MAGNETISM

1. Bar Magnet and its properties

2. Current Loop as a Magnetic Dipole and Dipole Moment
3. Current Solenoid equivalent to Bar Magnet
4. Bar Magnet and it Dipole Moment
5. Coulomb’s Law in Magnetism
6. Important Terms in Magnetism
7. Magnetic Field due to a Magnetic Dipole
8. Torque and Work Done on a Magnetic Dipole
9. Terrestrial Magnetism
10. Elements of Earth’s Magnetic Field
11. Tangent Law
12. Properties of Dia-, Para- and Ferro-magnetic substances
13. Curie’s Law in Magnetism
14. Hysteresis in Magnetism

Created by C. Mani, Principal, K V No.1, AFS, Jalahalli West, Bangalore

Magnetism:
- Phenomenon of attracting magnetic substances like iron, nickel, cobalt, etc.
• A body possessing the property of magnetism is called a magnet.
• A magnetic pole is a point near the end of the magnet where magnetism is
concentrated.
• Earth is a natural magnet.
•The region around a magnet in which it exerts forces on other magnets and on
objects made of iron is a magnetic field.
Properties of a bar magnet:
1. A freely suspended magnet aligns itself along North – South direction.
2. Unlike poles attract and like poles repel each other.
3. Magnetic poles always exist in pairs. i.e. Poles can not be separated.
4. A magnet can induce magnetism in other magnetic substances.
5. It attracts magnetic substances.
Repulsion is the surest test of magnetisation: A magnet attracts iron rod as well as
opposite pole of other magnet. Therefore it is not a sure test of magnetisation.
But, if a rod is repelled with strong force by a magnet, then the rod is surely magnetised.
Representation of Uniform Magnetic Field:

x x x x x
x x x x x
x x x x x
x x x x x
x x x x x

Uniform field Uniform field perpendicular &

Uniform field on the perpendicular & into the emerging out of the plane of
plane of the diagram plane of the diagram the diagram

Current Loop as a Magnetic Dipole & Dipole Moment:

Magnetic Dipole Moment is
A M=IA n
B
SI unit is A m2.
TIP:
When we look at any one side of the loop carrying current, if the current is in
anti-clockwise direction then that side of the loop behaves like Magnetic
I North Pole and if the current is in clockwise direction then that side of the
loop behaves like Magnetic South Pole.
Current Solenoid as a Magnetic Dipole or Bar Magnet:

x x x x x x x

I I

TIP: Play previous and next to understand the similarity of field lines.
Bar Magnet:
Geographic Length
1. The line joining the poles of the magnet S P M P
is called magnetic axis. N
Magnetic Length
2. The distance between the poles of the
magnet is called magnetic length of the
magnet.
3. The distance between the ends of the magnet is called the geometrical
length of the magnet.

4. The ratio of magnetic length and geometrical length is nearly 0.84.

Magnetic Dipole & Dipole Moment:

A pair of magnetic poles of equal and opposite strengths separated by a finite
distance is called a magnetic dipole.
The magnitude of dipole moment is the product of the pole strength m and the
separation 2l between the poles.

Magnetic Dipole Moment is M = m.2l. l SI unit of pole strength is A.m

The direction of the dipole moment is from South pole to North Pole along the
axis of the magnet.
Coulomb’s Law in Magnetism:
The force of attraction or repulsion between two magnetic poles is directly
proportional to the product of their pole strengths and inversely proportional to the
square of the distance between them.

r
F α m1 m2 m1 m2
α r2

k m1 m2 μ0 m1 m2
F= or F=
r2 4π r2

(where k = μ0 / 4π is a constant and μ0 = 4π x 10-7 T m A-1)

In vector form μ0 m1 m2 r
F=
4π r2

μ0 m1 m2 r
F=
4π r3
Magnetic Intensity or Magnetising force (H):
i) Magnetic Intensity at a point is the force experienced by a north pole of
unit pole strength placed at that point due to pole strength of the given
magnet. H = B / μ
ii) It is also defined as the magnetomotive force per unit length.
iii) It can also be defined as the degree or extent to which a magnetic field can
magnetise a substance.
iv) It can also be defined as the force experienced by a unit positive charge
flowing with unit velocity in a direction normal to the magnetic field.
v) Its SI unit is ampere-turns per linear metre.
vi) Its cgs unit is oersted.

Magnetic Field Strength or Magnetic Field or Magnetic Induction or

Magnetic Flux Density (B):
i) Magnetic Flux Density is the number of magnetic lines of force passing
normally through a unit area of a substance. B = μ H
ii) Its SI unit is weber-m-2 or Tesla (T).
iii) Its cgs unit is gauss. 1 gauss = 10- 4 Tesla
Magnetic Flux (Φ):
i) It is defined as the number of magnetic lines of force
passing normally through a surface.
ii) Its SI unit is weber.

Relation between B and H:

B=μH (where μ is the permeability of the medium)

Magnetic Permeability (μ):

It is the degree or extent to which magnetic lines of force can
pass enter a substance.
Its SI unit is T m A-1 or wb A-1 m-1 or H m-1

Relative Magnetic Permeability (μr):

It is the ratio of magnetic flux density in a material to that in vacuum.
It can also be defined as the ratio of absolute permeability of the material to that
in vacuum.
μr = B / B0 or μr = μ / μ0
Intensity of Magnetisation: (I):
i) It is the degree to which a substance is magnetised when placed in a magnetic
field.
ii) It can also be defined as the magnetic dipole moment (M) acquired per unit
volume of the substance (V).
iii) It can also be defined as the pole strength (m) per unit cross-sectional area (A)
of the substance.
iv) I = M / V
v) I = m(2l) / A(2l) = m / A
vi) SI unit of Intensity of Magnetisation is A m-1.
Magnetic Susceptibility (cm ):
i) It is the property of the substance which shows how easily a substance can be
magnetised.
ii) It can also be defined as the ratio of intensity of magnetisation (I) in a substance
to the magnetic intensity (H) applied to the substance.
iii) cm = I / H Susceptibility has no unit.

Relation between Magnetic Permeability (μr) & Susceptibility (cm ):

μr = 1 + cm
Magnetic Field due to a Magnetic Dipole (Bar Magnet):
i) At a point on the axial line of the magnet:

μ0 2 M x BN
BP =
4π (x2 – l2)2
θ
BQ Q
If l << x, then θ
μ0 2 M BS
BP ≈ y
4π x3 BP = BN - BS
θ θ BS
O
BN
ii) At a point on the equatorial line of P
the magnet: S M N
l l
μ0 M x
BQ=
4π (y2 + l2)3/2
Magnetic Field at a point on the axial line acts
If l << y, then along the dipole moment vector.
μ0 M Magnetic Field at a point on the equatorial line
BP ≈ acts opposite to the dipole moment vector.
4π y3
Torque on a Magnetic Dipole (Bar Magnet) in Uniform Magnetic Field:
The forces of magnitude mB act
opposite to each other and hence
N
net force acting on the bar magnet 2l mB
due to external uniform magnetic M
field is zero. So, there is no θ
translational motion of the magnet. mB
S B

However the forces are along

different lines of action and
constitute a couple. Hence the
magnet will rotate and experience
torque. M
Torque = Magnetic Force x distance θ
B
t = mB (2l sin θ)
= M B sin θ t

t = MxB
Direction of Torque is perpendicular and into the plane containing M and B.
Work done on a Magnetic Dipole (Bar Magnet) in Uniform Magnetic Field:

mB
dW = tdθ
dθ mB
= M B sin θ dθ θ1 θ2

θ2
mB
W = ∫ M B sin θ dθ mB B
θ1

W = M B (cosθ1 - cos θ2)

If Potential Energy is arbitrarily taken zero when the dipole is at 90°, then
P.E in rotating the dipole and inclining it at an angle θ is
Potential Energy = - M B cos θ

Note:
Potential Energy can be taken zero arbitrarily at any position of the dipole.
Terrestrial Magnetism:
i) Geographic Axis is a straight line passing through the geographical poles
of the earth. It is the axis of rotation of the earth. It is also known as
polar axis.
ii) Geographic Meridian at any place is a vertical plane passing through the
geographic north and south poles of the earth.
iii) Geographic Equator is a great circle on the surface of the earth, in a
plane perpendicular to the geographic axis. All the points on the
geographic equator are at equal distances from the geographic poles.
iv) Magnetic Axis is a straight line passing through the magnetic poles of
the earth. It is inclined to Geographic Axis nearly at an angle of 17°.
v) Magnetic Meridian at any place is a vertical plane passing through the
magnetic north and south poles of the earth.
vi) Magnetic Equator is a great circle on the surface of the earth, in a plane
perpendicular to the magnetic axis. All the points on the magnetic
equator are at equal distances from the magnetic poles.
Declination (θ): Geographic
The angle between the magnetic meridian and the Meridian
BH
geographic meridian at a place is Declination at that θ
place. δ
B BV
It varies from place to place.
Lines shown on the map through the places that
have the same declination are called isogonic line.
Line drawn through places that have zero declination Magnetic Meridian
is called an agonic line.

Dip or Inclination (δ):

The angle between the horizontal component of earth’s magnetic field and the
earth’s resultant magnetic field at a place is Dip or Inclination at that place.
It is zero at the equator and 90° at the poles.
Lines drawn up on a map through places that have the same dip are called isoclinic
lines.
The line drawn through places that have zero dip is known as an aclinic line. It is the
magnetic equator.
Horizontal Component of Earth’s Magnetic Field (BH ):

The total intensity of the earth’s magnetic field does not lie in any horizontal
plane. Instead, it lies along the direction at an angle of dip (δ) to the horizontal.
The component of the earth’s magnetic field along the horizontal at an angle δ
is called Horizontal Component of Earth’s Magnetic Field.
BH = B cos δ
Similarly Vertical Component is BV = B sin δ
such that B = √ BH2 + BV2

Tangent Law: B2 B
If a magnetic needle is suspended in a region
where two uniform magnetic fields are
perpendicular to each other, the needle will align N
itself along the direction of the resultant field of
θ
the two fields at an angle θ such that the tangent B1
of the angle is the ratio of the two fields.

tan θ = B2 / B1
 Comparison of Dia, Para and Ferro Magnetic materials:

DIA PARA FERRO

1. Diamagnetic substances Paramagnetic substances Ferromagnetic substances
are those substances which are those substances which are those substances which
are feebly repelled by a are feebly attracted by a are strongly attracted by a
magnet. magnet. magnet.
Eg. Antimony, Bismuth, Eg. Aluminium, Chromium, Eg. Iron, Cobalt, Nickel,
Copper, Gold, Silver, Quartz, Alkali and Alkaline earth Gadolinium, Dysprosium, etc.
Mercury, Alcohol, water, metals, Platinum, Oxygen,
Hydrogen, Air, Argon, etc. etc.

2. When placed in magnetic The lines of force prefer to The lines of force tend to
field, the lines of force tend pass through the substance crowd into the specimen.
to avoid the substance. rather than air.

N S
S N S N
2. When placed in non- When placed in non-uniform When placed in non-uniform
uniform magnetic field, it magnetic field, it moves from magnetic field, it moves from
moves from stronger to weaker to stronger field weaker to stronger field
weaker field (feeble (feeble attraction). (strong attraction).
repulsion).

3. When a diamagnetic rod When a paramagnetic rod is When a paramagnetic rod is

is freely suspended in a freely suspended in a freely suspended in a
uniform magnetic field, it uniform magnetic field, it uniform magnetic field, it
aligns itself in a direction aligns itself in a direction aligns itself in a direction
perpendicular to the field. parallel to the field. parallel to the field very
quickly.

N S N S N S
4. If diamagnetic liquid If paramagnetic liquid taken If ferromagnetic liquid taken
taken in a watch glass is in a watch glass is placed in in a watch glass is placed in
placed in uniform magnetic uniform magnetic field, it uniform magnetic field, it
field, it collects away from collects at the centre when collects at the centre when
the centre when the the magnetic poles are the magnetic poles are
magnetic poles are closer closer and collects away closer and collects away
and collects at the centre from the centre when the from the centre when the
when the magnetic poles magnetic poles are farther. magnetic poles are farther.
are farther.
5. When a diamagnetic When a paramagnetic When a ferromagnetic
substance is placed in a substance is placed in a substance is placed in a
magnetic field, it is weakly magnetic field, it is weakly magnetic field, it is strongly
magnetised in the direction magnetised in the direction magnetised in the direction
opposite to the inducing of the inducing field. of the inducing field.
field.

6. Induced Dipole Moment Induced Dipole Moment (M) Induced Dipole Moment (M)
(M) is a small – ve value. is a small + ve value. is a large + ve value.

7. Intensity of Intensity of Magnetisation (I) Intensity of Magnetisation (I)

Magnetisation (I) has a has a small + ve value. has a large + ve value.
small – ve value.

8. Magnetic permeability μ Magnetic permeability μ is Magnetic permeability μ is

is always less than unity. more than unity. large i.e. much more than
unity.
9. Magnetic susceptibility
Magnetic susceptibility cm Magnetic susceptibility cm
cm has a small – ve value. has a small + ve value. has a large + ve value.

10. They do not obey Curie’s They obey Curie’s Law. They They obey Curie’s Law. At a
Law. i.e. their properties do lose their magnetic certain temperature called
not change with properties with rise in Curie Point, they lose
temperature. temperature. ferromagnetic properties
and behave like
paramagnetic substances.

Curie’s Law:
Magnetic susceptibility of a material varies inversely with the
absolute temperature.
I α H / T or I / H α 1 / T I
cm α 1 / T
cm = C / T (where C is Curie constant)
H/T
Curie temperature for iron is 1000 K, for cobalt 1400 K and for
nickel 600 K.
Hysteresis Loop or Magnetisation Curve:
Intensity of Magnetisation (I) increases with increase in I A
Magnetising Force (H) initially through OA and reaches B
saturation at A.
When H is decreased, I decreases but it does not come to
zero at H = 0.
The residual magnetism (I) set up in the material C O F H
represented by OB is called Retentivity.
To bring I to zero (to demagnetise completely), opposite E
(negative) magnetising force is applied. This magetising
force represented by OC is called coercivity. D

After reaching the saturation level D, when the

magnetising force is reversed, the curve closes to the
point A completing a cycle.
The loop ABCDEFA is called Hysteresis Loop.
The area of the loop gives the loss of energy due to the
cycle of magnetisation and demagnetisation and is
dissipated in the form of heat.
The material (like iron) having thin loop is used for
making temporary magnets and that with thick loop (like
steel) is used for permanent magnets.
Animating Hysteresis Loop:
Courtesy - Website
End of Magnetism