magnetism and electromagnetism Flashcards
Where are the magnetic forces the strongest?
The poles of a magnet are where the magnetic forces are the strongest.
What happens when two magnets are brought close to each other?
When two magnets are brought close to each other, they exert a force on each other.
- two like poles repel
- two different poles attract
What is a permanent magnet?
A permanent magnet produces its own magnetic field. For example, a bar magnet.
What is an induced magnet?
An induced magnet will become a magnet when placed in a magnetic field. This always causes a force of attraction. It loses most or all of its magnetism quickly when it is taken away.
What is a magnetic field?
A magnetic field is the region around a magnet where a force acts on another magnetic material or magnet.
Name four magnetic materials.
magnetic materials always feel a force of attraction:
- iron
- steel (alloy of iron)
- cobalt
- nickel
What direction does a magnetic field run from?
The magnetic field lines always run from the north to the south.
How does a magnetic compass work?
A magnetic compass contains a small bar magnet. Naturally, the compass points in the direction of the earth’s magnetic field, which is due to its core.
How is an electromagnetic field produced?
When a current flows through a conducting wire, a magnetic field is produced around the wire. There is proof for this due to the influence it has on compasses.
What does the strength of a magnetic field depend on?
the strength of a magnetic field depends on:
- the magnitude of the current
- the distance from the wire/magnet
Describe the right hand grip rule.
right hand grip rule:
- MUST use right hand
- put thumb in the direction of the current
- the direction in which the hand curls around the wire is the direction of the magnetic field around the wire
What is a solenoid? Describe its magnetic field and how to increase its magnetic field.
A solenoid is formed is when you coil the wire that forms a magnetic field. It increases the strength of the field; it is strong and uniform inside the solenoid. Its magnetic field is similar in shape to a bar magnet.
- increasing the number of coils increases the strength of the magnetic field
- placing iron inside the solenoid increases the strength of the magnetic field
What is an electromagnet? Why is this useful?
An electromagnet is a solenoid with an iron core. It is useful as the magnetic field is much stronger and you can turn it on or off and change the strength with the current in the wire.
Give four uses of electromagnets.
uses of electromagnets:
- electric bell
- electrical relay
- circuit breaker
- electrical doorlock
Describe how an electric bell works.
electric bell:
1) the switch closes
2) current flows, turning on the electromagnet
3) the soft iron armature is pulled towards the electromagnet and the hammer hits the gong
4) this causes the contact switch to open, cutting off the circuit
5) the spring pulls the armature back again, closing the contact switch
6) the current flows again and the hammer hits the gong again
Describe how an electrical relay works.
electrical relay:
- using a low voltage circuit to set off a high voltage one
1) the switch closes
2) the small current provided by the cell causes the electromagnet to become magnetised
3) an iron rocker arm is attracted to the electromagnet
4) this causes contacts to close, setting off the high voltage circuit