Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism

Master Biot-Savart law, Ampere's law, force on conductors, and magnetic materials for JEE Physics.

This topic covers magnetic fields due to currents and the behavior of magnetic materials.

Overview

graph TD
    A[Magnetism] --> B[Magnetic Field]
    A --> C[Forces]
    A --> D[Magnetic Materials]
    B --> B1[Biot-Savart Law]
    B --> B2[Ampere's Law]
    C --> C1[Moving Charge]
    C --> C2[Current Conductor]
    D --> D1[Diamagnetic]
    D --> D2[Paramagnetic]
    D --> D3[Ferromagnetic]

Biot-Savart Law

Magnetic field due to current element:

$$\boxed{d\vec{B} = \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi} \frac{Id\vec{l} \times \hat{r}}{r^2}}$$

where $\mu_0 = 4\pi \times 10^{-7}$ T⋅m/A

Magnetic Field Due to Straight Wire

Infinite wire:

$$\boxed{B = \frac{\mu_0 I}{2\pi r}}$$

Finite wire (angles α and β from ends):

$$B = \frac{\mu_0 I}{4\pi r}(\sin\alpha + \sin\beta)$$

Magnetic Field at Center of Circular Loop

$$\boxed{B = \frac{\mu_0 NI}{2R}}$$

where N = number of turns

Magnetic Field on Axis of Circular Loop

$$B = \frac{\mu_0 NIR^2}{2(R^2 + x^2)^{3/2}}$$
JEE Tip
Direction of magnetic field: Use right-hand thumb rule. Curl fingers in direction of current, thumb points in direction of field.

Ampere’s Circuital Law

$$\boxed{\oint \vec{B} \cdot d\vec{l} = \mu_0 I_{enclosed}}$$

Applications

Inside solenoid:

$$\boxed{B = \mu_0 nI}$$

where n = turns per unit length

Toroid:

$$B = \frac{\mu_0 NI}{2\pi r}$$

Force on Moving Charge

$$\boxed{\vec{F} = q(\vec{v} \times \vec{B})}$$

Magnitude: $F = qvB\sin\theta$

Motion of Charged Particle

In uniform B field:

  • If $\vec{v} \perp \vec{B}$: Circular motion

    • Radius: $r = \frac{mv}{qB}$
    • Period: $T = \frac{2\pi m}{qB}$
  • If $\vec{v}$ has component along $\vec{B}$: Helical motion

Lorentz Force

$$\vec{F} = q(\vec{E} + \vec{v} \times \vec{B})$$

Force on Current-Carrying Conductor

$$\boxed{\vec{F} = I(\vec{L} \times \vec{B})}$$

Magnitude: $F = BIL\sin\theta$

Force Between Parallel Wires

$$\boxed{\frac{F}{L} = \frac{\mu_0 I_1 I_2}{2\pi d}}$$
  • Same direction currents: Attractive
  • Opposite direction currents: Repulsive

Definition of Ampere: Current producing 2×10⁻⁷ N/m between infinite parallel wires 1 m apart.

Torque on Current Loop

$$\boxed{\vec{\tau} = \vec{M} \times \vec{B} = NIA\vec{n} \times \vec{B}}$$

where $M = NIA$ = magnetic dipole moment

Magnitude: $\tau = NIAB\sin\theta$

Moving Coil Galvanometer

Deflection:

$$\theta = \frac{NIAB}{k}$$

Current sensitivity:

$$S_I = \frac{\theta}{I} = \frac{NAB}{k}$$

Conversion

To Ammeter: Add shunt $S = \frac{I_g G}{I - I_g}$ in parallel

To Voltmeter: Add resistance $R = \frac{V}{I_g} - G$ in series

Magnetic Dipole

Bar Magnet

Axial field (on axis):

$$B = \frac{\mu_0 2M}{4\pi r^3}$$

Equatorial field (perpendicular bisector):

$$B = \frac{\mu_0 M}{4\pi r^3}$$

Torque on Bar Magnet in Field

$$\tau = MB\sin\theta$$

Potential Energy

$$U = -\vec{M} \cdot \vec{B} = -MB\cos\theta$$

Magnetic Materials

Classification

PropertyDiamagneticParamagneticFerromagnetic
χ (susceptibility)Small, negativeSmall, positiveLarge, positive
μᵣ (relative permeability)< 1> 1» 1
Effect of BWeakly repelledWeakly attractedStrongly attracted
ExamplesBi, Cu, Ag, H₂OAl, Na, O₂Fe, Co, Ni

Curie Law

For paramagnetic materials:

$$\chi \propto \frac{1}{T}$$

Hysteresis

  • Retentivity: B when H = 0
  • Coercivity: H needed to make B = 0
Common Mistake
The direction of force on a current-carrying wire is perpendicular to both current and field. Use Fleming’s left-hand rule: first finger = B, middle finger = I, thumb = F.

Practice Problems

  1. Find the magnetic field at the center of a circular coil of 10 turns, radius 0.1 m, carrying 2 A.

  2. Two long parallel wires 10 cm apart carry currents 5 A and 10 A in same direction. Find force per meter.

  3. An electron moves in a circle of radius 2 cm in a magnetic field of 0.01 T. Find its velocity.

  4. A rectangular loop (20 cm × 10 cm) carries 5 A in a field of 0.1 T. Find maximum torque.

Quick Check
Why is the force on a charged particle moving parallel to the magnetic field zero?

Further Reading