More on Electricity and Magnetism

In this demonstration you will use an instrument called a galvanometer. It is an instrument with a bar of iron wrapped with an electrical wire, and a magnet. It detects electrical current. If a wire is connected to this instrument, it can detect if electricity is flowing through the wire. If there is no current through the wire, the needle will move to the left. Similarly, if there is a current flowing through the wire, the needle will move towards the right of the scale. This demonstration should help to give you an idea of the relationship between magnetism and electricity.

Electromagnetic Induction

What you have just discovered in this experiment is that electricity can be generated by moving a wire through a magnetic field. This process is called electromagnetic induction. When an electrical wire cuts across magnetic lines of force, a current is produced in the wire. We know this because the current is detected by watching the needle on a galvanometer, which is an instrument that can measure electric current in wires. The same result is obtained when a magnet is moved in and out of coils of wire. It does not matter if the magnet is moved or if the coils of wire are moved. The important thing is that there is motion within the magnetic field, and that the magnetic lines of force are cut.

The discovery of electromagnetic induction is very important in our lives because it is the principle by which electric generators can make electricity. Through the use of magnets, a generator can convert mechanical energy to electrical energy and provide electricity that we need for so many things. Remember that energy is the ability to do work and that mechanical energy is the energy caused by moving objects. For example, when you move your legs to peddle a bicycle, you cause energy that moves the bicycle wheels and runs the bicycle. When a rushing wave of water hits a boat and turns it over, the moving water causes the energy that moves the boat to overturn it. When there is a way to turn this moving energy into electricity that can light a light bulb, we can get light in our home.