

A

Increasing the current

Using a stronger magnet

33
Q

What does the size of a force in a motor depend on?

A

The size of the force depends on the angle between the wire and the magnetic field lines.

The force is greatest when the wire is perpendicular to the magnetic field.
The force is 0 when the wire is parallel to the magnetic field lines.

34
Q

When is the direction of the force in a motor reversed?

A

If the direction of the current or the magnetic field is reversed.

35
Q

What rule is used to find the direction of the force in a motor?

A

Fleming’s left hand rule.

36
Q

What is the magnetic flux density?

A

The magnetic flux density of a magnetic field is the measure of the strength of the magnetic field. The symbol B is used for magnetic flux density and the unit is tesla T

37
Q

What does the size of the force on the conductor depend on? (motor effect)

A

The current in the conductor
The length of the conductor
The magnetic flux density B of the magnetic field.

38
Q

How can you control the speed of an electric motor?

A

Changing the current.

39
Q

What is an induced magnet?

A

A material that becomes a magnet when placed in a magnetic field.

40
Q

What are the four types of magnetic material?

A

Iron
Steel
Cobalt
Nickle

Can be permanent or induced

41
Q

Where is the magnetic field strongest?

A

Closer and at the poles of the magnet.

Lines are close together.

42
Q

What direction do magnetic field lines go?

A

North pole to south pole.

43
Q

What is the right hand grip rule used for?

A

Direction of the magnetic field produced by a wire.

44
Q

What is an electromagnet?

A

A solenoid containing an iron core.

45
Q

How do you increase the magnetic field of a solenoid?

A

Increase the current
Increase the number of coils
Place an iron bar through the middle (iron core).

46
Q

What is a relay used for?

A

Turns high voltage electric circuits on and off. It contains two separate circuits - a low voltage circuit containing an electromagnet (safe to be switched on and off) and a high voltage circuit where the switch is replaced with two metal contacts.
One of the contacts is connected to a spring, which keeps the two contacts apart. There is also an iron block next to the spring.

When the low voltage circuit is switched on , there is a magnetic field around the electromagnet. The magnetic field attracts the iron block in the high voltage circuit. This causes the contacts to close and switches on the high voltage circuit.
When the current is turned off, the contacts spring apart because there is no magnetic field, and the high voltage circuit is switched off.

47
Q

How does an electric doorbell work?

A

The switch is closed when the buzzer is pressed. This causes the current to flow = magnetic field. The iron contact moves towards the magnetic field, so the clapper hits the bell. At the same time, this breaks the circuit, and there is no magnetic field. The iron contact then springs back to its original position. The circuit is now complete again, and the process is repeated.

48
Q

What is the magnetic flux density?

A

A measure of the strength of the magnetic field.

49
Q

What factors affect the force experienced during the motor effect?

A

Magnetic flux density
Current
Length

50
Q

When do you use Fleming’s left hand rule?

A

To find the force experienced during the motor effect.
First finger points in the direction of the field (N to S)
Second finger in direction of conventional current.
Thumb shows direction of the motion/force.

51
Q

When will a force not be experienced during the motor effect?

A

If the conductor is parallel to the magnetic field it will not experience a force. It must be at a right angle to the magnetic field.

52
Q

What is used to change the direction of the current in an electric motor?

A

Split-ring commutator. It is connected to conducting brushes. It breaks the current for a fraction of a second.

53
Q

What happens if a wire is moved up through a magnetic field?

A

A potential difference is induced across the ends of the wire. The potential difference reverses direction when the wire is moved back down. This is called the induced potential.

54
Q

What is the generator effect?

A

If you have a complete circuit, then a current is induced. The circuit moves up and down through the magnetic field. The direction of the current switches when direction of movement switches. We also get an induced potential and an induced current if we keep the wire still but move the magnetic field. The wire passes through the magnetic field.

55
Q

During the generator effect, what does the size of the induced current or induced potential difference depend on?

A

Larger if
Stronger magnetic field
Move the wire more rapidly
If we shape the wire into a coil (greater number of turns).

56
Q

Why does the induced current make it harder to move the magnet?

A

When we move a magnet into a coil of wire, a current is induced in the wire. This induced current creates its own magnetic field. This magnetic field opposes the movement of the magnet. When we insert the North pole into the coil, that end of the coil also becomes a North pole which repels the magnet, making it harder to push the magnet in. When we pull the North pole out, that end of the coil becomes a South pole. This attracts the magnet, making it harder to pull it out.

57
Q

What can the generator effect be used for?

A

To create an alternating current and a direct current.

58
Q

What is an alternator?

A

A coil of wire rotating in a magnetic field. The coil is connected to two metal rings called commutators. The commutators allow the current to pass out of the coil.
A potential difference is induced when the wire passes through the magnetic field.

Produces an alternating potential difference and an alternating current. AC.

59
Q

For the graph showing what happens during the alternator, when it is zero?

A

When the wire is at 90 degrees, because it is parallel to the magnets.

60
Q

What happens if you increase the rotation speed of the coil?

A

Then we increase both the size and frequency of the alternating current.

61
Q

What is a dynamo?

A

Has a split ring commutator. The split-ring commutator has two sides separated by a gap. Creates a direct current. Two peaks on the graph for one rotation.

62
Q

What is a transformer?

A

Has two coils, the primary on the right and secondary on the left. The two coils are wrapped around an iron core. Iron is used because it is easily magnetised.

The primary coil is connected to an alternating current. As the current flow through the primary coil, it generates a changing magnetic field.
This magnetic field is transmitted along the iron core, and passes through the secondary coil. When it passes through the secondary coil, it induces a potential difference.

63
Q

What current do transformers need?

A

An alternating current. This is because a change in magnetic field is needed to induce a potential difference.

64
Q

How do step up transformers work?

A

More coils in the secondary coil. This means that it induces a greater potential difference.

65
Q

How does a step down transformer work?

A

Fewer turns in the secondary coil compared to the primary coil. Therefore, the potential difference in the secondary coil is less than that in the primary coil.

66
Q

What is the equation used for transformers?

A

Potential difference in primary coil / potential difference in secondary coil = number of turns in the primary coil / number of turns in the secondary coil.