LucidSTEM
IGCSE 0625 · ELECTRICITY & MAGNETISM · 4.5
Electromagnetic effects
The magnetic effect of a current, the force on a conductor and the motor, electromagnetic induction and the generator, and transformers and the grid. It brings magnetism and electricity together to run the modern world.
TOPIC 4.5: ELECTROMAGNETIC EFFECTS
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE PHYSICS 0625 · PATHWAYS
TheLucidSTEM · thelucidstem.com
BUILDS ON
4.1
Magnetism
4.2
Electrical quantities
LEADS TO
The power grid
Motors & generators
ELECTRO-
MAGNETISM
1 · MAGNETIC EFFECT OF A CURRENT
An electric current always makes a magnetic
field around it.
The field circles a straight wire.
A coil (solenoid) makes a field like a bar magnet.
More turns, more current, or an iron core make
it stronger.
Used in electromagnets, relays, and loudspeakers.
N
S
a solenoid acts like a bar magnet
2 · FORCE ON A CONDUCTOR
A current-carrying wire in a magnetic field
feels a force.
Fleming's left-hand rule gives the direction.
Reverse the current or the field and the force
reverses too.
A d.c. motor spins a coil using a split-ring.
N
S
force
current out
field N → S
3 · INDUCTION & THE GENERATOR
Moving a magnet near a coil induces an EMF.
A changing field through the coil makes a
voltage; faster motion gives more.
Reverse the motion and the EMF reverses.
An a.c. generator spins a coil between magnets
and takes current off through slip rings.
N
S
move
G
the meter shows the induced current
4 · TRANSFORMERS & THE GRID
A changing current in one coil induces a
voltage in another coil on the same core.
Vₚ / Vₛ = Nₚ / Nₛ
(Extended)
Step-up raises voltage; step-down lowers it.
The grid sends power at very high voltage so
the current is small and little is lost as heat
in the cables.
primary
secondary
more turns on the
secondary raises V
TOPIC 4.5: ELECTROMAGNETIC EFFECTS
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE PHYSICS 0625 · PATHWAYS
TheLucidSTEM · thelucidstem.com
BUILDS ON
4.1
Magnetism
4.2
Electrical quantities
LEADS TO
The power grid
Motors & generators
ELECTRO-
MAGNETISM
1 · MAGNETIC EFFECT OF A CURRENT
An electric current always makes a magnetic
field around it.
The field circles a straight wire.
A coil (solenoid) makes a field like a bar magnet.
More turns, more current, or an iron core make
it stronger.
Used in electromagnets, relays, and loudspeakers.
N
S
a solenoid acts like a bar magnet
2 · FORCE ON A CONDUCTOR
A current-carrying wire in a magnetic field
feels a force.
Fleming's left-hand rule gives the direction.
Reverse the current or the field and the force
reverses too.
A d.c. motor spins a coil using a split-ring.
N
S
force
current out
field N → S
3 · INDUCTION & THE GENERATOR
Moving a magnet near a coil induces an EMF.
A changing field through the coil makes a
voltage; faster motion gives more.
Reverse the motion and the EMF reverses.
An a.c. generator spins a coil between magnets
and takes current off through slip rings.
N
S
move
G
the meter shows the induced current
4 · TRANSFORMERS & THE GRID
A changing current in one coil induces a
voltage in another coil on the same core.
Vₚ / Vₛ = Nₚ / Nₛ
(Extended)
Step-up raises voltage; step-down lowers it.
The grid sends power at very high voltage so
the current is small and little is lost as heat
in the cables.
primary
secondary
more turns on the
secondary raises V