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6.6 Torque on a coil
6.6.1 Formula of torque
 Consider a rectangular coil (loop) of wire with side lengths a and
b that it can turn about axis PQ. The coil is in a magnetic field of
flux density B and the plane of the coil makes an angle θ with
the direction of the magnetic field. A current I is flowing round
the coil as shown in Figure 6.31.
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 
B B 
F1

F
I
 I
P B
A φ θ
 b
B 
B
 
F1 a I Q F
I
Figure 6.31a
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
B
 
 F1
B
A
θ
φ b
 sin φ
rotation B 2
b
φ rotation
2 Q b
 sin φ
F1 φ 2
Figure 6.31b: side view
 From the Figure 6.31b, the magnitude of the force F1 is given by
F1 = IlB sin 90 and l = a
F1 = IaB
 From the Figure 6.31a, the forces F lie along the axis PQ.
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 From the Figure 6.31a, the forces F lie along the axis PQ.
 The resultant force on the coil is zero but the nett torque is
not zero because the forces F1 are perpendicular to the axis PQ
as shown in Figure 6.31a.
 The forces F1 cause the coil to rotate in the clockwise
direction about the axis PQ as shown in Figure 6.31b.
 The magnitude of the nett torque about the axis PQ (refer to
Figure 6.31b) is given by
b  b 
τ = − F1  sin φ  − F1  sin φ 
2  2 
b  and F = IaB
= −2 F1  sin φ  1
2 
b 
= −2( IaB )  sin φ 
2 
= − IabB sin φ and ab = A(area of coil)
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5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
τ = IAB sin φ
since φ = 90 − θ thus

(
τ = IAB sin 90 − θ )
τ = IAB cos θ
 For a coil of N turns, the magnitude of the torque is given by
τ = NIAB sin φ (6.14)
OR
τ = NIAB cos θ (6.15)
where τ : torque on the coil
B : magnetic flux density
I : current flows in the coil  
φ : angle between vector area A and B 
θ : angle between the plane of the coil and B
N : number of turns (coils) 5

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 From the eq. (6.14), thus the formula of torque in the vector form
is given by

(
 
τ = NI A × B ) (6.16)
 The torque is zero when θ = 90° or φ = 0° and is maximum
when θ = 0°  φ = 90° as shown in Figures 6.32a and 6.32b.
or
 A 
B B
θ = 90 φ = 90

A
φ =0 
θ = 0
Figure 6.32a Figure 6.32b
τ = NIAB sin 0  plane of the coil τ = NIAB sin 90
OR OR
τ = NIAB cos 90 τ = NIAB cos 0
τ =0 τ max = NIAB
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 In a radial field, the plane of the coil is always parallel to the
field
magnetic field for any orientation of the coil about the vertical
axis as shown in Figure 6.33.
θ = 0
N S OR
φ = 90 
radial field fixed soft coil
iron cylinder
Figure 6.33: Plan view of moving coil meter
Hence the torque on the coil in a radial field is always
constant and maximum given by
τ = NIAB sin 90 OR
τ = NIAB cos 0
τ = NIAB maximum
Radial field is used in moving coil galvanometer.
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Example 13 :
A 50 turns rectangular coil with sides 10 cm × 20 cm is placed
vertically in a uniform horizontal magnetic field of magnitude 2.5 T.
If the current flows in the coil is 7.3 A, determine the torque acting
on the coil when the plane of the coil is
a. perpendicular to the field,
b. parallel to the field,
c. at 75° to the field.
Solution : N = 50 turns; B = 2.5 T; I = 7.3 A
The area of the coil is given by
A = (10 × 10 −2 )( 20 × 10 −2 ) = 2.0 × 10 −2 m 2
a.

B  From the figure, θ = 90° and φ = 0° , thus the
θ = 90 torque on the coil is

A τ = NIAB cos θ OR τ = NIAB sin φ
= NIAB cos 90 
= NIAB sin 0
τ =0 8

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Solution : N = 50 turns; B = 2.5 T; I = 7.3 A

b. A  From the figure, θ = 0° and φ = 90° , thus the
B torque on the coil is
φ = 90 τ = NIAB cos θ
(
= ( 50 )( 7.3) 2.0 ×10 −2
)( 2.5) cos 0 
τ = 18.3 N m

c. B From the figure, θ = 75° and φ = 15°,thus
the torque on the coil is
θ = 75 
φ = 15 τ = NIAB cos θ
 = ( 50 )( 7.3) ( 2.0 ×10 −2 )( 2.5) cos 75
A
τ = 4.72 N m
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6.6.2 Moving-coil galvanometer
 A galvanometer consists of a coil of wire suspended in the
magnetic field of a permanent magnet. The coil is rectangular
shape and consists of many turns of fine wire as shown in
Figure 6.34.
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Figure 6.34

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 When the current I flows through the coil, the magnetic field
coil
exerts a torque on the coil as given by
τ = NIAB
 This torque is opposed by a spring which exerts a torque, τs
given by
τ s = kθ (6.17)
where k : torsional constant
θ : rotation angle of the coil in radian
 The coil and pointer will rotate only to the point where the
spring torque balances the torque due to magnetic field,
field
thus τ = τs
NIAB = kθ
kθ
I= (6.18)
NAB
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Example 14 :
A rectangular coil of 10 cm × 4.0 cm in a galvanometer has 50 turns
and a magnetic flux density of 5.0 × 10−2 T. The resistance of the
coil is 40 Ω and a potential difference of 12 V is applied across the
galvanometer, calculate the maximum torque on the coil.
−2
Solution : N = 50 turns; B = 5.0 × 10 T; R = 40 Ω;
V = 12 V
The area of the coil is given by
A = (10 × 10 −2 )( 4.0 × 10 −2 ) = 4.0 × 10 −3 m 2
The current through the galvanometer is
V = IR 12 = I ( 40 )
I = 0.3 A
Therefore the maximum torque on the coil is
τ max = NIAB
= ( 50)( 0.3) ( 4.0 ×10 −3 )( 5.0 ×10 −2 )
τ max = 3.0 × 10 −3 N m 12

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6.6.3 Electrical instruments
Ohmmeter
 It is used to measure the unknown resistance of the resistor.
resistor
 Figure 6.35 shows the internal connection of an Ohmmeter.
where
∞ 0
RM : meter (coil) resistance
RS : variable resistance
Ω RX : unknown resistance
ε
RM RS
P RX Q
Figure 6.35 13

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 When nothing is connected to terminals P and Q, so that the
Q
circuit is open (that is, when R → ∞ ), there is no current and
no deflection.
deflection
 When terminals P and Q are short circuited (that is when
R = 0), the ohmmeter deflects full-scale.
0 full-scale
 For any value of RX the meter deflection depends on the value of
RX.
Ammeter
 It is used to measure a current flows in the circuit.
circuit
 Ammeter is connected in series with other elements in the
circuit because the current to be measured must pass directly
through the ammeter.
ammeter
 An ammeter should have low internal resistance (RM) so that
the current in the circuit would not affected.
affected
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 The maximum reading from the ammeter is known as full scale
deflection (fs).
 If the full scale current passing through the ammeter then the
potential difference (p.d.) across that ammeter is given by
Vfs = I fs RM
where RM : meter(coil) resistance
I fs : full scale current
Vfs : full scale potential difference (p.d.)
 If the meter is used to measure currents that are larger than its
full scale deflection (I >Ifs), some modification has to be done.
 A resistor has to be connected in parallel with the meter
(coil) resistance RM so that some of the current will
bypasses the meter (coil) resistance.
resistance
 This parallel resistor is called a shunt denoted as RS.
 Figure 6.36 shows the internal connection of an ammeter with
a shunt in parallel.
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0 max
A
I I fs I
IS RM
RS
Figure 6.36
 Since shunt is connected in parallel with the meter (coil)
resistance then
VRM = VRS
I fs RM = I S RS and I S = I − I fs
 I fs 
I fs RM = ( I − I fs ) RS RS = 
I −I   RM (6.19)
 16 fs 

17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Voltmeter
 It is used to measure a potential difference (p.d.) across
electrical elements in the circuit.
circuit
 Voltmeter is connected in parallel with other elements in the
circuit therefore its resistance must be larger than the
resistance of the element so that a very small amount of
current only can flows through it. An ideal voltmeter has
it
infinity resistance so that no current exist in it.
 To measure a potential difference that are larger than its full
scale deflection (V > Vfs), the voltmeter has to be modified.
 A resistor has to be connected in series with the meter
(coil) resistance RM so that only a fraction of the total p.d.
appears across the RM and the remainder appears across
the serial resistor.
 This serial resistor is called a multiplier OR bobbin
denoted as RB.
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 Figure 6.37 shows the internal connection of a voltmeter with a multiplier
in series.
0 max
V
I fs
RB RM
V
I I1 Electrical
element
 Since the multiplier is connected in series with the meter (coil) resistance
Figure 6.37
then the current through them are the same, Ifs.
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 The p.d. across the electrical element is given by
V = VRB + VRM
Hence the multiplier resistance is
V = I fs RB + I fs RM
 V − I fs RM 
RB = 
 
 (6.20)
 I fs 
Note:
 To convert a galvanometer to ammeter, a shunt
ammeter
(parallel resistor) is used.
 To convert a galvanometer to voltmeter, a multiplier
voltmeter
(serial resistor) is used.
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Example 15 :
A milliammeter with a full scale deflection of 20 mA and an internal
resistance of 40 Ω is to be used as an ammeter with a full scale
deflection of 500 mA. Calculate the resistance of the shunt
required. I = 20 × 10 −3 A; R = 40 Ω; I = 500 × 10 −3 A
fs M
Solution :
By applying the formula of shunt
 resistor, thus
I fs
RS = 
 I − I  RM
 fs 
 20 × 10 −3 
= ( 40)
 500 × 10 − 20 × 10
−3 −3 
 
RS = 1.67 Ω
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Example 16 :
A galvanometer has an internal resistance of 30 Ω and deflects full
scale for a 50 µA current. Describe how to use this galvanometer
to make
a. an ammeter to read currents up to 30 A.
b. a voltmeter to give a full scale deflection of 1000 V.
−6
Solution : I fs = 50 × 10 A; RM = 30 Ω
a. We make an ammeter by putting a resistor in parallel ( RS) with
the internal resistance, RM of the galvanometer as shown in
figure below.
RM
I I fs
IS G
RS 21

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Solution : I fs = 50 × 10 −6 A; RM = 30 Ω
a. Given I = 30 A
Since RS in parallel with RM therefore
VRM = VRS
I fs RM = I S RS and I S = I − I fs
I fs RM = ( I − I fs ) RS
(50 ×10 )( 30) = (30 − 50 ×10 ) R
−6 −6
S
RS = 5.0 × 10 −5 Ω in parallel.
b. We make a voltmeter by putting a resistor in series (RB) with the
internal resistance, RM of the galvanometer as shown in figure
R
RB M
below.
I fs G I fs
V 22

23. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
−6
Solution : I fs = 50 × 10 A; RM = 30 Ω
b. Given V = 1000 V
Since RB in series with RM therefore
V = VRB + VRM
V = I fs RB + I fs RM
( ) (
1000 = 50 × 10 −6 RB + 50 × 10 −6 ( 30 ) )
RB = 2.0 × 10 7 Ω in series.
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Exercise 6.5 :
1. A moving coil meter has a 50 turns coil measuring 1.0 cm by
2.0 cm. It is held in a radial magnetic field of flux density
0.15 T and its suspension has a torsional constant of 3.0×10−6
N m rad−1. Determine the current is required to give a
deflection of 0.5 rad.
ANS. : 1.0× 10− 3 A
2. A milliammeter of negligible resistance produces a full scale
deflection when the current is 1 mA. How would you convert
the milliammeter to a voltmeter with full scale deflection of
10 V?
ANS. : 1.0× 104 Ω in series
3. A moving-coil meter has a resistance of 5.0 Ω and full scale
deflection is produced by a current of 1.0 mA. How can this
meter be adapted for use as :
a. a voltmeter reading up to 10 V,
b. a ammeter reading up to 2?
ANS. : 9995 Ω in series; 2.5× 10− 3 Ω in parallel
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