Key Terms Definitions

Physics Knowledge Organiser Permanent A magnet that always has its own magnetic field. Attracts
P15 - Electromagnetism magnet magnetic materials, and can attract or repel other magnets.
Induced A temporary magnet: make one by putting a suitable material
Magnets magnet in a magnetic field.
The ends of a magnet. Named north and south, based on
The poles of a magnet are where the magnetic forces are strongest. This is because the magnetic field lines
are most concentrated at the poles, as you can see on the diagram below. Poles which way on Earth they’d point if suspended freely. The
other name is ‘north seeking’ or ‘south seeking’ as a result.
Magnets exert forces on one another when they are brought together: a non-contact force. If like poles (N-
The region around a magnet where a force acts on other
N or S-S) are brought together, the force is of repulsion. If unlike poles are brought together (N-S), the force
is of attraction.
Magnetic field magnets or on magnetic materials. (3D, unlike diagrams
usually show)
Magnets can be classified as permanent or induced (temporary). Permanent magnets have their own
A small bar magnet balanced on a pin so it can spin around.
magnetic field, and it doesn’t go away. Induced magnets are made when a material is placed in a magnetic
field. (In most cases, this needs to be a magnetic material. The only magnetic materials are iron, steel,
Magnetic Points towards Earth’s magnetic north due to Earth’s
cobalt and nickel.) Induced magnets are always attracted to the magnet that turned them into a magnet – compass magnetic field, but can also be used to find the direction of a
this is why you can pick up paper clips or nails with a bar magnet: the paper clip becomes an induced magnetic field for another magnet.
magnet with poles that are aligned so there is a force of attraction. See the poles labelled on the diagram.
Induced magnetism is quickly lost when the material is removed from the magnetic field that induced it. Permanent magnet
Magnetic field stronger at the
poles because the field lines
Magnetic fields are more concentrated.

Magnetic fields are around all magnets (permanent or induced). The direction of the magnetic,
as the diagram shows, is from north to south. The north pole of a magnet is properly defined as:
the pole that causes a force away from it, if a north pole is placed at that end. This makes sense
when you remember that like poles repel. So you can decide which end in north on an ‘unknown
magnet’ by looking at the direction of the force that acts if a north pole (on another magnet) is
brought to one end of your magnet. Repulsion (force away) means that end must be a north
pole. Sometimes the north pole is called the north seeking pole, because it will point north on
Earth if left freely suspended. A magnetic compass
shows the direction of
Magnetic fields are strongest at the poles and get weaker as the distance from the magnet a magnetic field
increases. Using a magnetic compass (sometimes called a plotting compass), we can find out the
direction of a magnetic field – the diagram shows how to do this.

Earth has a magnetic field. Using a compass, you can tell that the magnetic field points towards
the north pole (Santa’s house), so this actually means that the geographic north pole of Earth is a
south pole of a magnet! See diagram.

Furthermore, we know it is the core of the Earth that is magnetic (not the whole thing) because a
compass at the north pole (in the Arctic circle) points down below your feet. It is worth realising,
too, that the geographic north pole (the top of Earth’s axis) is in a different location to ‘magnetic
north’ – the latter is actually in northern Canada. So a magnetic compass actually wouldn’t be
much use if you were trying to get to Father Christmas’s house.
 Key Terms Definitions
Physics Knowledge Organiser
P15 - Electromagnetism Current
The rate of flow of charges in a circuit. If a current is flowing
in a component, charges (e.g. electrons) are flowing through
it.
Electromagnetism – current and magnetic fields A coil of wire.
Solenoid
A wire that is carrying a current has a magnetic field around it. No current means no magnetic Iron core A piece of iron placed in the middle of a solenoid.
field, but switch it on and you get a magnetic field. As the diagram shows, switching the direction
of the current switches the direction of the magnetic field. Also notice that the magnetic field Electromagnet A coil of wire with an iron core
gets stronger as you get closer to the wire carrying the current – this is shown by the field lines
getting closer together (more concentrated).

Not surprisingly, increasing the current increases the strength of the magnetic field. You can
easily check the direction of the magnetic field with a magnetic compass, just like with bar
magnets. We can dramatically increase the strength of the magnetic field by winding the
current-carrying wire into a coil called a solenoid. Even with the same size current, the magnetic
field is stronger in a solenoid. Once you’ve made a solenoid, notice that the magnetic field is very
similar in shape to the magnetic field of a bar magnet – it has a north and south pole, and it
strongest at the poles. The magnetic field is also strong inside the coil – as the concentrated field
lines show.

We can increase the strength of the magnetic field even further by putting a magnetic (e.g. iron)
core in the solenoid – literally a cylinder of iron. We call this an electromagnet. (see diagram)

You can make an electromagnet stronger by: In school, an iron

• Increasing the current in the wire (probably by increasing the potential difference of the nail is an easy
power supply) choice for the iron
• Increasing the length of wire in the solenoid – perhaps by adding more turns to the coil of core of an
wire. electromagnet.

A north pole, since

another north pole
brought to this end
would be repelled.
 Key Terms Definitions
Physics Knowledge Organiser
P15 – Electromagnetism (Higher Only) Motor effect
The forces exerted on each other by a wire carrying a
current and a magnetic field, thanks to the two magnetic
fields interacting.
Fleming’s left hand rule and the motor effect
A measure of the strength of a magnetic field – think of it as
Magnetic flux
If you have a current-carrying wire and a permanent magnet, each have their own magnetic the number of magnetic field lines going through a set area
density
fields. This means that if you put them near each other, there’ll be a force acting on each other – – see diagram to help explain.
just thanks to magnetic attraction or repulsion. This is called the motor effect. You can work out
the direction that the force acts if you know the direction of the magnetic field and the direction Device that causes rotation of a coil of wire carrying a
Electric motor
of the current – we use Fleming’s left hand rule. It has to be your left had to work. Hold it as current when it is placed in a magnetic field.
shown, and you can work out the direction of whichever thing you don’t know. You have to think
in three dimensions here. You can twist your hand at the wrist to get it right – confirm using the Equation Meanings of terms in equation
example of the wire cutting through the magnetic field in the diagram – field from N to S with
first finger, current with middle finger pointing downwards, meaning force must be out of the F = force (newtons, N)
page towards you, like the diagram shows. 𝐹 =𝐵𝐼l B = magnetic flux density (tesla, T)
I = current (amps, A)
Now, the size (or magnitude) of the force on the conductor (the bit of wire) depends on three
factors: l = length (m)
1. The length of the wire in the magnetic field, measured in metres
2. The strength of the magnetic field (formally, the magnetic flux density, in teslas, T)
3. The size of the current (A, as usual).

As the equation shows, increasing any or all of these factors will increase the size of the force on
the conductor. [NB this equation only applies when the current and magnetic field are at right
angles to each other]

Electric motors
The direction of each
Electric motors make use of the motor effect. A coil of wire quantity fits with the
carrying a current is placed in a magnetic field; as you know, left hand rule
the magnetic fields interact to cause a force each other. If
Fleming’s left hand
the coil is set up so it can spin, it most certainly will. In fact,
it will spin round and round (rotate). This is thanks to the rule. FBI – easy to
force acting up on one side of the coil, and down on the remember!
other – see the diagram and use Fleming’s left hand rule to
understand why…

The magnetic field goes from N to S of course, and the

arrows on the coil show the direction of the current. So, the
left side of the coil has a force downwards exerted on it
(use the left hand rule). The right side of the coil has a force
upwards exerted on it, so it rotates as shown. (NB the Magnetic flux density is larger at A than B
commutator just allows the coil to spin without the wires since more magnetic field lines cut through a
getting tangled up!) given area (shown by the oval).
 Key Terms Definitions
Physics Knowledge Organiser
P15 – Electromagnetism (Physics Only) Moving coil
Describes a loudspeaker that involves a coil of wire moving
in a magnetic field, to vibrate a cone and produce sound
waves.
Loudspeakers and microphones
Induce To cause something to happen.
The motor effect is also put to good use in loudspeakers and headphones. They have a ‘moving coil’ which
moves in a magnetic field according to the current running through the coil. This moving coil is connected
Alternating potential difference – the direction of the
AC
to a cone that moves with it. The cone causes vibrations in the air around it – in other words, it causes current switches back and forth.
sound waves. Microphones do the exact opposite: sound waves (pressure variations) cause the cone the
Literally a cone-shaped piece of material found in
move, which causes a changing current in the coil.
Cone loudspeakers. They vibrate, causing pressure changes in the
air – i.e. sound waves.
Study the diagram. Just like in a motor, a force is
produced on the coil of wire by placing it in a A potential difference caused by either: a) moving a coil in a
magnetic field (that’s a permanent magnet at the Induced
magnetic field, or b) changing the magnetic field around a
bottom) and turning on the current. As the current potential
coil.
alternates in direction (i.e. AC is used), and the size of
the current is varied, the coil moves back and forth. Generator Using the interaction between a magnetic field and a
As you can see, the coil is joined to a cone, which effect conductor to generate electric current.
moves with it. The cone vibrates the air according to
the current, then. The current transfers the
information about the sound being played.

Induced potential and the generator effect

You can switch the motor effect around – instead of using interacting magnetic fields
to produce movements, you can use movements to produce a current in a wire.
Here’s how it works:
1. Place a conductor (e.g. coil of wire/solenoid) in a magnetic field and move it
around (e.g. rotate the coil)
2. OR keep the coil still but change the magnetic field (e.g. flip N and S back and
forth)
3. Either of these induces a potential difference across the ends of the conductor
4. Assuming your conductor is part of a complete circuit, a current starts to flow in
the conductor thanks to this potential difference.
This is called the GENERATOR EFFECT, because the method is used to generate Factors affecting induced potentials
electricity. It is also known as electromagnetic induction.
The size of the induced potential in the generator effect depends on:
Now, importantly, the current in the conductor produces a magnetic field, as always. • The size/strength of the magnetic field (larger magnetic field  larger induced potential)
But the direction of the magnetic field acts to oppose the change, the ‘change’ being • The number of turns on the solenoid (more turns  larger induced potential)
the original 1 or 2 from the steps above. This is shown in the diagram right. • The speed of movements/changes to magnetic fields (faster  larger induced potential)
 Key Terms Definitions
Physics Knowledge Organiser
P15 – Electromagnetism (Physics Only) National Grid
A system of cables and transformers linking power stations
to consumers of electricity. The National Grid is used to
transfer electrical power from the power stations to users.
Using the generator effect
Device used in dynamo, made of two half-rings of
Depending on the set-up, you can use the generator effect to generate ac or dc. Commutator conductor, not quite joined up to each other. Keeps the
ac is generated in an alternator. In this set-up, each end of the coil of wire spin inside, and current flowing one way only.
make contact with, a complete loop of conductor that’s connected to the rest of the circuit.
Since every 180o of turn of the coil the current flips direction (just like the left hand rule tells Device that increases potential difference in an electric
Step-up
us), you get ac. This is shown on the diagram below, with a graph showing alternating supply, using more turns on the secondary coil than the
transformer
potential difference. primary coil. Step-down transformers do the opposite.
dc is generated in a dynamo. To prevent the current flipping direction every half-turn, a
clever commutator is used. This ensures the current is restricted to one direction only in the
coil – i.e. direct potential difference. See second diagram and graph. Equation Meanings of terms in equation

Vp = potential difference across primary coil (V)

𝑉𝑃 𝑁𝑃 Vs = potential difference across secondary coil (V)
𝑉𝑠 =𝑁𝑠 Np = number of turns on primary coil
Ns = number of turns on secondary coil
Vp = potential difference across primary coil (V)
Vs = potential difference across secondary coil (V)
𝑉𝑝 × 𝐼𝑝 = 𝑉𝑠 × 𝐼𝑠
Ip = current in primary coil (A)
Is = current in secondary coil (A)

Transformers
Transformers exist to firstly, massively increase the p.d.
of electric power to transmit it efficiently through
cables from power stations, then, secondly, to
dramatically decrease it again for safe use by
consumers. They work using the second sort of
generator effect – a changing magnetic field inducing a
p.d. in a conductor nearby. Transformers are made of
two coils of wire, wrapped around each end of a
square-shaped iron core. Iron is used because it is easily
magnetised. An alternating current in the primary coil Transformer equations
causes a magnetic field in this coil, that constantly
changes direction. This in turn induces a changing In transformers, the ratio of the potential differences across the coils
magnetic field in the iron core, which then induces a is equal to the ratio of the number of turns on each coil. This is shown
in the first equation.
changing magnetic field (and therefore current) in the
secondary coil. Assuming transformers are 100% efficient, the power input is equal to
the power output. This leads to the second equation (since P = IV).