Advanced Higher Physics

Electromagnetism
ELECTRIC FIELDS
Forces between Electric Charges Coulomb's Law (1785)
Forces between electric charges have been observed since earliest times. Thales of Miletus, a
Greek living in around 600 B.C., observed that when a piece of amber was rubbed, the amber
attracted bits of straw.
However, it was not until 2500 years later that the forces between charged particles were actually
measured by Coulomb using a torsion balance method. The details of Coulomb's experiment are
interesting, but his method is difficult to reproduce in a teaching laboratory.

Coulomb's Inverse Square Law

Coulomb's experiment gives the following mathematical results:
1
F  2 and F  (Q1 Q2)
r
Q Q
Thus F = k 1 2
r2

Value of k
When other equations are developed from Coulomb's Law, it is found that the product 4k
frequently occurs. Thus, to avoid having to write the factor 4 in these derived equations, it is
convenient to define a new constant o, called the permittivity of free space and is equal to 8.85 x
10-12 F m-1, such that:
1 1
o = or k = where  is the Greek letter 'epsilon'
4k 4o
k is approximately 9.0 x 109 N m2 C-2

Equation for Coulomb's inverse square law

1 Q1Q2
F = when Q1 and Q2 are separated by air
4o r2
Notes:
• Force is a vector quantity. If more than two charges are present, the force on any given charge
is the vector sum of all the forces acting on that charge.
G m1 m 2
• Coulomb's law has a similar form as the gravitational force, FG = .
r2

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 2
Example
Three identical charges A, B and C are fixed at the positions shown in the right angled triangle
below.
A

0.60 m 90° 0.80 m

B 0.10 m C

Each charge is +8 nC (i.e. +8.0 x 10-9 C) in magnitude.

(a) Calculate the forces exerted on charge A by charges B and C.
(b) Calculate the resultant force on charge A. (This means magnitude and direction)

Solution
1 QBQA -9
9 x 8 x 10 x 8 x 10
-9
(a) FBA = = 9 x 10 = 1.6 x 10-6 N
4o r2 (0.6) 2
Direction is along BA, or repulsion.
1 QCQA 9 8 x 10-9 x8 x 10-9
FCA = = 9 x 10 x = 0.90 x 10-6 N
4o r2 (0.8) 2
Direction is along CA, or repulsion

0.90 x 10-6 N
1.6 x 10-6 N
90°
F
BA
0.90 x 10-6 N
 1.6 x 10-6 N
FCA 90°
vector addition
Resultant = FBA2 + FCA2 = 1.8 x 10-6 N
0.9 x 10-4
tan  = = 0.563 thus  = 29°
1.6 x 10-4
Resultant force on charge A = 1.8 x 10-6 N at an angle of 29° as shown above.

The table below contains some atomic data for answering the questions in Tutorial 3.1.

Typical Typical
Particle Symbol Charge/C Mass/kg diameter of diameter of
atoms/m nuclei/m
proton p +e
1.60 x 10-19 1.673 x 10-27 1 x 10-10 1 x 10-15
neutron n
0 1.675 x 10-27 to to
electron e- -e
-1.60 x 10-19 9.11 x 10-31 3 x 10-10 7 x 10-15

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 3
For very small distances, for example between nucleons, there is a strong attractive nuclear force.
At distances above 1 x 10-15 m the electrostatic force comes into play. This is the force which
basically binds atoms together. At very large distances the gravitational force is dominant.

The Electric Field

The idea of a field is a useful way to visualise how charges affect one another.
We say that a charge sets up a field around itself such that it will influence other charges in that
field.

P
+ F
-F Q Q
t

Charge Qt placed at point P in the field, set up by charge Q, will experience a force F due to the
field at P. A charged object cannot experience its own electric field.

Definition of an electric field

An electric field is said to be present at a point if a force, of electrical origin, is exerted on a charge
placed at that point.

In the following work on electric fields there are two problems:

• calculating the fields set up by certain charge distributions
• calculating the force experienced by a charge when placed in a known field.

Electric Field Strength

The electric field strength E at any point is the force on unit positive charge placed at that point.
If a charge Qt, placed at point P in the electric field, experiences a force F then:

F
E= unit of E: N C-1
Qt

• The direction of E is conventionally taken as the direction in which a positive test charge would
move in the field. Thus for a positive charge, the direction of the field is away from the charge.
• The charge Qt must be small enough not to alter E.
• The unit N C-1 is equivalent to the unit V m-1, see later.
F
This is similar to the gravitational field around mass m: g = m unit of g: N kg-1.

Electric Field Lines

An electric field line is a convenient concept developed by Michael Faraday to help the
visualisation of an electric field.

• The tangent to a field line at a point gives the direction of the field at that point.
• Field lines are continuous; they begin on positive charges and end on negative charges. They
cannot cross.
• If lines are close the electric field strength is strong, if the lines are far apart the field is weak. If
lines are parallel and equally spaced the field is said to be uniform.
• Field lines cut equipotential surfaces at right angles, see later.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 4
Examples of electric field patterns
An isolated positive charge An isolated negative charge

+ −

These patterns are called radial fields. The lines are like the radii of a circle.

Two equal but opposite charges Charged parallel plates

+ −
+ −
+ − + −
+ −

The field lines are parallel and equally

spaced between the plates.
This is called a uniform field.

Equation for Electric Field Strength

Consider placing test charge Qt at a point distance r from a fixed point charge Q in a vacuum.
1 QQt
The force between the two charges is given by: F=
4o r2
Force F
But electric field strength, E is defined as Charge thus E = giving:
Qt

E= 1 Q
4π o r 2

• This equation gives the magnitude of the electric field strength around an isolated point charge;
its direction is radial. The electric field strength reduces quickly as the distance r increases
1
because E  2
r
• Electric field strength is a vector quantity. When more than one charge is present, the electric
field strength must be calculated for each charge and the vector sum then determined.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 5
Example: The Electric Dipole
A pair of charges +4.0 x 10-9 C and -4.0 x 10-9 C separated by 2.0 x 10-14 m, make up an electric
dipole. Calculate the electric field strength at a point P, a distance of 5.0 x 10-14 m from the dipole
along the axis shown.
Q1 -14
By Pythagoras, Q P = 5.1 x 10 m
+ 1
 
-14 P
2.0 x 10 m -14
5.0 x 10 m
E1
EP
E2
-
Q2
Solution
-9
1 .Q 1 . 4.0 x 10
In magnitude: E1 = E2 = = = 1.38 x 1028 N C-1
4o r2 4o (5.1 x 10 -14 ) 2
Horizontally: E1 sin  + E2 sin  = 0 since E1 and E2 are in opposite directions.
1.0 x 10-14
Vertically: EP = 2 E1 cos = 2 x 1.38 x 1028 x = 5.4 x 1027
5.1 x 10-14
Thus EP = 5.4 x 1027 N C-1

The direction of EP is given in the sketch above.

A knowledge of electric dipoles is important when trying to understand the behaviour of dielectric
materials which are used in the construction of capacitors.
An analysis of the water molecule also shows that there is a resultant electric field associated with
the oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms - water is called a polar molecule.

Potential Difference and Electric Field Strength for a uniform field

For a uniform field the electric field strength is the same at all points.

The potential difference between two points is the +

work done in moving one coulomb of charge from
one point to the other against the electric field,
i.e. from the lower plate to the upper plate.
The minimum force needed to move Q coulombs _
from the lower plate to the upper plate is QE.

Thus work = force x distance = QE x d. but work = QV by definition

thus QV = QE x d
V=Ed for a uniform field.

An alternative equation for electric field strength is E =

V with a unit of V m-1,
d
showing that the unit N C-1 is equivalent to the unit V m-1 as mentioned above.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 6
Conducting Shapes in Electric Fields

As shown in the Faraday's Ice-Pail Experiment any charge given to a conductor always resides on
the outer surface of the conductor. A direct consequence of this fact is that the electric field inside
a conductor must be zero, that is Einside = 0.

Reasoning
The field must be zero inside the conductor because if it were non-zero any charges placed inside
would accelerate in the field and move until balance was reached again. This would only be
achieved when no net force acted on any of the charges, which in turn means that the field must
be zero. This is also why any excess charge must reside entirely on the outside of the conductor
with no net charge on the inside. Also, the field outside the conductor must start perpendicular to
the surface. If it did not there would be a component of the field along the surface causing charges
to move until balance was reached.
If an uncharged conductor is placed in an electric field, charges are induced as shown below so
that the internal field is once again zero. Notice that the external field is modified by the induced
charges on the surface of the conductor and that the overall charge on the conductor is still zero.

++
++
E=0 +

uncharged conductor
uniform field
You can now see why the leaf deflection of a charged gold leaf electroscope can go down if an
uncharged metal object is brought close - the field set up by the charge on the electroscope
causes equal and opposite charges to be induced on the object.

Electrostatic shielding
If the conductor is hollow then the outer surface acts as a "screen" against any external electric
field. This principle is used in co-axial cables (shown below).
aerial
signal wire

(to T.V)

screen
The 'live' lead carrying the signal is shielded from external electric fields, i.e. interference, by the
screen lead which is at zero volts.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 7
Electrostatic Potential

To help understand this concept consider the sketch below.

Q
Qt
+ +
F
b a
To move Qt from a to b requires work from an external agent, e.g. the moving belt of a Van de
Graaff machine. This work supplied increases the electrostatic potential energy of the system.
This increase of energy depends on the size of the charge Q and on the positions a and b in the
field.

Definition of electrostatic potential

Let an external agent do work W to bring a positive test charge Qt from infinity to a point in an
electric field.

The electrostatic potential, V, is defined to be the work done by external forces in bringing unit
positive charge from infinity to that point.

W
Thus V = Q unit of V: J C-1
t
W = QtV

A potential exists at a point a distance r from a point charge; but for the system to have energy, a
charge must reside at the point. Thus one isolated charge has no electrostatic potential energy.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 8
Electrostatic Potential due to a Point Charge

To find the electrostatic potential at a point P a distance r from the charge Q we need to consider
the work done to bring a small test charge Qt from infinity to that point.
vacuum
Q P
r Qt brought from infinity
+ to point P
+
The force acting against the charge Qt increasesQt as it comes closer to Q. Calculus is used to
derive the following expression for the electrostatic potential V at a distance r due to a point
charge Q.
1 Q 1
V = Thus V  r
4o r

Notice that the expression for electrostatic potential has a very similar form to that for gravitational
potential: V = -G
m.
r

• Electrostatic potential is a scalar quantity. If a number of charges lie close to one another the
potential at a given point is the scalar sum of all the potentials at that point. This is unlike the
situation with electric field strength. Negative charges have a negative potential.
• In places where E = 0, V must be a constant at these points. We will see this later when we
consider the field and potential around charged spheres.

Electrostatic Potential Energy

Electrostatic potential at P is given by

+ P
r
V =

If a charge Qt is placed at P

electrostatic potential energy of charge Qt =

QtQ
electrostatic potential energy of charge Qt =
4π o r
A positively charged particle, if free to move in an electric field, will accelerate in the direction of the
field. This means that the charge is moving from a position of high electrostatic potential energy to
a position of lower electrostatic potential energy, losing electrostatic potential energy as it gains
kinetic energy.

The Electronvolt

This is an important unit of energy in high energy particle physics.

The electronvolt is the energy acquired when one electron accelerates through a potential
difference of 1 Volt. This energy, QV, is changed from electrical to kinetic energy.
1 electronvolt = 1.6 x 10-19 C x 1 V giving 1 eV = 1.6 x 10-19 J.
Often the unit, MeV is used; 1 MeV = 1.6 x 10-13 J.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 9
Equipotentials

This idea of potential gives us another way of describing fields.

The first approach was to get values of E, work out the force F on a charge and draw field lines. A
second approach is to get values of V, work out the electrostatic potential at a point and draw
equipotential lines or surfaces.

Equipotential surfaces are surfaces on which the potential is the same at all points; that is no work
is done when moving a test charge between two points on the surface. This being the case,
equipotential surfaces and field lines are at right angles.

The sketches below show the equipotential surfaces (solid lines) and field lines (broken) for
different charge distributions. These diagrams show 2-dimensional pictures of the field. The field is
of course 3-dimensional.

(a) an isolated charge (b) two unlike charges

(c) two like charges

Charged Spheres
For a hollow or solid sphere any excess charge will be found on its outer surface.
The graphs show the variation of both electric field strength and electrostatic potential with
distance for a sphere carrying an excess of positive charge.

The main points to remember are:

• the electric field is zero inside the sphere
1
• outside the sphere the electric field varies as the inverse square of distance from sphere; E  2
r
• the potential has a constant (non-zero) value inside the sphere
1
• Outside the sphere the potential varies as the inverse of the distance from the sphere; V  r .

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 10
Graphs of Electric Field and Electrostatic Potential

If a sphere, of radius a, carries a charge of Q coulombs the following conditions apply:

Q Q
Eoutside = where r > a; Esurface = ; and Einside = 0
4or2 4oa2
1 Q 1 Q
Voutside = where r > a. Vsurface = Vinside = .
4o r 4o a

Magnitude of electric sphere

field E
a
+Q
Esurface

E  1/r2
Einside = 0

-a a r

Electrostatic potential V V
Vsurface

V  1/r

V at  = 0
-a a r

Applications of Electrostatic Effects

There are a number of devices which use electrostatic effects, for example, copying machines,
laser printers, electrostatic air cleaners, lightning conductors and electrostatic generators.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 11
Movement of Charged Particles in Uniform Electric Fields

Charge moving perpendicular to the plates

The particle, mass m and charge Q, shown in the sketch
l opposite will experience an acceleration upwards due to
- - - - - an unbalanced electrostatic force.
Here the weight is negligible compared to the
d Q electrostatic force. The particle is initially at rest.
E + E
F EQ
+ + + + + a= = (acceleration uniform because E uniform)
m m
E is only uniform if length l >> separation d.

Ek acquired by the particle in moving distance d = Work done by the electric force
change in Ek = F x displacement
1
mv2 - 0 = Fxd where F = EQ
2
2QEd
giving the speed at the top plate, v = notice that Ed also = V
m
1
Alternatively the equation for a charged particle moving through voltage V is mv2 =
2
2QV
QV and v =
m

Charge moving parallel to plates

Consider an electron, with initial speed u,
entering a uniform electric field mid-way
between the plates:
1
using s = ut + 2 at2
horizontally: x = ut
(no force in x direction)
1
vertically: y = 2 at2
(uy = 0 in y direction)
1 x2
eliminating t: y = 2 a 2
u
F QE eE
Now, a = m = m = m
eE
Thus y = [ ] . x2
2mu2
Now since e, E, m and u are all constants we can say: y = (constant) . x2
This is the equation of a parabola. Thus the path of an electron passing between the parallel
plates is a parabola, while the electron is within the plates. After it leaves the region of the plates
the path of the electron will be a straight line.
(Note: there is no need to remember this formula. You can work out solutions to problems from
the basic equations. This type of problem is similar to projectile problems).
Applications of electrostatic deflections, in addition to those mentioned previously:
e
• deflection experiments to measure charge to mass ratio for the electron; m
• the cathode ray oscilloscope.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 12
Example - The Ink-Jet Deflection
The figure below shows the deflecting plates of an ink-jet printer. (Assume the ink drop to be very
small such that gravitational forces may be neglected).

An ink drop of mass 1.3 x 10-10 kg, carrying a charge of 1.5 x 10-13 C enters the deflecting plate
system with a speed u = 18 m s-1. The length of the plates is 1.6 x 10-2 m and the electric field
between the plates is 1.4 x 106 N C-1.
Calculate the vertical deflection, y, of the drop at the far edge of the plates.

Solution
-13
F QE
a= e = = 1.5 x 10 x 1.4 x 106 = 1615 m s-2
m m 1.3 x 10-10
t = x = 1.6 x 10-2 = 8.9 x 10-4 s
ux 18
1 1
y = 2 at2 = 2 x 1615 x (8.9 x 10-4)2
y = 6.4 x 10-4 m
y = 6.4 mm
This method can be used for the deflection of an electron beam in a cathode ray tube.

Relativistic Electrons
You may have noted that the velocity of an electron which accelerates through a potential
difference of 1 x 106 V works out to be 6.0 x 108 m s-1. This is twice the speed of light! The
equation used sets no limits on the speed of a charged particle - this is called a classical equation.
The correct equation requires us to take Special Relativity effects into account.
The equation E = mc2 applies equally well to stationary and moving particles.
Consider a particle, charge Q, accelerated through a potential difference V.
It is given an amount of kinetic energy is QV in addition to its rest mass energy, moc2, so that its
new total energy (E) is moc2 + QV.

General relativistic equation

The general equation for the motion of a charged particle is given below.
m
mc2 = moc2 + QV where m = o
2
v
1- 2
c
If we take the voltage quoted above, 1 x 106 V, and use the relativistic equation we find that the
speed of the electron works out to be 2.82 x 108 m s-1 or v = 0.94c. You can check this for
yourself.

Relativistic effects must be considered when the velocity of a charged particle is more than 10% of
the velocity of light.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 13
Head-On Collision of Charged Particle with a Nucleus

In the situation where a particle with speed v and positive charge q has a path which would cause
a head-on collision with a nucleus of charge Q, the particle may be brought to rest before it actually
strikes the nucleus.
If we consider the energy changes involved we can estimate the distance of closest approach of
the charged particle.
At closest approach change in Ek of particle = change in Ep of particle.

Position Kinetic Electrostatic

energy potential energy
+
infinity v 1 0
mv2
2
far from nucleus

closest r qQ 1
approach q + 0 4o r
+ + + Q
+ +
v=0

1 1
Change in Ek = mv2 - 0 = mv2
2 2
qQ 1 qQ 1
Change in electrostatic Ep = - 0 =
4o r 4o r
Change in Ek = change in electrostatic Ep
1 qQ 1
mv2 =
2 4o r
2qQ
and rearranging r =
4omv2

Example
Fast moving protons strike a glass screen with a speed of 2.0 x 106 m s-1. Glass is largely
composed of silicon which has an atomic number of 14.
Calculate the closest distance of approach that a proton could make in a head-on collision with a
silicon nucleus.

Solution
1 qQ . 1 2qQ 1 9
Using 2 mv2 = which gives r = and = 9.0 x 10
4o r 4omv 2 4 o
19 -19
here q = 1.6 x 10- C and Q = 14 x 1.6 x 10 C (i.e. equivalent of 14 protons)

9 2 x 1.6 x 10-19 x 14 x 1.6 x 10-19

r = 9.0 x 10 x
1.67 x 10-27 x (2.0 x 106)2
-13
r = 9.7 x 10 m.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 14
Millikan's Oil-Drop Experiment (1910 - 1913)

If possible, view a simulation of this experiment before reading this note.

The charge on the electron was measured by Millikan in an ingenious experiment. The method
involved accurate measurements on charged oil drops moving between two parallel metal plates,
see below.

atomiser
• • •
oil drops
• • •
• • •
• • •
• •
• • • •
••
••
•

+ QE
d.c. oil •
supply drop
- mg microscope

Tiny oil drops are charged as they leave the atomiser.

The drops quickly reach a steady speed and an accurate measurement of this speed allows a
value for the radius of the drop to be calculated. From this radius the volume is found, and using
the density of the oil, the mass of the drop is discovered. The drop can be kept in view by switching
on and off the voltage between the plates. For the polarity shown above, negatively charged oil
drops, can be held within the plates.

The second part of each individual experiment involved finding the p.d. needed to 'balance' the oil
drop (gravitational force equal and opposite to the electric force).
V mgd
Therefore mg = QE and E = d giving Q = V

Analysis of results
Millikan and his assistants experimented on thousands of oil drops and when all these results were
plotted it was obvious that all the charges were multiples of a basic charge. This was assumed to
be the charge on the electron. Single electron charges were rarely observed and the charge was
deduced from the gaps between 'clusters' of results where Q = ne (n = ±1, ±2, ±3 etc.)

Conclusions
• Any charge must be a multiple of the electronic charge, 1.6 x 10-19 C. Thus we say that charge
is 'quantised', that is it comes in quanta or lumps all the same size.
• It is not possible to have a charge of, say, 2.4 x 10-19 C because this would involve a fraction
of the basic charge.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 15
ELECTROMAGNETISM
Introduction
Modern electromagnetism as we know it started in 1819 with the discovery by the Danish scientist
Hans Oersted that a current-carrying wire can deflect a compass needle. Twelve years afterwards,
Michael Faraday and Joseph Henry discovered (independently) that a momentary e.m.f. existed
across a circuit when the current in a nearby circuit was changed. Also it was discovered that
moving a magnet towards or away from a coil produced an e.m.f. across the ends of the coil. Thus
the work of Oersted showed that magnetic effects could be produced by moving electric
charges and the work of Faraday and Henry showed that an e.m.f. could be produced by moving
magnets.
All magnetic phenomena arise from forces between electric charges in motion. Since electrons are
in motion around atomic nuclei, we can expect individual atoms of all the elements to exhibit
magnetic effects and in fact this is the case. In some metals like iron, nickel, cobalt and some rare
earths these small contributions from atoms can be made to 'line up' and produce a detectable
magnetic property. This property is known as ferromagnetism.

The Magnetic Field

As you have seen from gravitational and electrostatics work, the concept of a field is introduced to
deal with 'action-at-a-distance' forces.

Permanent Magnets
It is important to revise the field patterns around some of the combinations of bar magnet. (You
can confirm these patterns using magnets and iron filings to show up the field lines).

S N S N S N

isolated bar magnet opposite poles adjacent

S N N S

like poles adjacent

To establish which end of a bar magnet is the north (N) pole, float the magnet on cork or
polystyrene in a bowl of water and the end which points geographically north is the 'magnetic
north'. Similarly a compass needle, which points correctly towards geographic north, will point
towards the magnetic south pole of a bar magnet. Thus a compass needle will show the direction
of the magnetic field at a point which is defined to be from magnetic north to south.

Electromagnets
A magnetic field exists around a moving charge in addition to its electric field.
A charged particle moving across a magnetic field will experience a force.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 16
Magnetic field patterns

A straight wire A coil (solenoid)

Before the current is switched on the compass Notice the almost uniform
needles will point north. field inside the coil.

Left hand grip rule

The direction of the magnetic field, (the magnetic induction, see below) around a wire is given by
the left hand grip rule as shown below.
Sketch Direction (Left Hand Grip
Rule)
Grasp the current carrying wire
in your left hand with your
extended left thumb pointing in
the direction of the electron
flow in the wire. Your fingers
now naturally curl round in the
direction of the field lines.

Magnetic Induction
The strength of a magnetic field at a point is called the magnetic induction and is denoted by the
letter B. The direction of B at any point is the direction of the magnetic field at that point.

Definition of the Tesla, the unit of magnetic induction

One tesla (T) is the magnetic induction of a magnetic field in which a conductor of length one
metre, carrying a current of one ampere perpendicular to the field is acted on by force of one
newton.

The magnitude of the force on a current carrying conductor in a

magnetic field
The force on a current carrying conductor depends on the magnitude of the current, the magnetic
induction and the length of wire inside the magnetic field. It also depends on the orientation of the
wire to the lines of magnetic field.

F = I l Bsin where  is the angle between the wire

and the direction of the magnetic field


I

l
The force is maximum when the current is perpendicular to the magnetic induction.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 17
The direction of the force on a current carrying conductor in a magnetic field
The direction of the force is perpendicular to the plane containing the wire and the magnetic
induction. When  is 90o the force is perpendicular to both the current and the magnetic
induction.

Right hand rule: using the right hand hold the thumb and first two fingers at right angles to each
other. Point the first finger in the direction of the field, the second finger in the direction of the
electron flow, then the thumb gives the direction of the thrust, or force.
Note: the direction of the force will reverse if the current is reversed.

Example
A wire, which is carrying a current of 6.0 A, has 0.50 m of its length placed in a magnetic field of
magnetic induction 0.20 T. Calculate the size of the force on the wire if it is placed:

(a) at right angles to the direction of the field,

(b) at 45° to the to the direction of the field and,
(c) along the direction of the field (i.e. lying parallel to the field lines).

Solution

(a) F = I l B sin
B
= I l B sin90°
= 6.0 x 0.50 x 0.20 x 1
I = 6.0 A = 0.60 N

l = 0.50 m (b) F = I l B sin

= I l B sin45°
= 6.0 x 0.5 x 0.20 x 0.707
= 0.42 N

(c) if  = 0° sin = 0 F = 0 N

Magnetic induction at a distance from a long current carrying wire

The magnetic induction around an "infinitely" long current carrying conductor placed in air can be
investigated using a Hall Probe*(see footnote). It is found that the magnetic induction B varies as
I, the current in the wire, and inversely as r, the distance from the wire.

𝜇𝑜 𝐼
𝐵= where o is the permeability of free space.
2𝜋𝑟

o serves a purpose in magnetism very similar to that played by o in electrostatics. The definition
of the ampere fixes the value of o exactly.

*Footnote. A Hall Probe is a device based around a thin slice of n or p-type semiconducting
material. When the semiconducting material is placed in a magnetic field, the charge carriers
(electrons and holes) experience opposite forces which cause them to separate and collect on
opposite faces of the slice. This sets up a potential difference - the Hall Voltage. This Hall Voltage
is proportional to the magnetic induction producing the effect.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 18
Force per unit length between two parallel wires
Two adjacent current carrying wires will influence one another due to their magnetic fields.

For wires separated by distance r , the magnetic induction at wire 2 due to the current in wire 1 is:
oI1
B1 =
2r
Thus wire 2, carrying current I2 will experience a force:
F1→2 = I2 l B1 along length l

Substitute for B1 in the above equation:

oI1
F1→2 = I2 l
2r
F = oI1I2
l 2r
F is known as the force per unit length.
l

Direction of force between two current carrying wires

Wires carrying current in the same direction will attract.
Wires carrying currents in opposite directions will repel.
This effect can be shown by passing fairly large direct currents through two strips of aluminium foil
separated by a few millimetres. The strips of foil show the attraction and repulsion more easily if
suspended vertically. A car battery could be used as a supply.

Definition of the Ampere

A current of one ampere is defined as the constant current which, if in two straight parallel
conductors of infinite length placed one metre apart in a vacuum, will produce a force between the
conductors of 2 x 10-7 newtons per metre.

To confirm this definition apply

F = oI1I2 to this situation.
l 2r

1A

F 1.0 m
F

1A

Thus I1 and I2 both equal 1 A, r is 1 m and o = 4 x 10-7 N A-2.

F = 4 x 10-7 x 1 x 1 = 2 x 10-7 N m-1.
l 2 x 1
Equally, applying this definition fixes the value of o = 4 x 10-7 N A-2.
We will see later that the usual unit for o is H m-1 which is equivalent to N A-2.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 19
Comparing Gravitational, Electrostatic and Magnetic Fields

Experimental results and equations Field concept

(a) Two masses exert a force on each Either mass is the source of a
other. gravitational field and the other mass
experiences a force due to that field.

r m2
m1 m2 m1
F F

G m1 m 2
Force, F = At any point, the gravitational field
r2
strength g (N kg-1) is the force acting on
a one kg mass placed at that point.

(b) Two stationary electric charges exert a Either charge is the source of an
force on each other. electrostatic field and the other charge
experiences a force due to that field.
r + Q2
+ Q1
F
+ Q1 + Q2

Q1 Q 2
Force, F =
4  0 r 2
At any point, the electric field strength E
(N C-1) is the force acting on +1 C of
charge placed at that point.

(c) Two parallel current-carrying wires Either current-carrying wire is the

exert a force on each other. source of a magnetic field and the other
I1 current-carrying wire experiences a
force due to that field.
F I2
I1
F
B I2 experiences
r the magnetic
induction B of
I1

Force for one metre of wire, F is

 0 I 1I 2
given by F =
2 r
The force between such wires is At any point, the magnetic induction B
due to the movement of charge  I
is given by B = .
carriers, the current. 2r

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 20
Motion in a magnetic field
Magnetic Force on Moving Charges
As mentioned previously, the force on a wire is due to the effect that the magnetic field has on the
individual charge carriers in the wire. We will now consider magnetic forces on charges which are
free to move through regions of space where magnetic fields exist.

Consider a charge q moving with a constant speed v perpendicular to a magnetic field of

magnetic induction B.
charge q moving with
velocity v

B
We know that F = IlBsin
Consider the charge q moving through a distance l. (The italic l is used to avoid confusion with the
number one.)
Then time taken t =
l and current I = q = qv giving l I = qv.
v t l
Substituting into F = IlBsin with sin = 1 since  = 90o, gives:

F = qvB

The direction of the force is given by the same right hand rule mentioned for the force on a
current carrying conductor. You should be able to state the direction of the force for both positive
and negative charges.

Note: If the charge q is not moving perpendicular to the field then the component of the velocity v
perpendicular to the field must be used in the above equation.

Motion of Charged Particles in a Magnetic Field

The direction of the force on a charged particle in a magnetic field is perpendicular to the plane
containing the velocity v and magnetic induction B. The magnitude of the force will vary if the
angle between the velocity vector and B changes. The examples below illustrate some of the
possible paths of a charged particle in a magnetic field.

Charge moving parallel or antiparallel to the magnetic field

The angle  between the velocity vector and the magnetic field direction is zero hence the force
F = 0. The path is a straight line.
v
B

The direction of the charged particle is not altered.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 21
Charge moving perpendicular to the magnetic field
If the direction of v is perpendicular to B, then  = 90° and sin  = 1.
F = qvB
The direction of the force F is perpendicular to the plane containing v and B.
A particle travelling at constant speed under the action of a force at right angles to its path will
move in a circle. This central force is studied in the Mechanics unit.

The sketch below shows this situation. (Remember an X indicates that the direction of the field is
'going away' from you 'into the paper'.)

X X X X X
v
X X X X X
r
+q
X X X F X X

X X X X X

The charged particle will move in a circle, of radius r. The magnetic force supplies the central
acceleration, and maintains the circular motion.
mv2 mv
Thus: qvB = giving the radius r =
r qB
v
The frequency of the rotation can be determined using angular velocity  = and  = 2f
r
qB
and substituting in the above equation, giving f = .
2 m

Charge moving at an angle to the magnetic field

If the velocity vector v makes an angle  with B, the particle moves in a helix (spiral), the axis of
which is parallel to B.

The spiral is obtained from the sum of

two motions:

a uniform circular motion, with a constant

speed v sin  in a plane perpendicular
to the direction of B.

a uniform speed of magnitude v cos 

along the direction of B

qB 2 m
The frequency of the rotation is f = giving the period T = , the time between similar
2 m qB
points. The pitch p of the helix, shown on the sketch, is the distance between two points after one
period and is given by p = v cos  T .

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 22
Notes
• The orbit frequency does not depend on the speed v or radius r. It is dependent on the
q
charge to mass ratio ( m ) and the magnetic induction B.
• Positive charges will orbit in the opposite sense to negative charges, force F reversed.
• Particles, having the same charge but different masses, e.g. electrons and protons, entering the
magnetic field along the same line will have different radii of orbit.
• The kinetic energy of the particle in orbit is a constant because its orbital speed is constant. The
magnetic force does no work on the charges.

Deflections of charged particles in a bubble chamber

The diagram below is a sketch of a photograph taken in a bubble chamber in which there is a
strong magnetic field. The detecting medium is liquid hydrogen. The ionisation associated with fast
moving charged particles leaves a track of hydrogen gas (bubbles). The magnetic field is
perpendicular to the container. This allows positive and negative particles to separate and be
measured more easily.

The tracks of two particles

in a bubble chamber, one
electron and one positron
are created by an
incoming gamma ray
photon, .

Notice the nature and

directions of the
deflections.

As the particles lose

energy their speed
decreases and the radius
decreases.

Note: Problems involving calculations on the motion of charged particles in magnetic fields will
involve non-relativistic velocities only. Although in many practical applications electrons do
travel at high velocities, these situations will not be assessed.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 23
Applications of Electromagnetism

When electric and magnetic fields are combined in certain ways many useful devices and
measurements can be devised.

The Cyclotron
This device accelerates charged particles such as protons and deuterons. Scientists have
discovered a great deal about the structure of matter by examining high energy collisions of such
charged particles with atomic nuclei.
The cyclotron comprises two
semi-circular d-shaped
structures ('dees').

There is a gap between the

dees across which there is an
alternating voltage.

Towards the outer rim there is

an exit hole through which the
particle can escape; radius =
R. From this point the particle
is directed towards the target.

Charged particles are generated at the source S and allowed to enter the cyclotron.
Every time an ion crosses the gap between the dees it gains energy, qV, due to the alternating
voltage. For this to happen in step, the frequency of the a.c. must be the same as the cyclotron
frequency, f.
qB mv
f = and r =
2m qB
Thus, radius increases as velocity increases. At R, velocity will be a maximum.
qBR 1 q2B2R2
vmax = and Ek on exit = 2 mv2 =
m 2m

The Velocity Selector and Mass Spectrometer

Charged particles can be admitted to a region of space where electric and magnetic fields are
'crossed', i.e. mutually perpendicular. Particles can only exit via a small slit as shown below.
Magnetic field is uniform and is
directed 'into the paper'.
V
Electric field, E = d
Electric deflecting force, Fe =
qE
Beyond the exit slit, the
particles only experience a
magnetic field.

Magnetic force, Fm = qvB and its direction is as shown.

If particle is undeflected; Fm = Fe (in magnitude) thus qvB = qE
E
and v = B .
Hence only charges with this specific velocity will be selected. Note that this expression is
independent of q and m. Thus this device will select all charged particles which have this velocity.

In the mass spectrometer ions are selected which have the same speed. After leaving the
velocity selector they are deflected by the magnetic field and will move in a circle of radius
mv
r = , as shown previously. The ions tend to have lost one electron so have the same
qB

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 24
charge. Since their speed is the same the radius of a particular ion will depend on its mass. Thus
the ions can be identified by their deflection.

JJ Thomson's Experiment to Measure the Charge to Mass Ratio for

Electrons
This method uses the crossed electric and magnetic fields mentioned above.

plates of
length L
electron
s enter
at deflection y
velocity

apparatus magnetic field only

The electric field E is applied by the p.d. Vp across the plates. The separation of the plates is d
and their length is L. The current in the Helmholtz coils is slowly increased until the opposite
magnetic deflection cancels out the electric deflection and the electron beam appears undeflected.
This value of current I is noted.
Using the magnetic field only, the deflection y of the beam is noted.

For the undeflected beam: Fmag = Felec thus qvB = qE

E
giving v = B ----------- (1)
For the magnetic field only, the central force is provided by the magnetic field
2
evB = mv where r is the radius of curvature
r
e v
giving = ------------ (2)
m rB
Eliminate v between equations (1) and (2).
e E Vp Vp
m = 2 = 2 using E =
rB rB d d

The plate separation d and Vp are easily measured, r is determined from the deflection y using r =
8oNI
(L2+y2)/2y. B is found using the current I and the Helmholtz coil relation, (B = where N is
125 r
the number of turns and r the radius of the coils).

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 25
Capacitors
Capacitors in d.c. circuits

Charging

Consider the following circuit:

When the switch is closed the current flowing in the circuit and the voltage across the capacitor
behave as shown in the graphs below.

pd across
current capacitor

Supply voltage

0 0
time time

Consider this circuit when the capacitor is If the cell is taken out of t
fully charged, switch to position B switch is set to A, the cap
Discharging discharge
Consider the circuit opposite in which A A
the capacitor is fully charged: -- --
A B
++ ++
Consider this circuit when the capacitor is If the cell is taken out of the circuit and the
fully charged, switch to position B switch is set to A, the capacitor will
discharge
If the cell is shorted
A out of the circuit A
the capacitor will discharge.
-- -- B
A B A
++ ++

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 26
While the capacitor is discharging, the current in the circuit and the voltage across the capacitor
behave as shown in the graphs below:

Current pd across
capacitor Supply voltage

0 0
time
time

Although the current/time graph has the same shape as that during charging, the currents in each
case are flowing in opposite directions. The discharging current decreases because the pd across
the plates decreases as charge leaves them.

A capacitor stores charge, but unlike a cell it has no capability to supply more energy. When it
discharges, the energy stored will be used in the circuit, e.g. in the above circuit it would be
dissipated as heat in the resistor.

Factors affecting the rate of charge and discharge

The time taken for a capacitor to charge is controlled by the resistance of the resistor R (because it
controls the size of the current, i.e. the charge flow rate) and the capacitance of the capacitor
(since a larger capacitor will take longer to fill and empty). As an analogy, consider charging a
capacitor as being like filling a jug with water. The size of the jug is like the capacitance and the
resistor is like the tap you use to control the rate of flow.

The values of R and C can be multiplied together to form what is known as the time constant. Can
you prove that R × C has units of time, seconds? The time taken for the capacitor to charge or
discharge is related to the time constant.

Large capacitance and large resistance both increase the charge or discharge time.

The I/t graphs for capacitors of different value during charging are shown below:

current current

large capacitor small resistor

small capacitor large resistor

0 time 0 time

The effect of capacitance on charging current The effect of resistance on charging current

Note that since the area under the I/t graph is equal to charge, for a given capacitor the area under
the graphs must be equal.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 27
Time constant

The time it takes a capacitor to discharge through a resistor depends on capacitance C of the
capacitor and the resistance R of the resistor.

When a capacitor C is charged to a p.d. V0 it stores a charge Q0 since Q0 = CV0. When the
capacitor is discharged through resistor R the current I = V/R where V is the p.d. across C.

The current at time t during the discharge is also given by I = −dQ/dt. The negative sign indicates
that Q decreases with time.

Since I = V/R

d𝑄 𝑄
− =
d𝑡 𝐶𝑅

𝑄 d𝑄 1 𝑡
∫𝑄0 𝑄
= − 𝐶𝑅 ∫0 d𝑡

1
[ln𝑄]𝑄
𝑄0 = − [𝑡]𝑡0
𝐶𝑅

𝑄 𝑡
ln 𝑄 = − 𝐶𝑅
0

𝑄 = 𝑄0 𝑒 −𝑡/𝐶𝑅

Hence charge Q decreases exponentially with time t. Since the p.d. V across C is directly
proportional to Q it follows that 𝑉 = 𝑉0 𝑒 −𝑡/𝐶𝑅 .

In addition, since the current I in the circuit is directly proportional to V, then 𝐼 = 𝐼0 𝑒 −𝑡/𝐶𝑅 where I0
is the initial current value and I0 = V0/R.

From 𝑄 = 𝑄0 𝑒 −𝑡/𝐶𝑅 , Q decreases from Q0 to half its value Q0/2 in a time t1 given by
1
𝑒 −𝑡/𝐶𝑅 = 2 = 2−1
𝑡1 = 𝐶𝑅 ln2

Similarly Q decreases from Q0/2 to Q0/4 in time t1. Thus the time for a charge to decrease from
any value to half of that value is always the same.

The time constant T of the discharge circuit is defined as CR seconds, where C is the capacitance
in farads and R is the resistance in ohms.

Hence if t = T = CR then
1
𝑄 = 𝑄0 𝑒 −1 = 𝑒 𝑄0

Therefore the time constant can be defined as the current

time for the charge to decay to 1/e times its initial Q0
value. Since e = 2.72. 1/e = 0.37. If the time
constant is high, then the charge will decay slowly, if
the time constant is small, then the charge will
decay rapidly. 0.37
Q0
0 t1 time

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 28
An uncharged capacitor C is charged through a resistor R by a battery of e.m.f. E and negligible
internal resistance. Initially the capacitor has no charge and hence no p.d. across it. Therefore the
initial current I0 = E/R. If I is the current flowing after time t and the p.d. across the capacitor is VC
then
𝐸−𝑉𝐶
𝐼= 𝑅

But I = dQ/dt and VC = Q/C so

𝑄
𝑑𝑄 𝐸− ⁄𝐶
=
𝑑𝑡 𝑅

𝑑𝑄
𝐶𝑅 𝑑𝑡 = 𝐶𝐸 − 𝑄 = 𝑄0 − 𝑄

where Q0 = CE = the final charge on C when no current flows.

Integrating

1 𝑡 𝑄 d𝑄
∫ d𝑡 = ∫0
𝐶𝑅 0 𝑄0 −𝑄

𝑡
= −(ln[𝑄0 − 𝑄] − ln𝑄0 )
𝐶𝑅

𝑡 𝑄0 −𝑄
= −ln ( )
𝐶𝑅 𝑄0

𝑄0 −𝑄
𝑒−𝑡⁄𝐶𝑅 =
𝑄0

𝑄 = 𝑄0 (1 − 𝑒 −𝑡⁄𝐶𝑅 )

Where the time constant CR is large then it takes a long time for the capacitor to reach its final
charge, that is the capacitor charges slowly. If the time constant is small the capacitor charges
quickly. The p.d. across the capacitor VC shows the same variation as Q since VC  Q.

current
Q0

0.63
Q0

0 t1 time

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 29
Capacitors in a.c. circuits

Consider the following circuit:

multimeter set to ac current

A

multimeter set
10 k  V to ac voltage

The signal generator is set to a low frequency and the potential difference across the resistor to a
known voltage. The current in the circuit is then measured using the ammeter.

The frequency of the signal generator is altered but the potential difference kept constant and the
current measured.

I/ A

0 f / Hz

The current in the resistive remains constant with frequency with I = V/R. Resistors are unaffected
by the frequency of the supply and behave in the same way in both d.c. and a.c. circuits.

The resistor is replaced with a capacitor and the experiment repeated.

I/ A

0 f / Hz

The current in the circuit increases in direct proportion to the frequency.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 30
The opposition to current in a capacitive circuit is the capacitive reactance, XC.

Current in a capacitive circuit is determined by I = V/XC and therefore XC = V/I. XC is measured in

ohms, the same as resistance, but it is not appropriate to refer to the opposition to current in a
capacitive circuit as a resistance.

I  f and XC  1/I therefore XC  1/f.

XC = 1 / 2fC

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 31
Inductors
Electromagnetic Induction
Our present day large scale production and distribution of electrical energy would not be
economically feasible if the only source of electricity we had came from chemical sources such as
dry cells. The development of electrical engineering began with the work of Faraday and Henry.
Electromagnetic induction involves the transformation of mechanical energy into electrical energy.

A Simple Experiment on Electromagnetic Induction

Apparatus: coil, magnet, centre-zero meter
Observations

When the magnet is moving into coil -

meter needle moves to the right (say).
We say a current has been induced.

When the magnet is moving out of the

coil - induced current is in the opposite
direction (left).

Magnet stationary, either inside or

outside the coil - no induced current.

When the magnet is reversed, i.e. the

south pole is nearest the coil, - induced
current reversed.

Moving the magnet faster makes the

induced current bigger.

Note: Moving the coil instead of the magnet produces the same effect. It is the relative movement
which is important.

The induced currents that are observed are said to be produced by an induced electromotive force,
e.m.f. This electrical energy must come from somewhere. The work done by the person pushing
the magnet at the coil is the source of the energy. In fact the induced current sets up a magnetic
field in the coil which opposes the movement of the magnet.

Summary
The size of the induced e.m.f. depends on:
• the relative speed of movement of the magnet and coil
• the strength of the magnet
• the number of turns on the coil.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 32
 Growth and Decay of Current in an Inductive Circuit.

An inductor is a coil of wire

A wound on a soft iron core.
S An inductor is denoted by the
1
R letter L.
The circuit symbol is
+
Vs_ S L
2 An inductor has inductance,
see later.

Growth of current
current Switch S2 is left open.
When switch S1 is closed the ammeter
reading rises slowly to a final value,
showing that the current takes time to
Vs reach its maximum steady value. With
R no current there is no magnetic field
through the coil. When S1 is closed the
large inductance magnetic field through the coil will
increase and an e.m.f. will be
small inductance
generated to prevent this increase.
The graph opposite shows how the
time circuit current varies with time for
inductors of large and small inductance.

Decay of current
After the current has reached its steady
current value S2 is closed, and then S1 is
opened. The ammeter reading falls
Vs slowly to zero. The current does not
decay immediately because there is an
R
e.m.f. generated which tries to maintain
large inductance
the current, that is the induced current
opposes the change. The graph
small inductance opposite shows how the circuit current
varies with time for inductors of large
and small inductance.
time

Notes
• For both the growth and decay, the induced e.m.f. opposes the change in current.
• For the growth of current, the current tries to increase but the induced e.m.f. acts to prevent the
increase. It takes time for the current to reach its maximum value. Notice that the induced
e.m.f. acts in the opposite direction to the circuit current.
• For the decay of current the induced e.m.f acts in the same direction as the current in the
circuit. Now the induced e.m.f. is trying to prevent the decrease in the current.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 33
Experiment to show build up current in an inductive circuit
The switch is closed and the variable
S resistor adjusted until the lamps B1
and B2 have the same brightness.
L
+ R
The supply is switched off.
_ B1 B2 The supply is switched on again and
the brightness of the lamps
observed.

Lamp B2 lights up immediately. There is a time lag before lamp B1 reaches its maximum
brightness. An e.m.f. is induced in the coil because the current in the coil is changing. This
induced e.m.f. opposes the change in current, and it is called a back e.m.f. It acts against the
increase in current, hence the time lag.
The experiment is repeated with an inductor of more turns. Lamp B1 takes longer to light fully. If
the core is removed from the inductor, lamp B1 will light more quickly.

Induced e.m.f. when the current in a circuit is switched off

When the current in a circuit, containing an inductor, is switched off the magnetic field through the
inductor will fall very rapidly to zero. There will be a large change in the magnetic field leading to a
large induced e.m.f. For example a car ignition coil produces a high e.m.f. for a short time when
the circuit is broken.

Lighting a neon lamp

The 1.5 V supply in the circuit below is insufficient to light the neon lamp. A neon lamp needs
about 80 V across it before it will light.

The switch is closed and the

current builds up to its maximum
1.5 value. When the switch is
V opened, the current rapidly falls
to zero. The magnetic field
through the inductor collapses
(changes) to zero producing a
very large induced e.m.f. for a
short time. The lamp will flash.

Self inductance
A current in a coil sets up a magnetic field through and round the coil. When the current in the coil
changes the magnetic field changes. A changing magnetic field induces an e.m.f across the coil.
This is called a self induced e.m.f. because the coil is inducing an e.m.f. in itself due to its own
changing current.

The coil, or inductor as it is called, is said to have the property of inductance, L.

The inductance of an inductor depends on its design. Inductance is a property of the device itself,
like resistance of a resistor or capacitance of a capacitor. An inductor will tend to have a large
inductance if it has many turns of wire, a large area and is wound on an iron core.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 34
Circuit symbols for an inductor
An inductor is a coil of wire which may be wound on a magnetic core, e.g. soft iron, or it may be air
cored.
Inductor with a core Inductor without a core

Conservation of Energy and Direction of Induced e.m.f.

In terms of energy the direction of the induced e.m.f. must oppose the change in current. If it
acted in the same direction as the increasing current we would be able to produce more current for
no energy! This would violate the conservation of energy.

The source has to do work to drive the current through the coil. It is this work done which appears
as energy in the magnetic field of the coil and can be obtained when the magnetic field collapses,
e.g. the large e.m.f. generated for a short time across the neon lamp.

Lenz's Law.
Lenz’s laws summarises this. The induced e.m.f. always acts in such a direction as to oppose the
change which produced it. Anything which causes the magnetic field in a coil to change will be
opposed.

An inductor is sometimes called a ‘choke’ because of its opposing effects.

However it must be remembered that when the current decreases the effect of an inductor is to try
and maintain the current. Now the induced e.m.f. acts in the same direction as the current.

Magnetic flux - an aside to clarify terminology

Magnetic flux may be thought of as the number of lines of magnetic field which pass through a coil.

Large magnetic flux, Small magnetic flux,

many lines through the only a few lines through
coil
Faradays laws refer to the magnetic flux  rather than the magnetic induction B. His two laws are
given below.
1. When the magnetic flux through a circuit is changing an e.m.f. is induced.
2. The magnitude of the induced e.m.f. is proportional to the rate of change of the magnetic
flux.

Magnitude of the induced e.m.f.

The self-induced e.m.f. E in a coil, when the current I changes is given by

dI where L is the inductance of the coil.

E = -L
dt

The negative sign indicates that the direction of the e.m.f. is opposite to the change in current.
The inductance of an inductor can be determined experimentally by measuring the e.m.f. and rate
of change of current,
dI .
dt

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 35
Definition of Inductance
The inductance L of an inductor is one henry (H) when an e.m.f. of one volt is induced across the
ends of the inductor when the current in the inductor changes at a rate of one ampere per second.

A comment on units
The unit for permeability o was stated to be N A-2 with a usual unit of H m-1. From the above
formula, in terms of units, we can see that for the e.m.f (joules per coulomb)

J C-1 = H A s-1 which is N m (A s)-1 = H A s-1

giving N m A-1 s-1 = H A s-1 and N A-2 = H m-1 (the s-1 cancels)

Energy stored by an Inductor

In situations where the current in an inductor is suddenly switched off large e.m.f.s are produced
and can cause sparks. At the moment of switch off the change in current is very large. The
inductor tries to maintain the current as the magnetic field collapses and the energy stored by the
magnetic field is given up. A magnetic field can be a source of energy. To set up the magnetic
field work must have been done.

Equation for the energy stored in an inductor

For an inductor with a current I the energy stored is given by the equation below:

Energy =
1 L I2
2
where L is the inductance of the inductor and I the steady current.

Example
An inductor is connected to a 6.0 V direct supply which has a negligible internal resistance. The
inductor has a resistance of 0.8 . When the circuit is switched on it is observed that the current
increases gradually. The rate of growth of the current is 200 A s-1 when the current in the circuit is
4.0 A.

resistance of
+ inductor 0.8 
_ 6V L

(a) Calculate the induced e.m.f. across the coil when the current is 4.0 A.
(b) Hence calculate the inductance of the coil.
(c) Calculate the energy stored in the inductor when the current is 4.0 A.
(d) (i) When is the energy stored by the inductor a maximum?
(ii) What value does the current have at this time?

Solution
(a) Potential difference across the resistive element of the circuit V = I R
= 4 x 0.8 = 3.2 V
Thus p.d. across the inductor = 6.0 - 3.2 = 2.8 V

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 36
 dI 2.8
(b) Using E = - L dt gives L = 200 = 0.014 H = 14 mH
1
(c) UsingE = 2 L I2 = 0.5 x 0.014 x 4 x 4 = 0.11 J
(d) (i) The energy will be a maximum when the current reaches a steady value.
(ii) Imax =
e.m.f = 6.0 = 7.5 A
R 0.8

Inductors in a.c. circuits

In an a.c. circuit the current is continually changing. This means that the magnetic field through the
inductor is continually changing. Hence an e.m.f. is continually induced in the coil.

Consider the applied alternating voltage at the point in the cycle when the voltage is zero. As the
current tries to increase the induced e.m.f. will oppose this increase. Later in the cycle as the
voltage decreases the current will try to fall but the induced e.m.f. will oppose the fall. The induced
e.m.f. produced by the inductor will continually oppose the current.

If the frequency of the applied voltage is increased then the rate of change of current increases.
The magnitude of the induced e.m.f. will also increase. Hence there should be a greater
opposition to the current at a higher frequency.

Frequency response of inductor

 An inductor is connected
in series with an
alternating supply of
variable frequency and
constant amplitude.
A Readings of current and
frequency are taken.

As the frequency is increased the current is observed to decrease. The opposition to the current is
greater at the higher frequencies. Graphs of current against frequency and current against
1/frequency are shown below.
current current

0 0 1/frequency
frequency

Note: these graphs show the inductive effects only. Considering the construction of an inductor, it
is likely that the inductor has some resistance. A 2400 turns coil has a resistance of about 80 .
The opposition to the current at ‘zero’ frequency will be the resistance of the inductor. In practice if
readings were taken at low frequencies, the current measured would be a mixture of the inductive
and resistive effects.

An inductor can be used to block a.c. signals while transmitting d.c. signals, because the inductor
produces large induced e.m.f.s at high frequencies.
For a capacitor in an a.c. circuit the current increases when the frequency increases. The
inductor has the opposite effect to a capacitor.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 37
Reactance
The reactance of a capacitor or an inductor is its opposition to alternating current.
The resistance of a resistor is given by R =
V.
I
The reactance of an inductor or capacitor is given by X =
V (X or X respectively).
L C
I
The opposition of a capacitor, the capacitive reactance, decreases as the frequency increases.
At high frequencies there is a greater transfer of charge per second on and off the capacitor plates.
For an inductor, the inductive reactance increases with frequency. At higher frequencies there is
a larger induced e.m.f. opposing the current.

Current in an inductive circuit is determined by I = V/XL and therefore XL = V/I. XL is measured in

ohms, the same as resistance, but it is not appropriate to refer to the opposition to current in a
capacitive circuit as a resistance.

I  1/f and XL  1/I therefore XL  f.

XL = 2fC

In inductive and capacitive circuits reactances and resistance cannot be added arithmetically.
There are phase differences between inductive and capacitive reactances and resistances and
therefore vector addition must be used. The total impedance Z, measured in ohms, in an a.c.
circuit is given by:

𝑍 = √(𝑋𝐿 − 𝑋𝐶 )2 + 𝑅 2

Uses of inductors and capacitors in a.c. circuits

The circuit below shows a capacitor and inductor in series with an alternating supply.

L VL

C VC

At low frequencies the opposition to the current by the inductor is low, so the p.d across L will be
low. At low frequencies the opposition to the current by the capacitor is high so the p.d. across C
will be high. At low frequencies XL<XC.

At high frequencies, the reverse is the case. The p.d. across the inductor VL will be the higher than
the p.d. across the capacitor. At high frequencies XL>XC.

This circuit could be used to filter high and low frequency signals.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 38
Cross-over Networks in Loudspeakers

Capacitor C1
allows high
C1 frequency signals
to pass to
LS1 loudspeaker LS1.
L
High frequency
signals can also
pass more easily
through capacitor
C2 than
loudspeaker LS2.

Low frequency
C2 LS2 signals are
‘blocked’ by C1
and C2 but pass
easily through
inductor L to
loudspeaker LS2.

Capacitors in Radio Circuits

aerial diode (decoder)

to amplifier

L C1 C2

Capacitor C1 is a variable capacitor, which when used in conjunction with inductor L, allows the
radio to be tuned to one particular radio frequency. Capacitor C2 allows the high frequency radio
carrier signal to flow to earth but ‘blocks’ the low frequency audio signal which must then pass on
to the amplifier and loudspeaker of the radio.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 39
Amplifier Bias Network

+Vs
When an a.c. signal is to
be amplified by a simple
transistor amplifier the a.c.
signal should be input to
the transistor via a
Vout capacitor.

Vin The capacitor will allow the

a.c. signal to pass but
‘block’ any unwanted d.c.
signal.

0V

The transformer

The principle of operation of the transformer can be given in terms of induced e.m.f.

soft iron soft iron

core core
S S
d.c. a.c.
supply supply

primary centre zero a.c.

primary
coil meter ammeter
coil
secondary secondary
coil coil

When S is closed, the meter needle With an a.c. supply the current is
‘kicks’ momentarily then returns to continually changing. This sets up a
zero. When the current is steady the continually changing magnetic field
meter reads zero. When S is opened, in the soft iron core. Hence an
the meter needle kicks briefly in the induced e.m.f. is produced in the
opposite direction and returns to zero. secondary coil.
A changing magnetic field is From the conservation of energy the
produced in the coil when the current direction of the induced e.m.f. will
changes. This changing magnetic oppose the change which sets it up.
field will produce an induced e.m.f. Hence the direction of a current in
during this short time. However when the secondary, at any time, will
the current is steady, there is no always be in the opposite direction to
changing field hence no induced the current in the primary.
e.m.f.
We can now understand why a transformer only operates with an alternating supply.
The transformer is an example of mutual inductance.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 40
The unification of electricity and magnetism

In the 1860s James Clerk Maxwell unified electricity and magnetism using four equations.
One of the outcomes of these equations was the prediction of electromagnetic waves.

Electromagnetic waves have both electric and magnetic field components which oscillate
in phase, perpendicular to each other and to the direction of energy propagation.

The diagram below shows a 3-dimensional picture of such a wave.

The above diagram shows the variation of the electric field strength, E, in the x-y plane
and the variation of the magnetic induction, B, in the x-z plane.

Maxwell’s equations result in the relationship between the speed of light and the
permittivity and permeability of free space.

1
𝑐=
√𝜇0 𝜖0

This means that all electromagnetic waves, regardless of frequency or wavelength, travel
at a constant speed in a vacuum.

1
𝑐=
√4𝜋×10−7 ×8·85×10−12

c = 3·00 × 108 m s−1

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 41
Permittivity and Permeability of Free Space

Expressions for the electric and magnetic fields in free space contain the electric
permittivity ε0 and magnetic permeability μ0 of free space.

These two quantities are not independent but are related to "c", the speed of light and
other electromagnetic waves.

The magnetic constant μ0 = 4π x 10-7 T m/A is called the permeability of free space.
The permeabilities of most materials are very close to μ0, since most materials will be
classified as either paramagnetic or diamagnetic.

Diamagnetic

Materials are slightly repelled by a magnetic field and the material does not retain the
magnetic properties when the external field is removed. In diamagnetic materials all the
electrons are paired so there is no permanent net magnetic moment per atom.
Diamagnetic properties arise from the realignment of the electron paths under the
influence of an external magnetic field. Most elements in the periodic table, including
copper, silver, and gold, are diamagnetic.

Paramagnetic

Materials are slightly attracted by a magnetic field and the material does not retain the
magnetic properties when the external field is removed. Paramagnetic properties are due
to the presence of some unpaired electrons, and from the realignment of the electron
paths caused by the external magnetic field. Paramagnetic materials include magnesium,
molybdenum, lithium, and tantalum.

Ferromagnetic

Materials exhibit a strong attraction to magnetic fields and are able to retain their magnetic
properties after the external field has been removed. Ferromagnetic materials have some
unpaired electrons so their atoms have a net magnetic moment. They get their strong
magnetic properties due to the presence of magnetic domains. In these domains, large
numbers of atom's moments (1012 to 1015) are aligned parallel so that the magnetic force
within the domain is strong. When a ferromagnetic material is in the unmagnitised state,
the domains are nearly randomly organised and the net magnetic field is zero. When a
magnetising force is applied, the domains become aligned to produce a strong magnetic
field within the material. Iron, nickel, and cobalt are examples of ferromagnetic materials.

In ferromagnetic materials the permeability may be very large and it is convenient to

characterise these materials using a relative permeability.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 42
Having established the magnetic permeability, the electric permittivity can be calculated
from the relationship

c = 1/√(ε0μ0)
where the speed of light is given by
c=2.99792458 x 108 m/s (exact)

This gives a value of free space permittivity

ε0 = 8.854187817 x 10-12 F/m
which in practice is often used in the form

k = 1/4 π ε0 = 8.987552 X109 Nm2/C2 = Coulomb's constant

These expressions contain the units F for Farad, the unit of capacitance, and C for
Coulomb, the unit of electric charge.

The electric permittivity is

• connected to the energy stored in an electric field
• involved in the expression for capacitance because it affects the amount of charge
which must be placed on a capacitor to achieve a certain net electric field.

In the presence of a polarisable medium, it takes more charge to achieve a given net
electric field and the effect of the medium is often stated in terms of a relative permittivity.

The magnetic permeability is connected to the energy stored in a magnetic field. It is

involved in the expression for inductance because in the presence of a magnetisable
medium, a larger amount of energy will be stored in the magnetic field for a given current
through the coil. The effect of the medium is often stated in terms of a relative
permeability.

AH Physics: Electromagnetism 43