PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY

PROJECT

Earth’s Magnetic Field using

Tangent Galvanometer

SS RUTVIJ REDDY
XII Science
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I give my sincere thanks to my Principal

Mrs. SHYAMASHREE CHATTERJEE of B.G.S.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL for giving me an
opportunity to showcase my talent in the
form of Physics project.

I also sincerely thank my Physics teacher

Ms. PADMA C.S. for guiding and supporting
me by giving me innovative ideas.

I would also like to thank my family for

helping and co-operating with me at all
phases of my life.

Signature of the student

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Contents
Aim

Apparatus

Introduction

Theory

Procedure

Observation

Graph

Precaution

Sources of Error

Conclusion

Bibliography

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Aim:

To study Earth’s Magnetic Field using a Tangent

Galvanometer.

Apparatus:

1. Tangent Galvanometer

2. Battery or Battery Eliminator (0 to 6 V)

3. Rheostat (20 Ω or 50 Ω)

4. Spirit level

5. Reversing Key

6. Ordinary Key

7. Ammeter (0-3 A) range

8. Connecting Wires

9. Meter scale

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Introduction:
A tangent galvanometer is an early measuring
instrument used for the measurement of electric
current. It works by using a compass needle to
compare a magnetic field generated by the unknown
current to the magnetic field of the
Earth. It gets its name from its operating principle,
the tangent law of magnetism, which states that the
tangent of the angle a compass needle makes is
proportional to the ratio of the strengths of the two
perpendicular magnetic fields. It was first described
by Johan Jakob Nervander in 1834.

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Theory:
The working of tangent galvanometer is based on the
tangent law. It is stated as when a net is suspended freely
in two mutually perpendicular uniform magnetic field F and
H, the magnet s to rest making an angle 0 with the
direction H such that,
F=H tan θ ... (1)

Let a current I be passed through the coil of radius R,

having turns N. Then magnetic field produced at the
centre of coil is,
μ0 2 πIN
F=
4π R
… (2)
Let H is the horizontal component of earth's magnetic field
and the magnetic needle comes to rest at angle θ with the
direction of H, then according Eq. (1) is,
μ 0 2 πIN
H tan θ=
4π R

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−7
H tan θ=10
2 πIN
R [ μ0
4π
=10−7 ]

¿ ¿
H=2 π 10−7 ∈
R tan θ … (3)
By substituting the value of current I, from eq. (3),

tan θ
I ( )
=
μ 0 2 πN
4 π RH
… (4)
Putting values of radius of coil of galvanometer R,
deflection θ and N, the value of H can be calculated.

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Circuit Diagram

Procedure:
1. Make the circuit connections in accordance with
the circuit diagram.
2. Using the spirit level, level the base and the
compass needle in compass box of tangent
galvanometer by adjusting the levelling screw.
3. Now rotate the coil of the galvanometer about its
vertical axis, till the magnetic needle, its image in
the plane mirror fixed at the base of the compass
box and the coil, i.e., all these three lie in the same
vertical plane. In this setting, the ends of the
aluminium pointer should read zero-zero. If this is
not so, rotate the box without disturbing the
position of the coil till at least one of the ends of the
pointer stands at the zero marks.
4. By closing the key K, the current flow in the
galvanometer. Read the both ends of pointer. Now
reverse the direction of current by using the

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reversing key. When the mean values of

deflections shown by pointer in the two cases (Le

before and after reversing the current) differ by

more than 1, then turn slightly the vertical coil until
the two values agree. This will set the plane of the
coil exactly in the magnetic meridian.
5. By adjusting the rheostat, bring the deflection in
galvanometer around 45. The deflection should not
be outside the range (30-60"). 
6. Record the reading of the ammeter and the
deflection of the compass needle in box shown by
two ends of pointer on the scale.
7. Reverse the current in coll of galvanometer and
again record the current and deflection of needle.
8. By changing the value of current, take four more
set of readings and plot the graph between I and
tan The graph will be a straight line
9. Measure the inner and outer diameter of the coil
with a half metre scale at least three times.

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Observations:
1. Range of ammeter
2. Least count of ammeter=.......
3. Zero error in ammeter =
4. Number of turns used (N):
Table 1 : For variation of θ with I
S.No Value of deflection, θ Mea Tan
. (degree) n θ Ammeter
For direct For reverse θ reading (A)
current current
Obs. Correcte
θ1 θ2 θ3 θ4 d
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Table 2 : For radius of tangent galvanometer

S.No. Inner Outer Mean Mean
diameter diameter diameter Radius
d1 (cm) d2 (cm) d

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1.
2.
3.
Mean radius of coil, R=……...cm

Graph:
From the graph,

BC
Slope of straight line = AC
tanθ
m=
I
… (5)
Now substitute the m in Eq. (4),
tanθ μ o 2 πN
m= =
I 4 π RH

Then, H = ……… Gauss.

Result:
The value of Earth’s magnetic field by using a Tangent
Galvanometer is,
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H = …... G = …... T

Precautions:

1.The battery should be freshly charged.

2.The magnetic needle should swing freely in the

horizontal plane.

3.The plane of coil must be set in magnetic

meridian.

4.There should be no parallax in noting down the

readings of ammeter and deflection.

5.All the readings should be adjusted between 30o

and 600.

Sources of Error:

1.There may a magnetic material around the

apparatus.

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2.The plane of coil will not exactly be in magnetic

meridian.

Applications:

It helps in investigating the magnetic field at the

central portion of a loop of wire that carries
current.
Facilitates the verification of the right-hand rule
for the field inside the current loop.
It makes possible the investigation of the vector
nature of magnetic fields and it helps in
understanding how they add vectorially.
One can easily verify the relationship between
the magnetic field inside the current loop, the
current itself, and the number of turns with a
tangent galvanometer. Here, the Earth’s field is
used as a reference.
 It helps in the determination of the accurate
strength of the magnetic field of the Earth.
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Conclusion:
The tangent galvanometer refers to a device that

facilitates the measurement of current according to

the principle of tangent law. It helps in the

measurement of the presence, direction, and power

of the currents. These instruments have the

following main parts- a vertical copper wire, a

circular frame, and a compass needle in the middle.

It was more sensitive than the electromagnetic

galvanometer. There are various uses of tangent

galvanometer pertaining to electric current and

magnetic field.

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Bibliography:

 www.google.com

 www.google.co.in

 books.google.co.in

 en.wikipedia.org

 unacademy.com

 www.scribd.com

 www.slideshare.net

 Comprehensive Practical Physics Class XII

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