Electricity

LM 04

Electromagnetism
Earths magnetic field

Earths Magnetic Field

Purpose of Experiment
To learn the magnetic induction of a solenoid.
To measure the magnetic moment of a bag
magnet in a solenoid.
To measure the components of Earths magnetic
field.

Basic Principles
If we put a magnetic needle in a solenoid that carries
no current, then the needle will orient itself along the
direction of North/South of the component of Earths
magnetic field (hBE). If an external magnetic field is
added using the Helmholtz coil (hBH), then the needle
will rotate by an angle and will orient toward a
direction as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1. Vector diagram of magnetic flux density in A)

horizontal and B) vertical plane.

If a bar magnet is placed in a magnetic field with flux

2
density of B (weber/m ), the magnetic field will act a
torque on the bar magnet at magnitude of :
[Nm]

(1)

with M being the magnetic moment of the bar magnet.

F
B
N

S
Fig. 2 Magnetic moment in magnetic field

F
In the configuration shown in Fig. 2, if the bar magnet
is released, it will oscillate, and for a small deviation of
, the system oscillate with period T of
(2)
19

with I being the moment of inertia of the bar magnet

2
[m .g]

8. Repeat step 5 again for current values of 1;

1,2; 1,4; .3A !

By directing the magnetic field due to the solenoid BS in

parallel to the Earths Bb then equation (2) becomes:

Questions

(3)
1. Where does the Earths magnetic field come
from?
2. What does a magnetic moment mean? And
can affect the strength of a magnetic field?
3. Prove equations (2) and (3) !
4. What are the consequences if the magnetic
field due the solenoid is in parallel with the
Earths magnetic field?
5. What is the relation between the magnetic field
of the solenoid and the current i, length of
solenoid L, and the number of turns N (in SI)?
6. Make the data tables.

Data Analysis and Evaluation

Fig. 3. Circuit for experiment to determine Earths magnetic
field

Apparatus
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

Ammeter
Power supply
Solenoid
Bar magnet
Stopwatch
Variable Transformer
Compass

1. Draw the graph of current (i) versus 1/T ) and

explain your result.
2. Calculate the magnetic moment M from the
graph for the positive and negative currents.
3. Calculate the Earths magnetic field Bb from
the graph.
4. Compare Bb you obtained from your
measurement and the value Bb known for
Depok area (Bb = 37707 nT).
5. Make analysis and conclusion of your overall
experiment.

Procedure of Experiment
1. Measure the mass, length, and radius of the
bar magnet, and the ratio of number of turns to
length (n/L) of the solenoid.
2. Arrange the apparatus as in Fig. 3.
3. Place the solenoid parallel to North-South axis
of the Earths magnetic field (use the compass
to determine this direction).
4. Place the switch at the right side position (with
this position, the direction of current is defined
to be positive). Adjust the variable transformer
such that the Ammeter shows 1A.
5. Measure the oscillation period of the bar
magnet for 20 oscillatons.
6. Repeat the step 5 for values of current 1,2; 1,4;
.3A.
7. Change the position of the switch to the left (for
the negative current direction).
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