Properties of magnetic field lines (MFL) or magnetic lines of force
1. MFL starts from North Pole and terminate at South Pole, outside a magnet. 2. The MFL are directed from south to North Pole inside the magnet. 3. They form continuous closed loops. 4. Magnetic field strength is stronger at the poles, as the field lines are crowded here. 5. The direction of magnetic field at a point is given by the tangent drawn at that point. 6. Two MFL can never intersect each other. Because if they intersect, there are two tangents at the point of intersection. This means there are two directions of magnetic field at this point, which is not possible. Magnetic field due to a straight current carrying conductor 1. Introduction: a) Take a battery, a variable resistance (or a rheostat), an ammeter, a plug key, connecting wires and a long straight thick copper wire. b) Insert the thick wire through the center, normal to the plane of a rectangular cardboard. c) Connect the copper wire vertically between the points X and Y, in series with the other components. 2. Observation and inference: a) Sprinkle some iron filings uniformly on the cardboard. b) Close the key so that a current flows through the wire and gently tap the cardboard a few times. c) Observe the pattern of the iron filings. d) You would find that the iron filings align themselves showing a pattern of concentric circles around the copper wire. e) This proves that current produces magnetic field. 3. Conclusion: a) On increasing the current through the wire, the magnetic field strength also increases. b) On reversing the direction of current, the direction of magnetic field gets reversed too. c) Magnetic field strength at a point is inversely related to the distance from the wire. d) The direction of magnetic field around a current carrying wire is given by right hand thumb rule. e) Right hand thumb rule: Hold a current-carrying straight conductor in your right hand such that the thumb points towards the direction of current. Then your fingers will wrap around the conductor in the direction of the magnetic field. Magnetic field due to a current carrying circular coil or loop 1. Introduction: a) Take a rectangular cardboard having two holes. b) Insert a circular coil having large number of turns through them, normal to the plane of the cardboard. c) Connect the ends of the coil in series with a battery, a key and a rheostat. 2. Observation and inference: a) Sprinkle iron filings uniformly on the cardboard. b) Plug the key and tap the cardboard gently a few times. c) Note the pattern of the iron filings that emerges on the cardboard. d) This proves that current produces magnetic field. 3. Conclusion: a) MFL form concentric circles near the current carrying loop. b) At the center of the loop, the field lines are straight lines. c) MFL within the circular loop are in same direction. d) Magnetic field strength is stronger at the center as the field lines are crowded here. e) The factors affecting magnetic field due to a current carrying circular loop are: Magnetic field produced by a current-carrying circular coil Depends directly on the current passing through it. Depends directly on number of turns of the circular coil. Depends inversely on its radius. f) By reversing the direction of current, the direction of magnetic field also changes. g) The direction of magnetic field due to a current carrying circular loop is given by clock face rule. h) Clock face rule:
Magnetic field due to a current carrying solenoid
1. Solenoid: A coil of many circular turns of insulated copper wire wrapped closely in the shape of a cylinder is called a solenoid. 2. Introduction: a) Take a cardboard. b) Insert the solenoid into the cardboard by making holes accordingly. c) Connect the ends of the solenoid in series with a battery, a key and a rheostat. 3. Observation and inference: a) Sprinkle iron filings uniformly on the cardboard. b) Plug the key and tap the cardboard gently a few times. c) Note the pattern of the iron filings that emerges on the cardboard. d) This proves that current produces magnetic field. 4. Conclusion: a) A current carrying solenoid behaves like a bar magnet. b) A freely suspended current carrying solenoid will point in North-South direction. c) The field lines inside the solenoid are in the form of parallel straight lines. That is, the field is uniform inside the solenoid. d) The factors affecting magnetic field due to a current carrying circular loop are: Magnetic field produced by a current-carrying circular coil Depends directly on the current passing through it. Depends directly on number of turns of the circular coil. Nature of the core – magnetic field becomes stronger by placing a soft iron core inside the solenoid. e) Electromagnet: A strong magnetic field produced inside a solenoid can be used to magnetise a piece of magnetic material, like soft iron, when placed inside the coil. The magnet so formed is called an electromagnet. f) The direction of magnetic field due to a current carrying solenoid is given by clock face rule or right hand grip rule. g) Right hand grip rule: Hold a current-carrying solenoid in your right hand such that the finger curling points towards the direction of current through each turn of the solenoid. Then your extended thumb will give the direction of the magnetic field produced.
