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Magnetic Fields
Purpose:
To study the behavior of a bar magnet in varying magnetic fields at the end of a
solenoid and hence estimates the horizontal component BH of the Earth’s magnetic
fields.
Introduction:
1
The strength of Earth magnetic field ranges from 30 microteslas in an area
including most of South America and South Africa to over 60 microteslas around the
magnetic poles in northern Canada and south of Australia, and in part of Siberia.
The magnetic field strength of the Earth varies with time and also location at
which the strength is measured. A magnetized needle will come to rest in a definite
direction and the definite angle to the horizontal while it is freely suspended by a
torsionless thread through its centre of gravity. In figure above, the pattern of the Earth’s
field lines is shown and B H can be measured with a deflection magnetometer or with a
ballistic galvanometer. BH value also can be determined by using formula.
Apparatus:
Procedure:
1. The cork with a pin was clamped to the retort stand and the bar magnet was
hung from the pin by using the thread supplied about 5cm above the table.
2. All magnetic materials were kept away including the ammeter and the magnet
was allowed to stay stationary.
2
3. The mirror with the protractor was placed below the magnet and the 0 - 180
axis parallel to the pins on the magnet.
4. The solenoid was hold in a horizontal position at the same level with the magnet
by using the other clamp.
5. The orientation of the solenoid was adjusted so that its axis is perpendicular to
the axis of the magnet and one end of the solenoid was at 3.0cm from the axis of
the magnet.
6. A rheostat, ammeter, power supply and switch were connected to the solenoid in
series as shown in diagram below. The ammeter was kept about 50cm from the
magnet.
7. The rheostat was adjusted to maximum resistance and the switch was closed.
8. The reading I of the ammeter was recorded and the average deflection θ of the
magnet from 0 - 180 axis was obtained.
9. The value of the resistance of the rheostat was decrease in stages so as to
change the value of I and then the corresponding value of θ was measured.
10. All measurement for I, θ and tan θ.
11. A graph of tan θ against I was plotted.
12. At the point where I = 0.20A, the gradient s of the graph of tan θ against I was
found.
13. The solenoid was removed.
14. The internal diameter D of the solenoid, average diameter d of the wire used in
the solenoid and length L of the solenoid were measured and recorded.
15. The number of turns N in the solenoid was estimated by using the values of d
and L.
16. The value of the horizontal component BH of the Earth’s magnetic field was
calculated by using the following estimation
μ。 N l
BH ≈ {1− }
2 Ls D2
√ 2
l +
4
3
Result:
Analysis:
μ。 N l
BH ≈ {1− }
2 Ls D2
√ 2
l +
4
Where μ 。= 4 π × 10−7 Hm−1 and l = 0.030m
N = Number of turns of solenoid
L = Length of the solenoid
s = Gradient of tan θ against I
𝓁 = 0.030m
Discussion:
Conclusion:
The value is in the range of the real value of earth magnetic field. It is show that this
experiment can be used to measure the horizontal component BH of the Earth’s
magnetic fields.