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Activity 22 - Magnetic Field of A Bar Magnet: Studio Physics I
Activity 22 - Magnetic Field of A Bar Magnet: Studio Physics I
Studio Physics I
In this activity we will study the magnetic field created by a bar magnet, both theoretically
and experimentally. Although, to date, no isolated magnetic monopoles have ever been
discovered, we will see how well we can model a bar magnet as two magnetic monopoles,
one at each end of the magnet. This will enable us to calculate the magnetic field using the
same method we used to find the electric field created by two charges, one + and one –.
1. Using a compass, explore and sketch the magnetic field around your bar magnet.
Remember that the compass needle will align with the direction of the field. Does the pattern
you get resemble the electric field around a pair of equal +/– charges (a “dipole”)?
The magnetic force and the electric force are NOT the same force. The electric field
and magnetic field are NOT the same field. Nevertheless, we will explore in what ways
the magnetic field due to a bar magnet (which you mapped out in #1) is similar to the
electric field produced by an electric dipole.
2. The figure below (left) shows your bar magnet and its dimensions as seen from above
looking down at the magnet resting on your table. Measure and record L and W.
S N W - +
3. We will now analyze the bar magnet with the simplest possible magnetic field model
consisting of one positive magnetic charge (monopole) and one negative magnetic charge, as
shown above (right). Note that the fictitious magnetic charges are both well inside the
boundary of the magnet. Since we can only measure the magnetic field outside the magnet,
we do not worry about what our model would predict inside the boundary of the magnet.
This is typical for many types of numerical models in electromagnetic analysis.
Experience has shown that a good place for the charges in this simple model is W/2 from the
respective ends of the magnet, along the centerline. To make the analysis simpler, we select
an X,Y coordinate system that represents the symmetries of the bar magnet, as shown below:
Y
- + X
(W/2-L/2,0) (L/2-W/2,0)
Define D = L/2–W/2, then calculate D using the values you measured for L and W.
To measure magnetic field strength, you will need a measurement probe (the magnetic field
sensor) and an interface to the computer. Each of these components is described below.
The magnetic field sensor is composed of the wand, the amplifier, and the LabPro data
acquisition device. These parts are sketched below.
Wand
Adapter Plug
Amplifier
Box
LabPro
The Wand is a hollow plastic tube with a Hall effect transducer chip at one end (shown
above as the circle on the right hand end of the wand). The chip produces a voltage that is
linear with the magnetic field. The maximum output of the chip occurs when the area vector
of the white dot on the sensor points directly toward a magnetic south pole, as shown below:
The LabPro allows the computer to communicate with the wand. In order to measure
magnetic fields, the wire leading out of the amplifier box should be plugged into the LabPro
analog port 1 via an adapter plug. The LabPro itself should be plugged into the USB port of
the computer after the LoggerPro-3 software has been loaded. A file called Magnet.xmbl
(available on the Studio Physics CD in the Physics I folder) should be opened in LoggerPro-3
to begin taking measurements.
The amplifier setting should be on low to measure fields due to bar magnets.