Using Magnetic Fields to Keep Things Moving Flashcards
What is a magnetic field?
The region around a magnet in which a magnetic material (e.g. iron) will be attracted to the magnet
Define ‘line of force’
Line in a magnetic field along which a magnetic compass points.
Also called magnetic field lines.
Describe the force between two magnets
Like poles repel, same poles attract
Give 5 examples of where electromagnets are used.
- Scrapyard cranes
- Circuit breakers
- Electric bells
- Relays
- Fire alarms
What happens when a current flows through a wire?
A magnetic field is created
How are electromagnets made?
- Insulated wire is wrapped around a piece of soft iron, this will become the core.
- When a current flows through the wire the iron becomes strongly magnetised
- When the current is switched off the iron loses its magnetism
This temporary magnetism makes electromagnets very useful
What is the motor effect?
When a current is passed along a wire that has been placed inside a maganetic field, a force is exerted on the wire by the magnetic field.
This only works if the wire is not parallel to the lines of the magnetic field
When is the force felt by the wire in a magnetic field greatest?
When the wire is at 90° to the magnetic field (perpendicular)
When is the force felt by the wire in a magnetic field smallest?
When the wire is parallel to the magnetic field
What is Fleming’s Left Hand Rule used to determine?
The direction of the force felt by a wire expiriencing the motor effect (in a magnetic field)
In what position are the fingers in Fleming’s Left Hand Rule at in accordance to one another?
They are at right angles to each other (perpendicular)
What do the fingers in Fleming’s Left Hand Rule represent?
- Thumb - Thrust (direction of force)
- First Finger - Field (north to south)
- Second Finger - Current (positive to negative)
How can the force felt through the motor effect be increased?
Increasing the strength of the magnetic field
Increasing the size of the current
How can the direction of the force on the wire undergoing the motor effect reversed?
The direction of the current is reversed
The direction of the magnetic field is reversed
What happens to the direction of the force on a wire carrying a current in a magnetic field if:
Both the current and magnetic field are reversed?
It stays the same
What happens to the direction of the force on a wire carrying a current in a magnetic field if:
The direction of the current changed?
It is revesed
What happens to the direction of the force on a wire carrying a current in a magnetic field if:
The direction of the magnetic field is changed?
It reverses
How can the direction of a motor be changed?
By reversing the direction of the current (or magnetic field, but current is more easy/more common)
How can the speed of a motor be increased?
By increasing the size of the current (or magnetic field, but current is easier)
When a current passes through the coil of a motor, why does the motor spin?
Because a force acts on each side of the coil due to the motor effect.
The force on one side of the coil is in the opposite direction to the force on the other side.
This causes the motor to spin.