Applying Magnetic Forces

Front

Tesla Noun

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[tes-luh]

Back

Tesla

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The SI unit for magnetic field strength, defined as one newton per ampere-meter, used to quantify magnetic flux density.

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Example: This diagram shows how an electric current flowing through a coil of wire generates a magnetic field, the strength of which is measured in teslas.

Front

Galvanometer Noun

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[gal-vuh-nom-i-ter]

Back

Galvanometer

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A sensitive instrument that measures small electric currents by detecting the torque on a current-carrying coil in a magnetic field.

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Example: This diagram shows how a galvanometer works. Electric current flowing through a coil creates a magnetic force, causing the coil and a pointer to rotate.

Front

Ammeter Noun

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[am-mee-ter]

Back

Ammeter

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An instrument used to measure electric current, typically constructed by adding a low-resistance shunt resistor in parallel with a galvanometer.

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Example: A clamp-on ammeter measures electric current by detecting the strength of the magnetic field that the current creates around the wire.

Front

Voltmeter Noun

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[vohlt-mee-ter]

Back

Voltmeter

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An instrument used to measure potential difference, created by connecting a high-resistance multiplier resistor in series with a galvanometer.

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Example: This diagram shows a voltmeter connected in parallel with a resistor to measure the voltage, or electrical potential difference, across that component in a circuit.

Front

Shunt Resistor Noun

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[shunt ri-zis-ter]

Back

Shunt Resistor

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A low-resistance resistor placed in parallel with a galvanometer to divert most of the current, converting it into an ammeter.

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Example: A shunt resistor provides a parallel path for electric current, diverting most of it away from a sensitive meter to measure larger total currents.

Front

Multiplier Resistor Noun

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[muhl-tuh-plahy-er ri-zis-ter]

Back

Multiplier Resistor

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A high-resistance resistor placed in series with a galvanometer to limit current, converting the device into a voltmeter.

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Example: This diagram shows how multiplier resistors (R1-R4) are used in a voltmeter to measure different voltages by limiting current to the magnetic meter.

Front

Electric Motor Noun

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[ih-lek-trik moh-ter]

Back

Electric Motor

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A device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy using the rotational force produced by a magnetic field on a current-carrying coil.

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Example: An electric current flowing through a coil in a magnetic field creates a force, causing the coil to rotate and convert electrical energy into motion.

Front

Armature Noun

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[ahr-muh-cher]

Back

Armature

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The rotating component of an electric motor, which consists of a multi-looped coil of wire that spins within a magnetic field.

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Example: This diagram shows the parts of an electric motor. The armature is the rotating assembly, including the rotor coils, that spins due to magnetic forces.

Front

Split-Ring Commutator Noun

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[split-ring kom-yoo-tey-ter]

Back

Split-Ring Commutator

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A device in a DC motor that reverses the current's direction in the armature every half rotation, ensuring continuous torque.

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Example: This diagram shows a split-ring commutator in a simple motor, reversing the current's direction every half turn to ensure the coil continuously rotates.

Front

Synchrotron Noun

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[sing-kruh-tron]

Back

Synchrotron

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A type of particle accelerator that uses synchronized magnetic and electric fields to accelerate charged particles in a circular path.

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Example: This diagram shows a synchrotron, a particle accelerator where powerful bending and focusing magnets are used to guide particle beams along a circular path.