motors, generators and transformers COPY Flashcards
what do magnetic field lines show
magnetic field lines are used to show the size and direction of magnetic fields.
which way magnetic field lines point in diagrams of magnetic fields
magnetic field lines always point from north to south
how can you look at magnetic field patterns
you can use compasses and iron fillings as they align themselves with magnetic fields
magnets ……….. and …………. other magnets
magnets ATTRACT and REPEL other magnets
how do you produce a uniform magnetic field using two bar magnets
placing the north and south poles of two permanent bar magnets near each other creates a uniform field between the two magnets
what happens when a current flows through a wire
when a current flows through a wire a magnetic field is produced around the wire
what can the shape of the magnetic field be seen as
the shape of the magnetic field can be seen as a series of concentric circles in a plane, perpendicular to the wire
what do the direction of magnetic field lines depend on
the direction of the field lines depends on the direction of the current
what is an electromagnet
a magnet whose magnetic field can be turned on and off with an electric current
how can you increase the strength of the magnetic field around a solenoid
you can increase the strength of the magnetic field around a solenoid by adding a magnetically ‘soft’ iron core through the middle of the coil
what is a magnetically soft material
a magnetically soft material magnetises and demagnetises very easily. so, as soon as you turn off the current, the magnetic field disappears - the iron doesn’t stay magnetised. this is what makes it useful for something that needs to be able to switch its magnetism on and off
how are electromagnets used in scrapyard cranes
electromagnets are used in some cranes to attract and pick up things made from magnetic materials like iron and steel, when the current passes through the coil of the electromagnet . when the current is switched off, the magnetic material drops off the electromagnet as the electromagnet is demagnetised
how can electromagnets used in a circuit breaker
in a circuit breaker, there is a switch in series with an electromagnet. the switch is normally held closed by a spring. when too much current passes through the electromagnet, the switch is pulled open by the electromagnet. the switch stays open when it has been opened until it is reset manually
what is the left hand rule
you can use Fleming’s left-hand rule to remember the direction of motion in an electric motor. First finger points in the direction of the magnetic Field. (N to S) The seCond finger points in the direction of the Current and is at right angle to the field. (+ to -) The thuMb points in the direction of the Motion.
what does an electromagnet consist of
an electromagnet consists of insulated wire wrapped round an iron bar (the core)
what happens when a current is passed along the wire in an electromagnet
when current is passed along a wire, a magnetic field is created around the wire. as a result, the magnetic field of the wire magnetises the iron bar. when the current is switched off, the iron bar loses most of its magnetism.
what can electromagnets be used in
-scrapyard cranes -circuit breakers -electric bells -relays
how are electromagnets used in electric bells
when the bell is connected to the battery, an iron amateur is pulled onto the electromagnet. this opens the make-and-break switch, and the electromagnet is switch off. as a result, the armature springs back and the make-and-break switch closes again so the whole cycle repeats itself
how are electromagnets used in relays
a relay is used to switch an electrical machine such as a motor on and off. when current passes through the electromagnet, the armature is pulled onto the electromagnet. as a result, the armature turns about the pivot and closes the switch gap. in this way, a small current (through the electromagnet) is used to switch on a much larger current.
what is the motor effect
the force that a wire carrying a current experiences when it is placed in a magnetic field
what will happen when the conductor is parallel to the magnetic field
the conductor will not experience a force if it s parallel to the magnetic field
what can the size of the force be increased by
-increasing the strength of the magnetic field -increasing the size of the current
what will reverse the direction of the force
by either: -reversing the direction of the current -reversing the direction of the magnetic field
what does a simple motor consist of
the simple motor consists of a rectangular coil of insulated wire (the armature coil) that is forced to rotate. the coil is connected via two metal or graphite ‘brushes’ to the battery. the brushes press onto a metal split ring commutator fixed to the coil.
why does the coil in an electric motor spin when current is passed through the coil
-a force acts on each side of the coil due to the motor effect -the force on one side is in the opposite direction to the force on the other side
what does the split ring commutator do
the split ring commutator reverses the current round the coil every half-turn of the coil. because the sides swap over each half-turn, the coil is pushed in the same direction every half-turn