Experiment 9

Magnetic Field Strength of a

Coil

“You might find it hard to imagine gravity as a weak force, but

consider that a small magnet can hold up a paper clip, even though
the entire earth is pulling down on it.”.

Lisa Randall

9.1 Background
There are two types of magnet; permanent magnet and electromagnet. A
permanent magnet is an object formed from a material that is magnetized
and creates its own magnetic field, B. A permanent magnet, permanently,
exhibits a magnetic field, B and displays a magnetic behavior. While an
electromagnet is made from a coil of wire which acts as a magnet when an
electric current passes through it. Unlike a permanent magnet, an electro-
magnetic magnet only displays magnetic properties when an electric current
is applied to it. Hence for an electromagnet, the electric currents generate
the magnetic fields, B. The magnitude and direction of the magnetic field, B
generated depend on the specific geometry of the wire, such as a circular coil,
two circular coils, solenoid, in which the current is flowing. In this activity,
we will study the behavior of the magnetic field strength of a circular coil
along the perpendicular axis, X through the center of the coil, C as shown
in Figure 9.1.
For a coil of wire having radius R and N turns of wire, the magnitude of
magnetic field, B along the perpendicular axis, x, through the center of the
coil, C, is given by:

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 Figure 9.1: A Single Coil

µo N IR2
B= (9.1)
2(x2 + R2 )3/2
where N is number of turns, I is current, R is radius and x is the distance
from center, C of the coil. For further reading, refer to ?

9.2 Objectives
At the end of the activities, students should be able to:

1. Measure the magnetic fields strength, B of a circular coils along the

perpendicular axis, x through the center of the coil, C.

2. Determine graphically the distance from the coil’s center, C at which

the maximum value of the magnetic fields strength, B, is decreased to
one half.

3. Determine the relationship between the magnetic fields strength, B of

a circular coils and the position, x along the center of the coil, C.

4. Determine the relationship between magnetic fields strength at the cen-

ter of the coil (x = 0) and current, I that is flowing through the coil.

5. Determine the direction of the magnetic field inside a circular coils

using a compass.

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9.3 Apparatus
Power Supply (D.C), Magnetic Field Sensor, Ammeter/Voltage-current sen-
sor, Compass and String

9.4 Pre-Lab
1. Write the formula of magnetic fields produced by currents for the fol-
lowing shape.

(a) A long straight wire.

(b) At the center of a circular loop of a wire.
(c) A solenoid

2. A wire is bent into the shape of a circle in the plane of a paper, as

shown in Figure 9.2. It carries a current, I that passes through the coil
in a counter clock-wise direction.

Figure 9.2: A Coil Carrying Current, I

What is the direction of the magnetic field at the center of the loop?

3. Write a brief article on the magnetic field sensors by PASCO

9.5 Procedure
1. Locate the center, C of the coil as shown in Figure 9.3. Then set-up
the apparatus so that the meter stick will pass through the center of
the circular coil, C.

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 Figure 9.3: Center of the Coil, C

2. Then construct the circuit as shown in Figure 9.4. Set the voltage, V
at the lowest possible value (e.g V = 1 V ).

Figure 9.4: Setup of the Experiment

3. Determine the direction of the current, I inside the circular coil. Then,
use the right hand rule and determine the direction of the magnetic
field inside the coil. Verify the result using a compass.

4. Record the value of the current, I1 when the voltage is the lowest
possible value (e.g V = 1 V ).Then measure the magnetic field strength
at x = 0

5. Repeat your measurement at x = 1 cm, 1.5 cm....6 cm..

6. Record your data in Table 9.1

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 Table 9.1: Magnetic Field Strength, B.

I= ±
Position, X/(cm) Magnetic Field, B/(mT)
(x ± ) (B ± )

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7. Change the voltage, V to second lowest value possible, e.g V = 2 V

Repeat steps 2-6 the the obtain several sets of data for x, and magnetic
field strength, B.
8. Then, repeat your measurement again with voltage, V is set to third
lowest value possible, e.g V = 3 V

9.6 Result and Analysis

1. Plot a suitable graph to reveal the relationship:
(a) Between the magnetic fields strength, B of a circular coils and the
position, x along the center of the coil.
(b) Between magnetic fields strength at the center of a circular coil,
B at x = 0 and the current, I that is flowing through the coil.
2. From the graph, determine the distance, x from the coil’s center, C
at which the maximum value of the magnetic fields strength, B, is
decreased to one half.