Force On A Current - Carrying Conductor In A Magnetic Field

1. We have learned that when current flows in a conductor, a magnetic field will be
generated.
2. When the current-carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field, the interaction
between the two magnetic fields will produce a resultant field known as the catapult
field as shown in the figure below.

3. The catapult field is a non-uniform field where the field at one side is stronger than
the other side.
4. As a result, a force is produced to move the current carrying conductor from the
stronger field to the weaker field.
5. The force produced by a catapult field is called the catapult force.
6. The direction of the force can be determined by Fleming's left hand rule as shown in
Figure below.

7. The fore finger, middle finger and the thumb are perpendicularly to each other. The
forefinger points along the direction of the magnetic field, middle finger points in the
current direction and the thumb points along the direction of the force.
8. The strength of the force can be increased by:
a. Increase the current
b. Using a stronger magnet
c. using a longer wire
d. arranging the wire perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field.
Turning Effect Of A Current Carrying Coil In A Magnetic Field

1. If a current carrying coil is placed in a magnetic field (As shown in diagram above), a
pair of forces will be produced on the coil. This is due to the interaction of the
magnetic field of the permanent magnet and the magnetic filed of the current carrying
coil.
2. The diagram below shows the catapult field produced.

3. The direction of the force can be determined by Fleming's left hand rule.
4. Since the current in both sides of the coil flow in opposite direction, the forces
produced are also in opposite direction. The 2 forces in opposite direction constitute
a couple which produces a turning effect to make the coil rotate.
5. Examples of electric equipment whose operation is based on this turning effect are
a. the direct current motor
b. the moving coil meter.
c. The loud speaker
a. Direct Current Motor

1. An electric motor converts electrical energy to kinetic energy.

2. Diagram above shows the structure of a simple direct current motor (DC motor).
3. It consist a rectangular coil of wire placed between 2 permanent magnets.
4. The coil are soldered to a copper split ring known as commutator. 2 carbon brushes
are held against the commutator.
5. The function of the brush is to conduct electricity from the external circuit to the coil
and allow the commutator to rotate continuously.
6. The function of the commutator is to change the direction of the current in the coil
and hence change the direction of the couple (the 2 forces in opposite direction) in
every half revolution. This is to make sure that the coil can rotate continuously.

b. Moving coil meter

Light Indicator
A light indicator which has lower inertia is used to increase the sensitivity of the meter.

Linear Scale
1. Due to the radial magnetic field and the cylindrical soft-iron core, a linear scale is
produced.
2. A linear scale is more accurate and easier to be read.

Mirror
1. A mirror is used to prevent parallax error.
2. When the observer's eye is exactly above the indicator, the indicator will cover its
own image on the mirror.
3. This can used to prevent parallax error.

Curved Permanent Magnet

1. A curved permanent magnet is used to produce a radial field.
2. A radial field is a magnetic field where the field lines are either pointing away or
toward the center of the field.
3. A radial can be focused by a cylindrical soft-iron core.
Rectangular Coils
1. When a current flows through the coils, a force will be generated due to the
interaction between the magnetic field of the permanent magnet and the coil.
2. The force will turn the coils, which in turn move the indicator.

Cylindrical Soft-Iron Core

1. A cylindrical soft iron core is placed inside the radial field produced by the curved
magnet.
2. A soft-iron core can focus the magnetic field of the permanent magnet.

Hair Spring
1. The deflection of the coil and the indicator stops when the force is balanced by the
opposing force from the hair spring.
2. The angle of deflection is directly proportional to the magnitude of the current in the
coil.

c. Loud speaker

1. The loud speaker contains a cylindrical coil which is free to move in a radial magnetic
field set up by a strong cylindrical permanent magnet.
2. The magnet has a central South Pole and a surrounding North Pole. The field lines
are therefore radial and at right angles to the turns of the-coil.
3. When varying the current flows through the coil, a force of varying magnitudes will
act on the coil. This will cause the coil to move to and fro according to the magnitude
of the force.
4. The paper cone then vibrates to produce sound waves.
Force Between 2 Current-Carrying Conductors

1. When 2 current carrying conductors are placed close to each other, a force will be
generated between them.
2. If the current in both conductors flow in the same direction, they will attract each
other, whereas if the current are in opposite direction, they will repel each other.
3. This force is due to the interaction between the magnetic field of the 2 conductor.
4. The figure below shows the catapult field produced by 2 current carrying conductors
when their current is in the same direction or opposite direction.

(Magnetic field generated when 2 current carrying conductors with currents move in the
same direction are brought close to each other. The field will cause the 2 conductors
attract each other)

(Magnetic field generated when 2 current carrying conductors with currents move in the
opposite direction are brought close to each other. The field will cause the 2 conductors
repel each other)

Summary:

1. A force will be produced between 2 current carrying conductors.

2. If the currents are in the same direction, the 2 wire will attract each other.
3. If the current are in opposite direction, the 2 wire will repel each other.