Grade 11 Physics Notes Page 1 of 12
MAGNETISM
The simple phenomenon of magnetism
A magnet is an object that is able to attract or repel another magnetic
substance because it has a magnetic field around it.
Properties of magnets
1. When a bar magnet is suspended, it will always point in a north-south
direction.
2. Like poles repel and unlike poles attract.
(a) Like poles repel (b) Unlike poles attract
3. The force of attraction of a magnet is greater at its poles than in the middle.
The domain theory of magnetism
Magnetic forces are non-contact forces.
Materials that are highly magnetic and are easily magnetised are said to be
Ferromagnetic.
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The domain theory of magnetism says that the atoms in a magnetic material
each have magnetic fields round them. Groups of atoms combine to make one larger
and stronger magnetic field.
The groups of atoms and their associated magnetic field are called domains.
Within each domain, the strength and the direction of the magnetism is the same.
Each domain behaves like a small magnet of about 0.1mm in size.
In un-magnetised materials, the domains face in random directions.
In magnetised materials, the domains face a common direction.
Induced magnetism
Induced magnetism is the transfer of magnetic properties without contact.
A magnet can induce a temporary magnetisation in an unmagnetised material,
if it is placed near that material. This is because the magnetic field comes into contact
with the unmagnetised material.
Experiment
Aim
To demonstrate magnetic induction in an iron nail.
Materials
Iron nail
Magnet
Metal pins
Clamp stand
Procedure
1. Bring the nail close to the paper clip.
2. Bring a magnet closer to the nail as shown below.
3. Remove the magnet.
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Observation
1. Do the pins attract to the nail?
Ans: NO
2. Do the pins attract to the nail?
Ans: YES
3. What happens to the pins?
Ans: The pins continue being attracted to the nail but after sometime, the pins fall
down.
4. Explain how the nail is able to attract the paper clip.
Ans: The magnet lines up the domains in the iron nail, making it into a temporary
magnet. While the magnet is close to the nail, the nail is magnetized and it can now
attract the metal clips.
Conclusion
There is an induced magnetism in the iron nail.
The end nearer to the south pole of the permanent magnet becomes an induced
south pole, while the other end is an induced north pole.
NOTE
Induced magnetism is not permanent.
The iron nail will lose its magnetism once the permanent magnet is removed from it.
Materials that form temporary magnets are called soft metals.
Materials that form permanent magnets are called hard metals.
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Grade 11 Physics Notes Page 4 of 12
Methods of magnetization
Single touching (stroking) method
Take a permanent magnet and stoke the magnetic material in one direction only.
The end of the magnetic material where the stroke ends will have a pole opposite to
that of end of the contact magnet.
Double touch (stroking) method
The magnets are moved in opposite direction from the middle of the bar out wards.
The permanent magnets have opposite poles in contact with the bar.
This method results in a stronger magnet.
Electrical method
This method results in the strongest magnet.
A length of insulated copper wire is wound into a long coil of a few hundred turns and
connected to a direct current source.
A magnetic material is placed inside the coil
The current is allowed to flow through the coil (solenoid) for some time. This
produces a strong magnetic field, which lines up the domains in the metal bar.
The magnet which is made with a solenoid is called the electromagnet.
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Grade 11 Physics Notes Page 5 of 12
Right-hand grip rule
Right hand grip rule shows how to locate poles on the electromagnet (thumb for
north pole and other fingers direction of current).
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Methods of demagnetization
To demagnetize a magnet is to cause disorder in the magnetic field.
We can demagnetize by heating or striking the magnetized object with a hammer,
repeatedly, or by using electricity.
Heating method
If a magnetised material (magnet) is heated to a higher temperature, it will lose its magnetism
very quickly.
Hammering
If a magnetised material (magnet) is hammered many times, the magnetism becomes weaker
and weaker.
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Grade 11 Physics Notes Page 7 of 12
Electrical method
This method is the most efficient method.
This uses an alternating current instead of a direct current. The alternating current
creates an alternating magnetic field, which disrupts the domains.
A magnet is placed inside a solenoid which has an A.C. supply. When the magnet is
withdrawn far away from the solenoid, this process is repeated, the magnet is
demagnetised.
Exercise
1. State three properties of magnets
2. Explain what induced magnetism is.
3. Give two examples of substances that are:
a) Magnetic materials
b) Non-magnetic materials
Answers
1. (i) When a bar magnet is suspended, it will always point in a north-south
direction.
(ii) Like poles repel and unlike poles attract.
(iii) The force of attraction of a magnet is greater at its poles than in the middle.
2. A ferromagnetic material is magnetized temporarily by another magnet
without any contact between the two.
3. (i) Materials that contain iron, cobalt and nickel.
(ii) Materials that do not contain iron, cobalt and nickel.
Magnetic field lines
A magnetic field is the region around a magnet in which another magnetized
object experience a force.
We cannot see the magnetic field lines around the magnet.
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Grade 11 Physics Notes Page 8 of 12
Experiment
Aim
To investigate the magnetic field lines around a bar magnet.
Materials
One sheet of plain paper
Iron feelings
A permanent magnet
Procedure
1. Place the paper on top of the bar magnet
2. Sprinkle iron filings evenly over the paper
3. Tap the paper gently and sketch the pattern that you see.
Observation
The lines are concentrated at the poles of the magnet and are more spread out
in the middle of the magnet.
If the compass is used, it points from north to south poles.
Conclusion
Magnetic field runs from North Pole to South Pole of the magnet.
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Grade 11 Physics Notes Page 9 of 12
The properties of magnetic field lines
Magnetic field lines start from the North Pole and end at the South Pole.
Magnetic field lines never cross each other.
The lines repel each other sideways.
The higher the density of the lines in a region, the greater the magnetic field
strength there.
The magnetic properties of iron and steel
Iron and steel (alloy of iron and carbon) are both magnetic materials, but they behave
differently when exposed to magnetic effects.
Properties Uses
IRON It is a soft magnetic material To make temporary
It is easy to magnetize (high magnets
susceptibility). To make electromagnets
It loses its magnetism easily Used in transformers, audio
(it is not retentive) and video tapes and electric
bells.
STEEL It is a hard magnetic material To make permanent
It is hard to magnetize (low magnets
susceptibility) Used in AC and DC
It is highly retentive. motors, galvanometers and
loudspeakers.
Magnetic screening and magnetic keepers
Magnetic screening
This is the covering of a magnet by a ferromagnetic material to protect it from
unwanted interference.
Magnetic screening is done by placing a ferromagnetic material around a magnet to
protect it from interference.
Magnetic screening is used in hospitals, where devices that use magnetism need to be
shielded so that they do not interfere with other devices
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Grade 11 Physics Notes Page 10 of 12
Magnetic screening is used in electrical cables to reduce signal loss.
Magnetic keepers
Magnetic keepers is a protective iron bar that is placed over the ends of a magnet to
help retain its magnetism.
To prevent magnets from losing their magnetism, magnetic keepers, such as soft iron
bars, are placed across the ends of the magnets.
The uses of magnets
Magnets are used in compasses, magnetic door catches, loudspeakers, electric motors and
electric meters.
Exercise
1. The figure below shows magnetic field lines between the poles of two magnets.
(a) Name point R.
(b) If P is a south pole what are the poles Q and T?
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(c) Explain how soft iron keepers help magnets retain their magnetism for a longer period
of time.
(d) State two differences between iron and steel as magnetic materials.
2. The figure below shows a metal bar placed inside a vertical solenoid, above a small pile
of iron nails.
Describe the behavior of the iron nails when the switch above is on for several seconds,
then off, if the metal is made from...
(i) Aluminium
(ii) Iron
(iii) Steel
3. (a) The diagram below represents a bar of soft iron which is to be magnetized with a
north pole at end A.
Complete the diagram to show how you would arrange a coil connected to a cell to
achieve this. Make clear on your diagram the windings of the coil and the polarity of each
cell terminal.
(b) What would be the effect of disconnecting the cell on the magnetization of the bar?
4. The diagram below shows an iron core electromagnet.
(a) State two ways in which the strength of the electromagnet can be increased.
(b) Explain why the core of the electromagnet is made of iron instead of steel.
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Grade 11 Physics Notes Page 12 of 12
5. The figure below is a diagram showing a coil of wire wound on a soft iron core, with
current flowing in the direction indicated by the arrows.
(a) Mark the N and S poles induced on the iron core.
(b) Show by an arrow the direction in which a plotting compass needle would point
when placed at point X.
(c) A beam of electrons flows through point Y in a direction perpendicularly
downwards into the paper. Show clearly using an arrow labelled F, the direction
of the force exerted by the magnetic field on the electron beam.
Mr. Kawanga. D. 2022
