Inducing Magnetism

Front

Magnetic Force Noun

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[mag-net-ik fors]

Back

Magnetic Force

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The force exerted on a moving charge, a current-carrying wire, or between magnetic materials due to a magnetic field.

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Example: This image shows how an electric current flowing through a coil of wire creates a magnetic field, which is the source of magnetic force.

Front

Current Noun

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[kur-uhnt]

Back

Current

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The rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor, typically measured in units called amperes (A).

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Example: An electric current flowing from a battery through a coiled wire creates a magnetic field, turning the iron nail into a temporary magnet (electromagnet).

Front

Magnetic Field Noun

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[mag-net-ik feeld]

Back

Magnetic Field

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A vector field describing the magnetic influence on moving electric charges, electric currents, and various magnetic materials.

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Example: A bar magnet creates an invisible magnetic field, which can be seen by how it arranges iron filings into lines around its North and South poles.

Front

Charge Density Noun

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[charj den-si-tee]

Back

Charge Density

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The measure of electric charge per unit of space, which can be calculated per unit length, area, or volume.

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Example: This image shows that charge density, or the amount of electric charge in a space, can be different in different parts of an object.

Front

Torque Noun

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[tork]

Back

Torque

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A twisting force that tends to cause rotation around an axis, pivot, or fulcrum.

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Example: This diagram shows torque as a rotational force, where applying a force at a distance (length) from a pivot point causes an object, like a nut, to turn.

Front

Lever Arm Noun

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[lev-er arm]

Back

Lever Arm

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The perpendicular distance from an axis of rotation to the line of action of an applied force.

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Example: This diagram shows the human arm as a lever, where the elbow is the fulcrum, the bicep provides the force, and a weight in the hand is the load.

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, often using magnetically induced torque on a current-carrying loop.

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Example: This diagram shows how an electric motor works: electric current from a battery flows through a coil placed in a magnetic field, causing the coil to rotate.

Front

Biot-Savart Law Noun

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[bee-oh suh-var law]

Back

Biot-Savart Law

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An equation in physics that describes the magnetic field generated by a constant electric current.

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Example: This diagram shows the right-hand rule: when an electric current flows through a wire, it induces a circular magnetic field around it.

Front

Permeability of free space Noun

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[pur-mee-uh-bil-i-tee uv free speys]

Back

Permeability of free space

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A physical constant representing the ability of a magnetic field to permeate a vacuum, denoted by the symbol μ₀.

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Example: This diagram shows that materials with high magnetic permeability, like iron, concentrate magnetic field lines, while materials with low permeability, like wood, do not.

Front

Solenoid Noun

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[soh-luh-noid]

Back

Solenoid

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A long coil of wire wound into a helix, which produces a nearly uniform magnetic field inside when carrying a current.

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Example: Wrapping a wire into a coil and passing an electric current through it induces a magnetic field, creating an electromagnet called a solenoid.