EXPERIMENT 5: EARTH’S MAGNETIC FIELD

1.0 Objective

1.1 To measure the earth’s magnetic field.

1.2 To measure the magnetic field produced at the center of coil.

2.0 Apparatus

2.1 Earth’s magnetic field measurement set (EM-01)

2.2 Banana wire connector / cables
2.3 Analogue ammeter
2.4 Rheostat (Variable resistor)
2.5 DC power supply
2.6 Meter ruler

3.0 Pre-Lab Tasks

3.1 Write a brief characteristics on earth magnetic field.

3.2 In our everyday life, how does earth magnetic field protect us?
3.3 Sketch out the configuration of the north pole and south pole towards
earth magnetic field.

4.0 Introduction

Theories and introductions are not enclosed as students are required to search
for it and include it in a full report for this experiment.

5.0 Procedures

1. Study the Earth’s Magnetic Field experimental set, and locate the
needle, the base, the protractor, number of turns and every labeled
knobs present.

2. Please ensure that the needle can rotate freely inside its case.

3. Set the needle so that it pointing at 0 degree of angle of the protractor.

4. Then, rotate the base of the experiment set (coils) so that the coils
winding direction also at 0 degree of the protractor. Check again to
make sure the needle is at the centre of the coils as shown in FIGURE 5.1.
 Connect the ammeter between DC power supply and rheostat. Choose
appropriate scale of the ammeter. DO NOT turn the power supply yet.

5. Connect the negative terminal of the power supply to the common

knob on the coil. Next, connect another lead from the rheostat to the
coil with 15 turns.

6. Set the output voltage of DC power supply at 10 V and turn it on. (If the
power supply has adjustable current output, set at the minimum).

7. Adjust the rheostat so that the current that flow through the circuit is zero.

8. Starting from this point, slowly adjust the rheostat (or output current knob
at the power supply) until the current value increase and reach readable
value. Record the angle pointed by the needle. Make records in Table
5.1.

9. Repeat step 9 until the current value reach certain value which that the
needle pointing at nearly 90 degrees.

10. Repeat step 9 to 10 by changing the polarity of the common connection

at the coil (S1 at Figure 5.1). Make all records in second column of table
5.1.

11. Repeat step 6 to 11 by changing the number of turns used. Record all
data for 30 and 45 turns of coil in table 2 and 3 respectively.

12. Finally, measure the diameter/radius of the coil.

 FIGURE 5.1: Earth’s Magnetic Field experiment set

6.0 Results and Analysis

Table 5.1

Coil Radius : …………………… m No. of turns : 15

No. Current, I θ1 θ2 Average tan θ A
(mA) (°) (°) θA(°)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

7.0 Discussion

7.1 Plot graphs of tan θA against current for all set of data. Find the gradient
of all graphs. What does the gradient represents?
7.2 Manipulate your findings, and find the value of Earth’s magnetic field.
Compare and discuss your result in details regarding to theoretical value
of B E.
7.3 List out and discuss all possible errors that might contribute to your result
for this experiment.
7.4 How can you measure the magnitude of magnetic field at the centre of
the coils? From your experiment, calculate that value.

8.0 Conclusion

8.1 State the experimental value of earth magnetic field achieved from this
experiment. Conclude it according to the objective given. Please attach
the result together with the conclusion.