P2 - Magnetism and Electromagnetism Flashcards
Describe the differences between permanent and induced magnets
- permanent magnets induce their own magnetic field
- induced magnets become a magnet when placed in a magnetic field, when removed from the field they loose their magnetism quickly
How can a magnetic compass be used to plot the field around a bar magnet?
- place bar magnet on a piece of paper
- place compass at one end of magnet
- on paper, mark where the point of compass needle is
- move compass so the tail of the needle is at the point that has just been marked
- on paper, mark a new point where the needle now is
- release and connect the marks until the full field is plotted
What happens when a current flows in a conducting wire?
A magnetic field is produced around the wire
Right hand grip method
- grip wire with right hand, think pointing in direction of current
- finger curled around the wire will point in direction of magnetic field lines
What does the strength of a magnetic field depend on?
- size of current
- - distance from wire
What is a solenoid?
- wire looped in cylindrical coil
- this increases strength of magnetic field, creating a strong uniform field inside the solenoid
- adding an iron core can further increase the magnetic field strength (this would make it an electromagnet)
What does a solenoid increase magnetic field strength?
- concentrates longer piece of wire into a smaller area
- loops shape means that the magnetic field lines around wire are all in same direction
- similar to a bar magnet
How would you find the north pole of a solenoid?
right hand grip method
- hold solenoid in right hand with fingers following current direction
- thumb points to north pole
How does an electric bell work?
- when the switch is pushed the electromagnet is magnetised
- electromagnet attracts armature
- hammer strikes the gong, breaking the circuit
- armature springs back, completing the circuit again
- remagnetises electromagnet
- cycle repeats as button keeps being pushed
What is it called when a current carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field and experiences a force?
the motor effect
How can the force in a field be increased?
- size of current
- length of conductor
- flux density
What is Fleming’s left hand rule?
Thumb = direction of force
second finger = magnetic field
middle finger = direction of current
(2 must be known to find another)
Explain what happens to a current carrying coil in a magnetic field
- rotates
- current going up one side is opposite to current coming back down
- used in electric motors
How is the direction of the coil kept in the same direction?
brush contacts at the commutator, so the motor keeps rotating and doesn’t stop in the upright position
(Fleming LH rule can be used on one side to see what direction the motor will rotate)
How do loudspeakers work?
- as current travels through coil it experiences a force due to magnetic field
- speaker cone moves
- current is alternating, so force direction changes creating oscillations
- increasing electrical power produces a larger force, so cone oscillates at high amplitude (louder)
- frequency of sound produced matches frequency of alternating current
- large cone is better for low pitch as size affects how quickly it can oscillate and size of oscillations
- kinetic energy is converted in to sound energy