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Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Quick questions on The magnetic effect of a current: N(A)-Level Physics electromagnetism
3short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is a current makes a magnetic field?Show answer
Whenever an electric current flows, it produces a magnetic field around it. A straight wire carrying a current has circular field lines around it. The larger the current, the stronger the field. This was the first clue that electricity and magnetism are connected.
What is the field of a coil (solenoid)?Show answer
If the wire is wound into a coil (a solenoid), the fields from each turn add together. The result is a magnetic field very like that of a bar magnet, with a north pole at one end and a south pole at the other. Inside the coil the field is strong and fairly uniform.
What are electromagnets?Show answer
An electromagnet is a coil wound around a core of soft iron. When current flows, the coil's field magnetises the iron core, which greatly strengthens the overall field. The key feature is that the magnetism can be switched on and off with the current.
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