Current creates a magnetic field
A wire with current has a circular field around it. A coil concentrates the field; a solenoid acts like a bar magnet.
Straight wire. Current produces concentric circular field lines around the wire.
- Direction by right-hand grip rule: thumb points in current direction; fingers curl in field direction.
Coil / solenoid. A coil of wire carrying current has:
- Strong, roughly uniform field INSIDE the coil.
- Field lines outside resemble those of a bar magnet — with N and S poles at the ends.
- Direction: use the right-hand grip on the WIRE LOOP. Or: looking at one end, if current flows ANTICLOCKWISE → that end is N.
Strengthening a solenoid's field.
- More turns per metre.
- Higher current.
- A SOFT IRON CORE inside (greatly amplifies the field).
Electromagnet. A solenoid with a soft iron core. Switch the current on → magnet on. Switch off → magnet off (instant). Used in scrap-yard cranes, relays, electric bells.
Using the magnetic effect of a current — relays and loudspeakers.
- Relay. A small current in a coil makes an electromagnet that attracts a soft-iron armature. The armature pivots and closes (or opens) the contacts of a separate circuit. This lets a small, safe current switch a much larger current, with the two circuits electrically isolated.
- Loudspeaker. An alternating current (the audio signal) flows through a coil sitting in the field of a permanent magnet. The motor effect makes the coil move back and forth as the current changes; the coil is attached to a paper cone, so the cone vibrates and produces sound waves.
- Current → field. Right-hand grip rule.
- Solenoid: bar-magnet-like field.
- Strengthen: more turns, more current, iron core.
- Electromagnet: solenoid + iron core; switchable.
- Magnetic effect of a current is used in relays and loudspeakers.