Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism

The branch of physics involving the study of electric and magnetic fields and their interactions.

Magnetic field of a wire carrying current

A magnetic field produced around a conducting wire when an electric current flows through it, shaped as concentric circles.

Concentric circles

Circles that share the same center, which represent the magnetic field around a current-carrying wire.

Right-hand thumb rule

A rule used to determine the direction of the magnetic field around a current-carrying wire by pointing the thumb of the right hand in the direction of the current and curling the fingers.

Magnetic field strength

The intensity of a magnetic field, which is strongest closest to the current-carrying wire and weakens with distance.

Current reversal effect

Reversing the direction of current in a wire reverses the direction of the magnetic field produced.

Magnetic field absence

No magnetic field is produced when there is no current flowing through the conductor.

Current increase effect

Increasing the current flowing through the wire increases the strength of the magnetic field and brings field lines closer together.

Factors affecting field strength

The strength of a magnetic field depends on the size of the current and the distance from the long straight conductor.

Larger current effect

A larger current will produce a larger magnetic field.

Distance effect on field

The greater the distance from the conductor, the weaker the magnetic field becomes.

Magnetic field pattern

The circular pattern of the magnetic field around a current-carrying wire indicates that it has no poles.

Field line density

Field lines become denser when the current increases, indicating a stronger magnetic field.

Field weakening with distance

The magnetic field weakens as the distance from the current-carrying conductor increases.

Circles around a wire

The magnetic field around a straight conductor forms circles that get further apart with distance.

Conducting wire

A wire that allows electrical current to flow through it, producing a magnetic field.