Where on a magnet are magnetic forces the strongest ?
at the poles
What do magnetic poles do if they are alike/opposite ?
like poles repel whilst opposite poles attract
Why are permanent magnets made of steel rather than iron or other magnetic materials ?
doesn’t lose its magnetism as quickly as other magnetic materials
What is a permanent magnet ?
a magnet that is always magnetic
- it produces its OWN magnetic field
[] bar magnets are good examples of these
What is an induced magnet ?
an unmagnetised magnetic object that becomes a magnet when placed in a magnetic field
- these magnets lose their magnetism when taken out of the magnetic field
- induced magnetism always causes a force of attraction
Which are the key four magnetic materials ?
What is a magnetic field ?
a region around a magnet where the non-contact force of magnetism acts on other magnets or magnetic materials
- the strength of the magnetic field depends on the other magnet/magnetic material’s distance from the magnet
Explain how to plot the magnetic field of a bar magnet using a compass
How can you tell that the Earth has its own magnetic field due to its core ?
When is a magnetic field produced around a CONDUCTING wire ?
when a current flows through it
How can you prove that there is a magnetic field around a conducting wire with a current through it ?
What happens to the direction of the magnetic field around a conducting wire if the direction of current is reversed ?
the direction of the magnetic field also reverses
What shape are the lines of force around a straight conducting wire with a current ?
(from above) a series of concentric (centred on the wire) circles
What does the strength of the magnetic field of a straight conducting wire depend on ?
the size of the current and distance from the wire (stronger nearer)
How can you tell the direction of the magnetic field of a wire ?
What is a solenoid ?
long coil of insulated wire
Describe the magnetic fields in and outside of a solenoid
inside:
- strong and uniform (in the same direction)
- parallel to the axis of the solenoid
outside:
- similar to a bar magnet BUT with the exception that each field line is a complete loop as it passes through the inside of the solenoid also
What is an electromagnet ?
a solenoid with current through it and an iron core
- the iron core is magnetised by the magnetic field of the solenoid/wire
- can be turned on/off
How can you increase the strength of an electromagnet/solenoid’s magnetic field ?
Give 4 examples of devices where electromagnets are used
What is a relay and how does it work ?
Describe how an electric doorbell works
How does a circuit breaker work ?
What is the motor effect ?
when an upwards force acts on a wire with a current through it whilst it is in a magnetic field
- in other words, the force acting on a wire produced by the interaction of the wire’s magnetic field due to current and another magnetic field