AQA GCSE Magnetic calculations (Combined Science)

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Magnetic Calculations

When a conductor, such as a current carrying wire is placed at right angles to a magnetic field it will experience a force due to the motor effect.

We can calculate the size of the force using the following equation:

Force = magnetic flux density x current x length. Equation for calculating force on a conductor due to a magnetic field

Example Calculation

A wire 25 cm in length carries a current of 3 A and is placed in a magnetic field with a flux density of 0.1 Tesla. Calculate the force that the wire experiences. 

Convert the length 25cm into metres, 0.25m

Force = magnetic flux density x current x length

Force = 0.1 x 3 x 0.25 = 0.075N

Practice Question

1.Fill in the table below

Force,F (N)Magnetic flux density,B (T)Current,I (A)Length,l (m)
0.25.00.5
2.08.00.6
4.00.510.0
6.00.40.8

2.A wire of length 1.5m wire has a current of 5A flowing along its enitre length. This wire is placed into a magnetic field of strength 0.6 Tesla. Calculate the force that the wire experience

3. A wire of length 75cm experiences a force of 20N when placed in a field of 500 milliTesla.  Calculate the current flowing along the wire

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