MagnetismSection 2 Electromagnetism 〉 What happens to a compass near a wire that is carrying a current? 〉 When the wire carries a strong, steady current, all of the compass needles move to align with the magnetic field created by the electric current. Hans Christian Oersted found that magnetism is produced by moving electric charges. –Electric currents produce magnetic fields.

MagnetismSection 2 Electromagnetism, continued Use the right-hand rule to find the direction of the magnetic field produced by a current. right-hand rule: –If you hold a wire in your right hand and point your thumb in the direction of the positive current, the direction that your fingers curl is the direction of the magnetic field.

MagnetismSection 2 The Right-Hand Rule The thumb points in the direction of the current. The fingertips point in the direction of the magnetic field. The magnetic field runs counterclockwise.

MagnetismSection 2 Magnetic Field of a Current-Carrying Wire

MagnetismSection 2 Electromagnetism, continued Solenoids and bar magnets have similar magnetic fields. solenoid: a coil of wire with an electric current in it –In a solenoid, the magnetic field of each loop of wire adds to the strength of the magnetic field of any neighboring loops. The strength of a solenoid can be increased. –More loops or more current can create a stronger magnetic field. electromagnet: a coil that has a soft iron core and that acts as a magnet when an electric current is in the coil –The magnetic field of the rod adds to the coil’s field.

MagnetismSection 2 Electromagnetism, continued Moving charges cause magnetism. –Negatively charged electrons moving around the nuclei of atoms make magnetic fields. –Atomic nuclei also have magnetic fields because protons move within the nucleus. –Each electron has a property called electron spin, which also produces a tiny magnetic field. The magnetism of the uncanceled fields in certain materials combines to make the materials magnetic overall.

MagnetismSection 2 Electromagnetic Devices 〉 Why are electric motors useful? 〉 A motor can perform mechanical work when it is attached to an external device. electric motor: a device that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy Galvanometers detect current. –galvanometer: an instrument that detects, measures, and determines the direction of a small electric current

MagnetismSection 2 Electric Motor

MagnetismSection 2 Electromagnetic Devices, continued ammeter: measures current voltmeter: measures voltage. Motors use a commutator to spin in one direction. –commutator: a device used to make the current change direction every time the flat coil makes a half revolution. –brushes: devices that connect the wires to the commutator