Describe the three basic interactions between electricity and magnetism.

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Question: Describe the three basic interactions between electricity and magnetism. Answer: The three basic interactions between electricity and magnetism are: 1) The magnetic field created by a current-carrying conductor: When an electric current flows through a conductor, it creates a magnetic field around it. The strength of the magnetic field is directly proportional to the current flowing through the conductor and inversely proportional to the distance from the conductor. 2) The force experienced by a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field: When a current-carrying conductor is placed in an external magnetic field, it experiences a force known as the Lorentz force. The direction of the force is given by the right-hand rule. 3) Electromagnetic induction: The process by which a change in the magnetic field within a closed loop of wire induces an electromotive force (EMF) and a current in the loop. This principle is the basis for the operation of generators and transformers. The induced EMF is calculated using Faraday's Law, and the direction of the induced current is given by Lenz's Law.

Step by step solution

01

Interaction 1: The magnetic field created by a current-carrying conductor

When an electric current flows through a conductor, it creates a magnetic field around it. This magnetic field can be represented by magnetic field lines that form concentric circles around the conductor. The strength of the magnetic field is directly proportional to the current flowing through the conductor and inversely proportional to the distance from the conductor. This relation is described by the Biot-Savart Law, which states that the magnetic field (B) at any point around the conductor is given by: B = (μ₀I) / (2πr), where μ₀ is the permeability of free space, I is the current flowing through the conductor, and r is the distance from the conductor.
02

Interaction 2: The force experienced by a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field

When a current-carrying conductor is placed in an external magnetic field, it experiences a force. This force is known as the Lorentz force and is given by the equation: F = q(v x B), where q is the charge of the particle, v is its velocity, and B is the magnetic field. For a current-carrying conductor, the force can be rewritten as F = I(L x B), where I is the current, L is the length of the conductor, and B is the magnetic field. The direction of the force is given by the right-hand rule, which states that if you point your thumb in the direction of the current and your fingers in the direction of the magnetic field, your palm will point in the direction of the force.
03

Interaction 3: Electromagnetic induction

Electromagnetic induction is the process by which a change in the magnetic field within a closed loop of wire induces an electromotive force (EMF) and, therefore, a current in the loop. This principle is the basis for the operation of generators and transformers. When a magnetic field changes within a closed loop of wire, the change in the magnetic field induces an electric field, and this electric field generates an electromotive force (EMF) in the loop. The induced EMF can be calculated using Faraday's Law of electromagnetic induction, which states that the induced EMF (ε) in a closed loop of wire is equal to the negative rate of change of magnetic flux (Φ) through the loop: ε = - dΦ/dt. Induced EMF generates a current in the loop, and the direction of the induced current is given by Lenz's Law, which states that the induced current will flow in such a way as to oppose the change in the magnetic field that created it.

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