Flash Cards: Magnetic Effects of Electric Current

Electric current flowing through a conductor generates a magnetic field around it.

Hans Christian Oersted discovered that electric current causes deflection in a compass needle in 1820.

Magnetic field lines are the paths along which the north pole of a compass needle points, representing the magnetic field.

Close lines indicate a strong magnetic field, while spaced lines indicate a weaker field.

If you hold a current-carrying conductor with your right hand, with your thumb pointing in the direction of the current, your fingers curl in the direction of the magnetic field.

The direction of the magnetic field also reverses when the current direction is reversed.

An electromagnet is a type of magnet in which the magnetic field is produced by an electric current.

Electromagnets are used in electric bells, loudspeakers, and magnetic cranes for lifting heavy materials.

B = (μ₀/4π) × (I/d), where I is the current and d is the distance from the conductor.

The unit of magnetic field strength is the 'Tesla' (T), named after Nikola Tesla.

Like poles repel each other and unlike poles attract each other.

A compass needle is a small magnet that points towards the Earth's magnetic north.

Increased current strengthens the magnetic field produced around the conductor.

The strength of the magnetic field decreases as the distance from the conductor increases.

The direction of the magnetic field is indicated by the direction in which a small compass needle points.

Wires carrying current in the same direction attract each other, while those carrying current in opposite directions repel each other.

The two types are temporary (created with electric current) and permanent (made of magnetized materials).

Iron filings align along magnetic field lines, visually demonstrating the shape and strength of the magnetic field.

No, magnetic field lines never cross; if they did, it would imply a compass needle pointing in two directions simultaneously.