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Magnetic Effect of Electric Current

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Introduction to Magnetic Effect of Electric Current

Physics is a vital subject of the Class 10 curriculum. The students should read all the chapters of this subject sincerely. In Class 10, the syllabus of physics contains introductory chapters of some vital concepts of physics. The magnetic effect of electric current is one of the most important chapters of the Class 10 Physics syllabus. This chapter is all about the magnetic effects created by the magnetic dipoles and electric charges. There are different causes of creating a magnetic field by the dipoles.

In this article, we are going to discuss the definition of the magnetic effect of electric current, the causes of the creation of a magnetic field, and the laws of magnetic fields.

Magnetic Effect of Electric Current Definition

Moving electric charges and magnetic dipoles create a force field (magnetic field), which is called the magnetic effect of electric current. This magnetic field exerts a force on the magnetic dipoles, and other moving charges near the force field. The magnetic field is a vector quantity and it has both magnitude value and direction. There can be different causes of the moving charges around the pole, which creates magnetic fields.

Magnetic Field Lines

When a magnetic field is created in an area, the magnetic dipoles create some particular force field lines. These lines are called magnetic field lines. Michael Faraday discovered the concept of magnetic field lines. Magnetic field lines show the direction of produced current and its strength. There are several laws about the characters and properties of magnetic field lines.

Direction of Field Lines

As the magnetic field is a vector quantity, magnetic field lines also have particular directions. The directions of magnetic field lines are different for inside and outside of the magnet. The magnetic field lines are directed from the north pole to the south pole outside the magnet. The direction of magnetic field lines inside the magnet is from the south pole to the north pole.

Strength of Magnetic Field Lines

Now, we are going to discuss the strength of magnetic field lines. Magnetic field strength is the intensity of the magnetic field. The magnetic field strength is proportional to the number of the magnetic field lines and their closeness. The closeness of the magnetic field lines is called the areal density. As the magnetic field lines don’t cross each other, the strength of the field is unique at any point of the magnetic field.

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Properties of Magnetic Field Lines

Magnetic field lines create the visualized format of the magnetic field. The magnetic field lines have some particular properties, which are mentioned below.

  • The magnetic field lines are proportional to the number of lines and their density.

  • The strength of magnetic field lines is proportional to the number of lines and their density.

  • Magnetic field lines cannot cross each other.

  • Magnetic field lines are continuous loops.

  • The direction of the field lines is indicated by arrows at any point (south pole to north pole inside the magnet and north pole to south pole outside the magnet).

  • The density of the field lines is high near the poles.

Laws About Magnetic Field

There are several laws depicting the characteristics, properties, and directions of the magnetic field. Biot Savart discovered the concept of the magnetic field and gave a law about the creation of the magnetic field. Hendrik A. Lorentz gave a law about calculating the force of a magnetic field. Michael Faraday discovered the concept of magnetic field lines. 

Questions and Answers

1. What is a Magnetic Field?

Ans: Due to moving electric charges, a force field is created by the magnetic dipoles of a magnet. This force field area around a magnet is called a magnetic field. 

2. What is Magnetic Intensity?

Ans: In a magnetic field, several magnetic field lines are located. These lines are at a particular distance. They don't cross each other. The density of the magnetic field lines in a magnetic field is called the strength of the magnetic field or magnetic intensity. In a particular area of the magnetic field, magnetic intensity is always unique. 

3. What are the Properties of Magnetic Field Lines?

Ans: The major properties of magnetic field lines are-

  • Magnetic field lines are tangent to the respective magnetic field.

  • Magnetic field lines don't cross each other.

  • Magnetic field lines are continuous loops.

  • The direction of magnetic field lines is indicated by arrows.

  • The density of the magnetic field lines is high near the poles.

FAQs on Magnetic Effect of Electric Current

1. Explain the Concept of the Magnetic Effect of Current.

Ans: Magnetic field is a force field created around a magnet. When electric charges move around a magnet, the magnetic dipoles create a force field, which is called the magnetic effect of electric current. This field exerts a force on the magnetic dipoles, and other moving charges near the force field. The magnetic field is visualized by magnetic field lines. Michael Faraday discovered the concept of magnetic field lines. These lines show the direction of produced current, and their strength. Magnetic field lines indicate from the south pole to the north pole inside the magnet and the north pole to the south pole outside the magnet. The density of the magnetic field lines is called strength of magnetic field or magnetic intensity. 

2. Discuss Magnetic Field Lines.

Ans: Magnetic field lines are the visual representation of magnetic fields. When a magnetic field is created in an area, the magnetic dipoles create some particular force field lines, which are known as magnetic field lines. These lines have particular directions according to their position (inside or outside the magnet). There are several properties of magnetic field lines. These lines are tangent to the magnetic field. They don't cross each other. That is why the magnetic intensity of a particular area of the magnetic field is always unique. The density of the magnetic field lines is called magnetic intensity or the strength of the magnetic field. Magnetic field lines are continuous loops.