Investigation 6: Magnetic Fields

Aim: Investigating the properties of magnetic fields through the use of a

computer simulation. Observe its utility in generators, transformers, and
electromagnetic induction.

Risk assessment: No risks involved as it utilises a simulation.

Results:
Part 1:
Distance from Magnet (cm) Magnetic Field Strength (T)

0.50 30.57

1.0 9.760

1.5 4.240

2.0 2.670

2.5 1.790

3.0 0.9800

3.5 0.7000

4.0 0.5100

Strength was set to 92%

 Change in Magnetic strength as distance from magnet increases

35

30

25

20

15

10

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5

X axis: Distance from magnet (cm)

Y axis: Magnetic field strength (T)
From this first graph, it is apparent that as the distance from the magnet increases, the
strength of the magnetic field decreases. This relationship is not linear, however, and
appears to be more hyperbolic. As suggested, let us observe the graph of the inverse
square of distance below.

Change in Magnetic strength in relation to the inverse square of the distance

35

30

25

20

15

10

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
X axis: Inverse square of distance (cm^-2)
Y axis: Magnetic Field strength (T)

The linear appearance of this graph shows that the inverse square of the distance from
the magnet is proportional to the magnetic field strength.
3. Therefore, B ∝ 1/r2 - B being the strength of the field, and r being the distance from
magnet. This means that the strength of the magnetic field is directly proportional to the
inverse square of the distance from the magnet.

4. It can be observed that the field lines within the magnet run at a differing direction to
those outside the magnet. Whereas outside the magnet, the field lines travel from North
to South, within the magnet the lines travel from South to North. This may be due to the
circular nature of magnetic field lines. Furthermore, there is a greater number of lines
within the magnet, which reflects the higher strengths seen when the distance to the
magnet is shorter. The cause for this is that all the lines dispersed outside the magnet
must return to the magnet and therefore the density is higher within the magnet.

5. The earth superimposed on the bar magnet has field lines which mirror those of
normal bar magnets – they are directed N to S external to the magnet, and S to N within.
One can observe that the geographic North Pole is matched to the Magnetic South pole
and vice versa - this is because opposites attract. It is because of this that compasses can
work. The N on the compass is attracted to the magnetic south pole, which is at the
north end of the earth.
6. Magnetic inclination is defined as the angle that is made by the compass needle when
the compass is pointed vertically. Positive values mean that at the point of measurement,
the field is pointing downwards into the Earth. Magnetic declination is the angle made
between magnetic north and True North (the direction pointing towards the North Pole).
We can see the direction at which field lines exit Sydney by placing the Field meter onto
Sydney on the simulation. This will only give us approximate values as the location of
Sydney is difficult to accurately discern in the simulation. The triangle below allows us
to calculate the angle of field lines:

1.19

3.61

Tan(angle) = 1.19/3.61
Angle = Inverse tan(1.19/3.61)
Angle = 18.244 degree
Our value of 18.244 degrees differs from the accepted value of 12.53 degrees, assuming
that the latitude of Sydney being 33.8688 degrees S, and the longitude being 151.2093
degrees E. However, the diagram does not take into account the angle created by tilting
of the bar magnet of the earth, relative to the poles, which may have caused this
discrepancy in measurement.

Part 2:

Voltage (V) Magnetic Field Strength (T)

1 8.890

2 17.780

3 26.670

4 35.560

5 44.440

6 53.330

7 62.220

8 71.110

Change in magnetic field strength in response to increasing voltage

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

X axis: Voltage (V)

Y axis: Magnetic Field Strength (T)
As observed, there is a linear relationship between the increase in voltage and the
strength of the magnetic field. This is expected because:
B = (μ x I)/2πr (where μ is a constant, and r is the distance from the wire)
V = IR
I = V/R
Therefore,
B = V(μ/2πrR)

This equation shows that B is directly proportional to V, which is seen in the above
graph. The gradient of the graph is represented by μ/2πrR.

5. The switch to AC from DC creates an alternating magnetic field, which is created

because of the alternating electrical current. In a DC current, there is a constant current
which is unidirectional – this creates a magnetic field that is both constant and
unidirectional. In contrast, the magnitude of the magnetic field in AC current will rise to
its maximum and back down every half period – this is in accord with the voltage of the
AC source.

Part 3:
Dragging the magnet through the coil causes voltage in the wires to be created. This is
observed in the voltmeter measurements. However, this is not observed when the
magnet is stationary – in this case, no voltage is generated. The factors affecting this will
be discussed in the end-of-report table.
Part 4:
The constant magnetic field produced by a DC current is similar to the bar magnet from
part 3. However, a current is generated in the secondary coil even if the primary coil is
stationary when an AC current is utilised. This is due to the consistently oscillating
magnitude and direction of the magnetic field created by the alternating current.
Factors affecting size of voltage generated in the large coil will be listed in the end-of-
report table.

Part 5:
The rotating magnet causes an alternating current to be produced. The magnetic field
passing through the coil is thus constantly changing direction. Applying Lenz’s law in
this case would mean that the direction of the induced current must match with the
movement of the magnetic field in order to stop rotation of the magnet itself. Therefore,
an AC current is passing through the coil.
Factors will be listed in the end-of-report table.
 Factor
Part 3: Magnet velocity
As B ∝ 1/r2
And
Φ = B*A
Via differentiation we can obtain
a change in Φ ,which, by Faraday’s
Law will generate a voltage:
∆Φ
𝑒𝑚𝑓 = −𝑛
∆𝑡
The faster the magnet is moved at
a given distance, the change in
time will decrease, and therefore,
the voltage generated (emf) will
rise. The opposite is also true.
Part 4: AC current frequency
Change in current frequency will
have a similar affect to changing
velocity. An AC current with a
constant amplitude causes a
Factor Factor
Coil area Magnet strength
As Φ = B*A, therefore changes in
area will affect the voltage As Φ = B*A, therefore, changes in
generated. magnet strength will affect the
voltage generated.
If A changes, then there will be a
If B changes, then there will be a
change in Φ, which by Faraday’s
change in Φ, which by Faraday’s
Law will generate a voltage:
Law will generate a voltage:
∆Φ
𝑒𝑚𝑓 = −𝑛
∆Φ ∆𝑡
𝑒𝑚𝑓 = −𝑛
∆𝑡 As the change in magnet strength
As the change in area increases, so increases, so does the voltage.
does the voltage.
Coil area AC current amplitude
Increasing coil area will result in a Magnetic force increases as
greater voltage as discussed in the amplitude of the current increases,
previous part. as Voltage is proportional to
magnetic force.
 change in V within a shorter time As Φ = B*A, a greater change in Φ
frame. This is because T = 1/f. will occur. This will then generate
an increased voltage as per
This increased frequency will
Faraday’s law.
reduce change in t, causing a
increase in the change in voltage.
This is because of Faraday’s law,
where
∆Φ
𝑒𝑚𝑓 = −𝑛
∆𝑡
Part 5: Wheel rotation rate Coil area Magnet strength
Increasing water flow increases Increasing coil area will result in a Increase in strength will also cause
rotational velocity. In this case, greater voltage as discussed in the an increase in voltage as discussed
the angle also matters, and previous parts. previously.
therefore the equation of
magnetic flux is Φ = B*A*cosθ.
An increase in the rate of rotation
increases speed at which the same
Δθ is achieved. This means that
ΔΦ can also achieved in a shorter
amount of time. Applying
Faraday’s law means that Voltage
is also increased.
Conclusion:
∆Φ
Faraday’s law; 𝑒𝑚𝑓 = −𝑛 ∆𝑡
states that the “induced electromotive force in any closed
circuit is equal to the negative of the time rate of change of the magnetic flux enclosed by
the circuit.”
The data collected supports this. We observed the differing effects of several factors on
the voltage generated. Factors that increased the voltage included decreasing time
required for changes to magnetic flux to occur, increasing strength of magnet, increasing
coil area, and number of loops.
These are the parts of Faraday’s law - therefore our experiment supports the law with
the data we have collected.