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magnetic fields? Try putting it near to a speaker

playing load music; does the LED flash with the
music?
7. There is a type of LED called a bi-colour LED
(Maplins code: QY83E). These devices are actually two LEDs contained within one packagea red and a green LED. The two LEDs are
wired so that one will light (say the red one)
when connected one way round and the other
(the green) will light when the connections (or
the power) is reversed. If you wire this type of
LED to the generator it is rather nice, as the red
will light when you shake the magnet one way
and the green will light when the magnet falls
back. If the magnets are small they can twist and
turn inside the can and so the light changes
colour in an interesting way. The changing
colour of the LED shows that this simple generator is in fact an AC generator (see above).

For details about the storage device:

www.creative-science.org.uk/gensimple2.html
For details about LEDs:
www.creative-science.org.uk/LEDS.html
For details about winding coils:
www.creative-science.org.uk/wire.html
For details about magnets:
www.axminster.co.uk
www.maplin.co.uk
www.netcomuk.co.uk/~wwl/neodym.html

Website information
For details about the Shake-a-gen:
www.creative-science.org.uk/gensimple1.html

Jonathan Hare

Acknowledgments
I would like to thank NESTA for the continued support with my NESTA Fellowship which is giving
the valuable space, time and resources to follow up
ideas and most importantly to dream up new ones.
I would also like to thank Angie Birch from the
Rough Science Team for giving me a load of those
damn strong magnets.

Creative Science Centre

Sussex University

L E T S I N V E S T I G AT E
Open-ended investigations that really work, with enough detail to start and finish a class.

Six ways to measure inductance

The following experiments generate highly consistent results with those obtained from theoretical predictions employing formulas derived from
Faradays law, the BiotSavart law and Amp`eres
law. They not only draw on the above theoretical
concepts in electromagnetism that enable pupils to
gain a comprehensive understanding of the topic,

but also provide them with ample opportunities

to use the CRO for measurements of voltage, time
difference, rate of change of current and decay rate.
Undoubtedly, these laboratory exercises, if used as
project investigations, will enhance pupils laboratory and problem-solving skills.
Five easily available inductors with different
orders of magnitude are used as specimen samples

Figure 1. The choke of a 65 W fluorescent lamp.

Figure 2. Geometry of the solenoid.

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Table 1. Sample inductors.
Sample

Type

Dimensions

Calculated value
(except sample A)

Choke of a 65 W, 220 V
fluorescent lamp with
siliconiron core
Close-wound, single-layer,
air-cored solenoid
Close-wound, single-layer,
rectangular cross-section,
wooden-cored toroid
Circular wire loop
Coaxial cable

External dimension of buckle-shaped core

about 2.5 cm 4 cm 12 cm (figure 1)

0.61.0 H at 50 Hz
(printed on the case)

l = 0.28 m, r = 4.18 cm and N = 493

(figure 2)
a = 18.7 mm, b = 23.6 mm, h = 17.4 mm
and N = 193 (figure 3)

5.26 0.21 mH

B
C

D
E

l = 1.0 m and d = 0.6 mm (figure 4)

a = 0.3 mm, b = 2.2 mm and l = 3.06 m
(figure 5)

30.2 0.6 H
1.67 0.05 H
1.22 0.04 H

The approximate value of sample A is printed on the case. The theoretical values of samples BE are calculated
using the following formulas in SI units. The percentage error in each case is obtained by assuming a 1% error in
length measurement and a 1% error in the formula, except for the circular wire loop.
For the solenoid [1]
L (in H) =

r 2N 2
104 H = 5.26 0.21 mH.
2.54(9r + 10l)

For the toroid [2]

L (in H) =

0 N 2 h b
ln = 30.2 0.6 H.
2
a

For the circular loop, we are unable to find a formula to calculate the inductance; the inductance per unit length of
a straight wire [3] is used. The calculated result is a slight overestimation because the flux produced by any small
arc segment tends to cancel, to some extent, the flux produced by the arc subtended by the opposite angle:


0 l
7
8l
ln

L (in H) =
= 1.67 0.05 H.
2
d
4
For the coaxial cable [4]
L (in H) =

 
0 l
b
ln
= 1.22 0.04 H.
2
a

Figure 4. Geometry of the wire loop.

Figure 3. Geometry of the toroid.

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P H YSI C S E D U C AT I O N

(table 1). With the exception of the last method,

which is applicable to inductance down to 1 H, all
the methods can be used for L > 10 H. Also, the

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Figure 6. Circuit for method 1. Comparison of

voltages VZ and VL (or VR ).

Theory and result

From VL = I XL ,
VL =

VZ L
VZ
VZ
L = 
L. (1)

2
2
Z
R
R + (L)

By measurement from the CRO,

Figure 5. (a) Configuration of a coaxial cable.
(b) Coaxial cable with core and outer mesh connected
together at one end.

VL = 0.42 0.01 V,

VZ = 6.00 0.10 V

= 2f = 2 (50.0 0.05) kHz

first three methods are applicable only when the
resistance of the inductor is negligible compared
with its reactance within the working frequency
range, that is when L  r.

Method 1. Comparison of voltages across

R and Z in a LR circuit
1. Measure the resistance r of the inductor (e.g.
solenoid) using a multimeter.
2. Connect the solenoid, L, in series with a
resistor, R, and a signal generator (SG)
with sinusoidal output set at a convenient
frequency f (figure 6). To simplify our
calculation, (2f ) and R are chosen such
that R  L  r or L  R  r. In
our case, the first inequality is employed with
R = 24 k (5%) and f = 50 kHz because
the maximum frequency is limited by the SG
at 110 kHz.
3. Use the CRO to measure the peak-to-peak
voltage across Z (VZ ) and R (VR ).

September 2002

and the multimeter

R = 23.97 0.02 k and

r = 12   R.

The error contribution comes mainly from voltage

measurements and adds up to about 4%. Substitute
measured values of V and R into (1), giving
L=

VL R
= 5.34 0.20 mH.
VZ

Method 2. Measurement of difference in

zero-crossings of VR and VZ in an LR
circuit
1. Measure the resistance r of the inductor (e.g.
the toroid) using a multimeter. The result
shows r < 1.0 .
2. Connect the toroid, L, in series with a resistor,
R, and a signal generator with sinusoidal
output set at frequency f (figure 7(a)). By
the same token as the solenoid, = 2f and
R are chosen such that R  L  r. In
our case, we choose R = 200  (5%) and
f = 100 kHz.
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T = (7.5 0.1) 0.02 s = 0.15 0.002 s.

Therefore, from (4)
L = 30.1 0.5 H.
The measured should be slightly larger than
its true value due to the neglect of r, but this
systematic error will introduce an overestimation
of L by no more than 0.1%.

Method 3. Measurement of VZ and slope

of the VR trace in a LR circuit

Figure 7. (a) Circuit for method 2: measurement of

difference in zero-crossings. (b) Phase relation
between VL and VR .

3. Use a CRO to display the voltage traces across

Z (VZ ) and R (VR ). Adjust the zero level
of both traces so that they coincide with one
another and the zero line of the screen.
4. Increase the sensitivity of the sweep time and
V -gain until the largest possible separation of
the zero-crossings, T , can be seen clearly.
Check zero levels again if necessary. Record
T .

1. Connect the circuit as shown in figure 8 by

interchanging the positions of the resistor and
the inductor (the toroid) in figure 7(a).
2. Use a CRO to display the voltage traces across
Z (VZ ) and L (VL ). Adjust the zero level
of both traces so that they coincide with one
another and the zero line of the screen.
3. Increase the sensitivity of the V -gain of the VZ
trace and the sweep frequency until the curve
appears as an inclined straight line across the
whole screen (figure 9).
4. Adjust the voltage output of the SG to obtain
convenient values for slope measurement.
Measure the slope of the VZ trace and the
amplitude of the VL trace.
Theory and result
By definition,
di
= VL
dt
L dVR
= VL .
R dt
L

Theory and result

From the vector diagram shown in figure 7(b),
VL
L
=
VR
R

(2)

tan = T .

(3)

tan =
For small ,

Eliminate from (2) and (3),

L = RT .

(4)

Actual measurement shows

R = 200.5 0.05 
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P H YSI C S E D U C AT I O N

Figure 8. Circuit for method 3.

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Figure 9. Measurement of slope of VZ trace.


For R  L, Z = R 2 + (L)2 R and
VZ VR . Replacing VR by VZ , and taking
maximum value for both sides of the equation,
L=

RVL |max
.
(dVZ /dt)|max

Figure 10. Circuit to show the decay curve in an LR

loop.

(5)

Substituting R = 200.5 , VL |max = (2.9

0.1) 50 mV and

dVR 
300 3 mV
max =

dt
300 3 ns

Figure 11. The initial V t trace (the lower portion is

distorted in an actual experiment).

= (1.00 0.02) 106 V s1

into equation (3),
L = 29.1 1.8 H.

Method 4. Measurement of decay

constant in a discharging LR loop
This method is suitable for measurement of
inductance larger than 10 H with little restriction
to the internal resistance r of the inductor, as long
as L/r is within the measurable time range of the
CRO. The choke of a 65 W fluorescent lamp will
be used to illustrate how this can be done.
1. Connect the circuit as shown in figure 10.
A square wave output is desirable but not
essential for charging the inductor.
A
convenient value for the external resistor is
R0 = 200 (5%) .
2. Obtain a V t trace across the resistor R0
(figure 11).

September 2002

Figure 12. The decaying portion of the V t trace.

3. Adjust the x-shift, y-shift, V -gain and

timebase of the CRO until a significant portion
of the decay curve is displayed on the screen
(figure 12). If a sine wave from a low
voltage power supply is used, only the lower
portion of the decay curve is suitable for
measurement. Record the zero level and the
half-life of the trace.
4. Disconnect the circuit and measure the total
resistance of the discharge loop.

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Theory and result

The inductor is charged by the SG and discharged
through R0 periodically in the above circuit. In
the reverse-bias half-cycle, the connection to the
source is cut off. The collapsing magnetic field in
the coil generates an induced emf and produces a
transient current in the upper LR loop.
By Kirchhoffs law,
L

di
+ iR = 0
dt

where R is the total resistance in the discharge

loop. Solving this equation,
i = i0 e L t
R

or

V = iR0 = V0 e L t .
R

By direct measurement
R = R0 + r = 213 0.2 .
When V = 21 V0 , T1/2 = 2.0 0.1 ms,
= e L T1/2
R

1
2

or

ln 2 =

Figure 13. (a) Circuit for method 5: measurement of

resonance frequency. (b) Phase relation of VR , VL and
VC in a RLC series circuit.

When the frequency of the source is equal to

the resonance frequency, i.e.

R
T1/2 .
L

1
=
LC

Therefore
L=

R
T1/2 = 615 31 mH.
ln 2

Method 5. Measurement
of resonance

frequency = 1/ LC with a driver

source
1. Connect the circuit as shown in figure 13(a).
2. Change the supply frequency and observe
variations in the VR and V2 traces.
3. Adjust for maximum amplitude of the VR
trace and record the supply frequency.
4. Measure the value of C using standard
methods, if necessary.
Theory and result
The current in a RLC circuit is
I=

VZ
VZ
=
2
Z
(R + r) + (L 1/C)2

where r is the resistance of the inductor.

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P H YSI C S E D U C AT I O N

(6)

a maximum current will flow in the circuit, giving

rise to
VR = I R =

VZ R
VZ
R=
.
Z
R2 + r 2

If C and R are chosen such that 1/C  R

at the resonance frequency, VC is approximately
equal to V2 . From the phasor diagram of voltage
vectors (figure 13(b)), VR and V2 (VC ) should be
almost 90 out of phase. This condition provides
a double check to ensure that the variation in VR is
not caused by variations in the output voltage due
to changes in loading of the SG.
Substitute measured results, C = 1.00
0.02 F and = 2f = 2 (2.20 0.01) kHz,
into equation (6):
L=

1
(2 2.20 103 )2 1.00 106
= 5.23 0.15 mH.
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Figure 14. Circuit to generate electrical resonance in an isolated LC loop.

Method 6. Measurement
of resonance

frequency = 1/ LC by natural
oscillation
When the target inductance is below 10 H, the
stray inductance in connecting wires and wirewound resistors may introduce a sizable error
in inductance measurement. This error can be
minimized by soldering the inductor, say a single
wire loop (sample D) or a few metres of coaxial
cable (sample E), directly to the leads of a known
capacitor. The capacitor is then charged with
a periodic pulse and the frequency of natural
oscillation of the isolated LC loop is measured
during the discharging half-cycle [5].
1. Measure the capacitance of C2 , if necessary.
2. Connect the circuit as shown in figure 14.
3. Adjust the frequency and voltage of the square
wave generator and the resistance of the
rheostat until the trace of an underdamped
electrical LC oscillation is observed on the
CRO screen.
4. Record the frequency of oscillation.
Theory and result
The circuit can be divided into three parts. Part A, a
differential circuit made up of C1 and R1 , converts
the square wave from the SG into sharp pulses.
Part C is the LC loop. By adjusting the output
voltage of the SG and/or R1 , C2 is charged to
some convenient value below 0.6 V in the charging
cycle. It is isolated by the diode in Part B from the
rest of the circuit and oscillates with its natural
frequency in the discharging half-cycle.
September 2002

By measurement, C2 = 0.31 0.01 F. For

the 1 m wire loop fwl = (2.40 0.05) 105 Hz,
1
Lwl = 2
C
1
=
5
(2 2.40 10 )2 0.31 106
= 1.42 0.11 H
For the 3 m coaxial cable fcc = (2.60 0.05)
105 Hz,
1
Lwl = 2
C
1
=
(2 2.60 105 )2 0.31 106
= 1.21 0.10 H.

References
[1] Jordan E C 1985 Reference Data for Engineers:
Radio, Electronics, Computer and
Communications 7th edn (Indianapolis:
Howard W Sams) ch 6-2
[2] Resnick R and Halliday D 1966 Physics (New
York: Wiley) p 902
[3] Harnwell G P 1949 Principles of Electricity and
Electromagnetism (New York: McGraw-Hill)
p 330
[4] Johnk C T A 1988 Engineering Electromagnetic
Fields and Waves (New York: Wiley) p 303
[5] Mak S Y 1994 The RLC circuit and the
determination of inductance Phys. Educ. 29
pp 947

Se-yuen Mak
Department of Curriculum and Instruction,
Faculty of Education, The Chinese University of
Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
E-mail: symak@cuhk.edu.hk
P H YSI C S E D U C AT I O N

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