ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I have taken efforts in this project however it would

not have been possible without the kind support
and help of many individuals.

I would like to thank my principal Ms Shalini

Dhanwani and my school for providing me with the
facilities to do the project.

I am highly indebted to my physics teacher Mr

Harsh Shodhan,
For his invaluable guidance, which has sustained
my efforts throughout the project.

I would also like to thank my parents for their

continuous support and encouragement.

My thanks and appreciation also go to those who

have willingly helped me out with their abilities.
PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT

METAL DETECTOR
 INTRODUCTION

A Metal Detector is a portable electronic device

used for detecting the presence of any metal within
close range. These instruments operate by sensing
changes in magnetic waves caused by being in
close proximity to metal. The concept behind this
device is to avoid any illegal or unauthorized entry
of metallic objects, bombs, knives, guns, within
the luggage bags of persons carrying them in public
places like theatres, shopping malls, park, airports,
hotels, railway station etc. In 1881, Alexander
Graham Bell invented the first metal detector.
However, it was Gerhard Fischer's portable metal
detector that became widely used after 1925.The
metal detectors have become predominantly
popular in the area of security over the last decade.
Metal detectors can vary in sensitivity and cost.
 COMPONENTS
1. RESISTOR

R1, R4-56K R5-27K

R2-33K R6-22K
R3-22K R7,R9-680
R8-15K

A resistor is a passive two-terminal electrical

component that implements electrical resistance as a
circuit element.

2. CAPACITOR
C3,C6-1KPF C4-270PF

C2,C6-1PF C5-12KPF
C1-22PF C7-100KPF
 A capacitor is a device that stores electrical energy in
the form of an electric field.
3.TRANSISTOR
BC-547

 It is capable of converting small-signal outputs into

large amplified outputs.
 It is mainly used for amplification and switching
purpose.
 A BC-547 is a 3 terminal NPN device.

4. DIODE
IN- 4148
  It permits the flow of current
only in one direction.
5. DETECTOR COIL
 The
electromagnetic field
produced can be transferred
by the search coil of detector
into the ground & receive the
electromagnetic field return
from the metal object.

6. BUZZER

 When the metal

detector detects a metal it
generates an audible sound like a
beep.
7. LED
 LED is a solid-state
light-emitting light source.
 It is a low power
device and has fast on and off
switch.
 Led emit light when
an electric current passes
through them.

8. POWER SUPPLY

The main purpose of the battery is to

provide power to the detector/circuit.
 PRINCIPAL OF OPERATION

The operation of metal detectors is based on the principle of

ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION-‘when an electric current
passes through a coil, it produces a magnetic field around it’.

In our circuit, the transistor has series capacitors in parallel with

the inductor to form a Colpitts oscillator.

First, the capacitors get charged. Once it gets fully charged, it starts
to discharge the energy to the inductor. The inductor then gets
energy and gives it to the capacitor. This process repeats itself and
makes oscillations which have a ‘Resonating Frequency’.

If we increase inductance it will decrease the frequency and if we

increase frequency it will decrease inductance.
The LC circuit activates the proximity sensor when it senses any
metal close to it, this sensor glows the led and makes the buzzer
glow.

WORKING OF CIRCUIT
Initially, the circuit is tuned to a fixed Resonating frequency
decided by the combination of capacitance and inductance value.

A metal detector consists of an LC oscillator(COLPITTS OSC)

which produces current in the copper coil and hence a magnetic
field is produced around it.

When the metal detector circuit is placed around a metal object, the
rapidly changing magnetic field lines penetrate through metal
surface & produce circulating currents called ‘EDDY
CURRENTS’ on the metal surface.

This Eddy current will create its own magnetic field that affects the
original one. Metal detectors can contain 1 or more inductor coils
used to interact with metallic elements.
The reverse magnetic energy is absorbed back which changes the
inductance of the copper coil and the frequency of oscillations.
Now the two frequency will be different & thus the oscillator fails
to maintain the original resonating frequency. The final transistor
conducts, hence the buzzer and LED is activated & beep sound is
produced.

APPLICATIONS

1. AIRPORT SECURITY
To check whether guns, knives are being transported.

2. LAND MINE DETECTOR

The military has used metal detectors to pinpoint buried land mines
since world war 1.

3. IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
To detect steel reinforcing bars in wire concrete pipes buried inside
floors and walls.

4. IN GEOLOGILAC RESEARCH AND ARCHEOLOGICAL

EXPEDITION
 To find;
 Coin
 Ring
 Jewellery
 Gold
 Small buried caches and even deep-buried treasures.

ADVANTAGES

 the circuit diagram is very simple and easy to

construct.
 We can easily measure the resonant frequency of
this circuit,
 Instead of fixed capacitor value, we can use a
variable capacitor for tuning purpose.

DISADVANTAGES

 It has less sensitivity

 Even the detectors with a good coil could not
always detect the smaller target to the required
depth.
 CONCLUSION

This project has been constructed considering the need

for a low cost Metal detector.

The equipment is compact, simple in design and can be

practically used anywhere.

This circuit may also be made using chip CS209A

Or a 555 timer.