EXP 07:

TO DETERNINE THE HORIZONTAL COMPONENT OF THE

ENTER`R MAGNETIC FIELD AND THE MAGNETIC
MOMENT OF A MAGNETIC BY EMPLOYING MAGNETO
METERS

Theory: When a bar magnet of length 2 is placed in the end on position with
respect to the magnetometer needly at right angles to the magnetic meridian, either
to the east or west of the needle such that it`s axis passes through the center of the
needle and the earth`s magnetic fields is at right angles to the axis of the bar
magnetic then the needle will be acted upon by two of force- one due

to the earth`s horizontal fields H and the other due to the field F of the magnet. It
can be shown that the deflection of the needle in it`s equilibrium position is

given by the relation

where M is the magnetic moment of the bar magnet and d the distance of the
needle from the center of the magnet.
If at the same place the same bar magnet is allowed to oscillate with a small
amplitude on a horizontal plane under the action of earth`s horizontal intensity (H)
only, then neglecting the effects if the moment of interia of the stirrup and the
torsional couple exerted by the suspension fibre (which are small quantittes in any
case), the period of oscillation is given by

or MH=
Where I is the moment of inertia of the bar magnet about the axis of suspension. If
the magnet is a rectabgular one and the axis of suspension is normal to the board
face of the magnet and passes through it`s center of gravity, then
where l`, b and m are the geometrical length, the breadth and the mass of the
magnetic respectively.
Finding from (1) and MH from (2) and (3), we can calculate H or M by dividing
or multiplying (2) by (1) respectively.
Apparatus: Deflection and vibration magnetometers, bar magnet, balance with
weight box, slide callipers, stop watch etc.
Description of the apparatus: See delection and vibration magnetometrs.
procedure: (i) weigh the bar magnet and determine it`s mass (m). Measure it`s
geometric length ( and breadth (b) (or radius if the magnet is cylindrical) with
slide callipers. Calculate the magnetic length 2 from the relation 2 =0.85x and the
moment of inetia from relation (3).
(ii) Remove all magnets and magnetic substances from the working table and
place the deflection magnetometer on the table with it`s two arms perpendicular to
the magnetic meridian perpendicular to the magnetic needle as in Fig. 6.2. At
this position the pointer usually reads ( of the circular scale. Level the
instrument.
(iii) Place the magnet on the arm of the magnetometer at a certain distance on
one side, say east, of the needle with

its north pole towards the needle. Adjust the position of the magnet on the arm until
the pointer reads about 45 on the circular scale.
Note the deflections at both ends of the pointer. Tap lightly on the glass top before
taking reading so that the needle may swing freely. Note the distances d1 and d2
corresponding to the two ends of the magnet from the needle. The distance of the

needle from the centre of the magnet is then given by, d =

(iv) Turn the magnet upside down without changing its position and note the
deflections of the pointer at both ends as before.
(v) Without altering the position of the magnet i.e., keeping the distance d of the
needle from the from the centre of the magnet constant, reverse the magnet in its
position so that the south pole is now towards the needle. Note the as before. Again
turn the magnet upside down without changing its position and note the deflections
at both deflections at both h ends of the p pointer as before.
(vi) Transfer the magnets of the pointer. to other arm of the magnetometer at the
west side of the magnetic needle'so that the distance of the needle from the centre
of the magnet is again d. Repeat the entire operations described in (iii), (iv) and (v)
when you will get another eight readings for the deflection of the needle. The mean
of all these sixteen deflections gives 0 (see discussion). Using relation (i), calculate
M/H.
(vii) Repeat the entire operation of (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) by placing the magnet at
least at three different distances from the needle and determine the value of the
ratio Min each case. Take the mean of these values.
(viii) Now place the vibration magnetometer at the same place in such a way that
the line LL, marked on the plane mirror, is along the magnetic meridian. In order to
do so first of all remove all magnets and magnetic materials to a distance and then
place a small compass needle in the box above the line on the floor and rotate the
box until the line is parallel to the needle. Then rotate the torsion head till the
stirrup becomes parallel to the line. Remove the needle and place the magnet
horizontally on the stirrup. This makes sure that the magnet is parallel to the line
LL and hence is along the magnetic meridian.
(ix) Level the magnetometer. With the help of an extra magnet from outside,
deflect the magnet inside the box by a very small angle which should not exceed
5°. Watching the oscillations through a slot from above, note the time of transit
across the line on the floor for at least 30 oscillations. Take at least three
independent readings. Determine T, the period, for each reading. Take the mean.
Using the values of I and T in relation (2) calculate the value of MH.
(x) From the known values of and , determine H and M in the manner
mentioned in the theory.
Result:
(A) Moment of inertianor the magnet Length and breadth of the magnet by slide
Determine the vernier constant of the slide the manner shown in

`=....cm
.......cm

(D) Determination of MH.

 No. of Times for 40 Mean period Moment of MH=
obs. oscillations ( (T) inertia of the
magnet
1

Calculation:
 Discussions: (i) remove all magnets or magnetic
materials at a great distance from the working table.
(ii) The deflection will be large and kept near about 45 so that the error will be
small. The value of will be large in comparison with the length of the magnet.
To minimize the effect of friction at the pivot, lightly tap the magnetometer box
before reading the deflection.
(iv) Operations (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) are important as they eliminate the following
three errors which are due to:
(a) The pivot will not be at the centre of the circular scale. This is eliminated by
reading both ends of the pointer.
The zeroes of the linear scale will not coincide with the pivot. This is eliminated by
repeating the readings with the magnet placed at the same scale reading along the
other arm.
b)The poles of the magnet will not be symmetrically placed with respect to the
mid-point. This is eliminated by repeating all the readings with the magnet
reversed end for end.
(c) The magnetic and geometric axis of the magnet will not coincide. This is
eliminated by repeating the reading with a particular face of the magnet kept
alternately up and down, without changing its position.
(v) The ratio between the effective length and the geometrical length of the
magnet depends to some extent on the breadth of the magnet. However, the ratio
0.85 is a fairly good one to take for the commonly used bar magnets

(vi) Use strong bar magnet for the sake of obtaining good results in this
experiment. As a result 0 will be large and so d can be kept large. This will reduce
the error in H. Further, d being large, an error in evaluating the magnetic length
will not appreciably affect the final result.
(vii) During the oscillation of the magnet, the amplitude of its oscillation should
not exceed 10° under any circumstances. But it is better to keep it within 5°. The
oscillation of the suspension fiber should also be avoided so that there is no
pendulum oscillation of the magnet.