Section 2 notes--Electromagnetism

Electricity and Magnetism:

Electric Current and Magnetism

• Moving charges like those in an electric current produce magnetic fields– Ex: Oersted exp. (1820)-pg. 233

A magnetic field around a current-carrying wire forms a circular pattern

Direction of the field depends on direction of current

Strength of field depends on amt of current in wire

Electromagnets

• An electromagnet is a temporary magnet made by placing a piece of iron inside a current carrying coil of wire.– Magnetic fields are created by the coil of

wire– The more loops, the stronger the

magnetism– Ex: stereo speakers, electric motors,

magnet in auto junkyard

CD Players—how do they work?

• CD player produces electric current• Electric current passes through a coiled

wire in the speaker (that is part of an electromagnet)

• The electromagnet is attracted or repelled to a fixed magnet

• The back and forth movement vibrates the speakers surface and produces sound

Galvanometers

• Galvanometers-gauges that use electromagnets to measure electric current

• The electromagnet is able to rotate between poles of a permanent fixed magnet

• When current flows through the coil, the electromagnet rotates to one of the poles– Ex; temp gauges in cars/gas gauges

Electric Motors

• An electric motor is a device that changes electrical energy into mechanical energy

Electric motors contain electromagnets that are free to rotate between the poles of a permanent, fixed magnet

The coil in the electromagnet is connected to a source of electric current

More on electric motors

• When a current flows through the electromagnet, a magnetic field is produced in the coil

• A magnetic force between the electromagnet and the permanent magnet causes the coil to turn– Ex: pg. 238 figure 15

Controlling electric motors

• Electric motors can be more useful if their rotation speed can be controlled– One way this can be done is to vary the

amount of current flowing through the coil

The first electric motor was developed in 1873—used direct current

1888—first electric motor to use alternating current