Practical Endorsement GCE Physics

PAG11: Investigation
11.3: Determining the magnetic field strength of a magnet
STUDENT

Determining the magnetic field strength of a magnet

Introduction

This practical activity is intended to be carried out as an investigation in which you plan and
implement work to demonstrate your investigative skills.

Aim

 To determine the magnetic field strength of a magnet

 To demonstrate investigative skills
 To research, plan and implement a practical activity
 To make quantitative measurements
 To relate observations to research or theory

Intended class time

 60 to 120 minutes

Equipment (per group)

 various metal bars

 magnet
 electronic balance
 power supply
 ammeter
 stands, clamps and bosses

Health and safety

 With high current flow, leads and connections may become very hot.

Procedure

 Determine what you will investigate

 Detail your plan
 Obtain and record results
 Draw a conclusion and evaluate your findings

Recording

As evidence for the Practical Endorsement you should have detailed your method and the
variables which you took into account. You should have evidence of the data collected in a
clear and logical format. All work should be clearly dated.

Your calculations and an analysis and evaluation of your results will support your preparation
for the written examination.

This document may have modified from the original – check the master version on OCR Interchange if in doubt.

© OCR 2015 Page 1 v1.1 – January 2016

 Practical Endorsement GCE Physics
PAG11: Investigation
11.3: Determining the magnetic field strength of a magnet
STUDENT

PMT Tutor (2011), OCR A Physics A-Level PAG 11.3 [online] Last accessed date: 18 May
2023
https://pmt.physicsandmathstutor.com/download/Physics/A-level/Notes/OCR-A/1-Practical-
Force(N Skills-in-Physics/PAG%2011.3%20-
Current(A) Mass (g) Mass (Kg) ) %20Determining%20the%20magnetic
6 0.87 0.00087 0.00853 %20field%20of%20a%20magnet.pdf
5.5 0.8 0.0008 0.00785
Method:
5 0.69 0.00069 0.00677
4.5 0.65 0.00065 0.00638
4 0.62 0.00062 0.00608 1) First set up the metal rod
3.5 0.5 0.0005 0.00491 perpendicular to the magnetic
3 0.44 0.00044 0.00432 field between the horseshoe
2.5 0.37 0.00037 0.00363 magnet and both the rod and
the magnet should be placed
2 0.29 0.00029 0.00284
on top of the balance, the
1.5 0.22 0.00022 0.00216 ammeter should be in series
1 0.15 0.00015 0.00147 with the circuit.
0.5 0.11 0.00011 0.00108 2) Making sure that there is no
0 0 0 0 current flowing, zero the
balance and note down the
reading of the balance.
3) Have the rheostat on the lowest setting.
4) Record the reading on the balance.
5) Repeat the steps and take down the reading for I by going down in 0.5A and
changing the rheostat to change the resistance.
6) Take down another set of results by repeating the experiment.
7) Using a ruler take down the length of rod in the magnetic field in metres.
8) To find the value of force you would multiply the mass by 9.81Nkg-1.
9) Using the results plot a graph of force against current.
10) Then draw a line of best fit through the points and calculate the gradient.
11) Using F=BIL the gradient of the graph would be BL.
12) To find the magnetic flux density divide the gradient by the length of the rod in the
magnetic field.

Risk Assessment:

 Must be careful with the horseshoe magnet as it could fall onto feet.
 You must be careful when handling the wires as they will get hot over time as current
is constantly flowing through.
 When using magnets, students with pacemakers should not be near the magnets as
they can interfere with their pacemaker’s function.

This document may have modified from the original – check the master version on OCR Interchange if in doubt.

© OCR 2015 Page 2 v1.1 – January 2016

 Practical Endorsement GCE Physics
PAG11: Investigation
11.3: Determining the magnetic field strength of a magnet
STUDENT

This document may have modified from the original – check the master version on OCR Interchange if in doubt.

© OCR 2015 Page 3 v1.1 – January 2016

 Practical Endorsement GCE Physics
PAG11: Investigation
11.3: Determining the magnetic field strength of a magnet
STUDENT

This document may have modified from the original – check the master version on OCR Interchange if in doubt.

© OCR 2015 Page 4 v1.1 – January 2016