Physics Department

Electromagnetism and Optics Laboratory

INDUCTANCE AND TRANSFORMERS.

1. Goal.

To study self induction and mutual induction effects in solenoids. Determination of the self inductance of coils and
study of the operation principle of transformers.

2. Overview

A current I flowing in a long solenoid (length l, section 𝑆 = 𝜋𝑟 2 and N turns) generates a magnetic field
B along the solenoid axis given by:
𝜇𝑁𝐼
𝐵= [1]
𝑙
where 𝜇 is the permeability of the surrounding medium.
The magnetic flux through the solenoid is:

𝜇𝑁𝐼 𝜇𝑁 2 𝑆
𝜙 = ∫ 𝑩 𝑑𝑺 = 𝑁𝑆 = 𝐼 = 𝐿𝐼. [2]
𝑙 𝑙

The constant of proportionality 𝐿 is the self inductance of the solenoid. 𝐿 is a geometric quantity
depending only on the dimensions of the solenoid, the material, and the number of turns in the solenoid:

𝜇𝑁 2 𝑆
𝐿= . [3]
𝑙

When the current changes the emf induced in the coil is:

𝑑𝐼
𝜀 = −𝐿 . [4]
𝑑𝑡

The value of 𝐿 can be experimentally determined measuring the natural frequency 𝜔0 of an oscillating 𝐿𝐶
circuit:

1
𝜔0 = . [5]
√𝐿𝐶𝑡𝑜𝑡

𝐶𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 𝐶 + 𝐶𝑖 is the sum of the known capacitor and the input capacitance of the oscilloscope (𝐶𝑖 ≈ 30 pF),
which exercises a damping effect on the oscillatory circuit and causes a negligible shift (approx. 1%) in the
resonance frequency.

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 Transformers are devices which use mutual induction to change the voltage and current of an AC
circuit. It consists of two wire coils wound around a core of high magnetic permeability so that most of the
magnetic flux passes through both the primary and secondary windings (see Fig. 1).

Fig.1 Ideal transformer

The coil used for the input power is called the primary winding, and the other one is denoted as
secondary winding. Either coil of a transformer can be used as the primary or secondary winding. An
alternating current in the primary coil creates a varying magnetic field in the transformer’s core. This varying
magnetic field gives place to a varying magnetic flux trough the secondary coil, inducing an alternating
induced emf in the secondary coil and vice versa. This type of emf is called a mutually induced emf, and the
phenomenon that occurs is known as mutual inductance.

The flux through a single turn of coil 2 produced by the magnetic field of the current in coil 1 is 𝜙21 . The
mutual inductance 𝑀21 of coil 2 with respect to coil 1 is the ratio of the flux through the 𝑁2 turns of coil 2
produced by the magnetic field of the current in coil 1, divided by that current:

𝑁2 𝜙21
𝑀21 = . [6]
𝐼1

Mutual inductance is a geometric quantity. It depends on the shapes and relative positions of the two
coils, and it is independent of the currents in the coils. It can be shown that 𝑀21 = 𝑀12 = 𝑀 and that 𝑀 is
related to the self inductances 𝐿1 and 𝐿2 of the two coils by:

𝑀 = 𝑘√𝐿1 𝐿2 [7]

where 𝑘 is the coefficient of coupling between the coils (|𝑘| < 1).

When a sinusoidal voltage 𝜀1 (𝑡) = 𝜀01 cos 𝜔𝑡 is applied at the primary coil while keeping the second circuit
open, the current 𝐼1 will change (neglecting resistive terms) according to eq. [4] as:

𝑑𝐼1
𝜀1 = −𝐿1 [8]
𝑑𝑡

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 From eq. [6] the induced emf in the second coil is:

𝑑 𝑑𝐼1
𝜀2 = − (𝑁2 𝜙21 ) = −𝑀 [9]
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

Combining eqs. [7], [8] and [9] yields:

𝑀 𝑘√𝐿1 𝐿2 𝐿2
𝜀2 = 𝜀 = 𝜀1 = 𝑘√ 𝜀1 [10]
𝐿1 1 𝐿1 𝐿1

Following eq. [3], if the two coils have similar geometries (𝑆1 /𝑙1 ≃ 𝑆2 /𝑙2 ) the ratio of the inductances can
be written as: 𝐿2 ⁄𝐿1 ≃ (𝑁2 ⁄𝑁1 )2 . The input and output voltages will be related by the number of turns in
each coil:

𝑁2
𝜀2 = 𝑘 𝜀 . [11]
𝑁1 1

This expression is known as the transformer equation. For an optimal coupling 𝑘 = 1 (ideal transformer)
the ratio of the secondary to primary voltages equals the ratio of the number of turns in their windings.

3. Material.
• Frequency generator.
• Coils 1000, 75, 150 and 300 turns.
• Capacitor 100 nF.
• Crocodile clips.
• Breadboard.
• Caliper.
• Connection Cables.
• Analog dual-channel oscilloscope.

• Transformer Iron core.

• Coils 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200 turns.

4. Experimental Procedure.

4.1 DETERMINATION OF SELF INDUCTANCE IN SOLENOIDS.

Short description
A square wave voltage of low frequency is applied to an oscillating circuit comprising coil and capacitor of
known capacitance. The sudden change of voltage at both edges of the square wave signal induces a magnetic
field in the primary coil which then couples into the solenoid and triggers a free damped oscillation in the
secondary circuit. For three different solenoids (75,150 and 300 turns) the natural frequencies of the circuits
are measured and therewith the solenoids’ inductances are calculated. Fig. 2 shows the set-up of the
experiment.

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 Fig. 2 Set-up and schematic circuit. L is the primary coil, L1 labels the solenoid in the secondary circuit.

Set-up

1. Connect the primary coil L (1000 turns) to the frequency generator. Set the generator to an amplitude of 20
V, frequency of 100 Hz and to a square wave signal.

2. Measure the length and the diameter of the 300 turns solenoid.

3. Align the 300 turns solenoid carefully with the primary coil L (see fig. 2a), so that the magnetic field can
couple efficiently from the primary coil into the solenoid. The distance between the two coils should be
maximized so that the effect of the excitation coil on the resonant frequency can be disregarded. There
should be no iron components in the vicinity of the coils.

4. Build the LC circuit using the 300 turns solenoid, a 100nF capacitor and the breadboard and connect it to the
oscilloscope.

5. The settings of the oscilloscope have to be adjusted in such manner, that one damped oscillation can be fully
seen on the screen and the peaks are clearly distinguishable as shown in Fig. 3. The time between two peaks
of the damped oscillation is the actual period length of the natural frequency 𝑇 = 2𝜋⁄𝜔0 .

Fig. 3 Damped oscillation on the oscilloscope. The actual settings can vary for differing coils.

6. Measure the period of the oscillations and repeat the procedure with the 75 turns and 150 turns solenoids.

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QUESTIONS

Present the measured data in tables, including the units and the uncertainties of the measurements.

4.1.1. Comparison of experimental and calculated values of the self inductances.

• From the measured period obtain the natural frequency and the experimental value of the self inductance
of each solenoid, 𝐿𝑒𝑥𝑝 , using equation [5].

• Determine the calculated value of the self inductance of each solenoid, 𝐿𝑐𝑎𝑙 , using equation [3].

• Estimate the experimental uncertainities in both cases.

• Draw a 𝐿𝑒𝑥𝑝 − 𝐿𝑐𝑎𝑙 plot and discuss the results obtained.

4.1.2. Determine the coils’ relationships between inductance and number of turns.

• Plot the self inductances as a function of the number of turns.

• Fit the expression 𝐿𝑒𝑥𝑝 = 𝑎 ∙ 𝑁 𝑏 to the experimental values. (plot log 𝐿𝑒𝑥𝑝 vs log 𝑁 and perform a linear
least squares fit).

• Compare the experimental value of 𝑏 obtained with the theoretical value 𝑏𝑡ℎ = 2.

4.2 TRANSFORMERS

Short description

The variation of the voltage V2 in the secondary coil will be studied as a function of N2 and V1. The coefficient of
coupling of the transformer will be determined in each case. The coils with 200, 400, 800, 1600 and 3200 turns
will be used. Figure 4 shows the set-up of the experiment.

Set-up

Figure 4

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Study of V2 in terms of N2.
1. Choose the 200 turns coil as primary coil and the 400 turns coil as secondary and place them in the iron
core.

2. Connect the 200 turns coil to the frequency generator and to the channel I of the oscilloscope. The secondary
coil must be connected to the channel II of the oscilloscope.

3. Turn on the frequency generator and select a sinusoidal output (AC) at a frequency 𝜈0 =100 Hz. Observe the
primary coil signal on the oscilloscope (channel I).

4. Determine the peak to peak voltage Vpp. The amplitude oscillations V1 is given by: V1 = Vpp / 2.

5. Observe the output voltage in the secondary coil (channel II of the oscilloscope). (The signal must be
sinusoidal and with a frequency 𝜈0 =100 Hz, as the input signal). Measure the peak to peak voltage Vpp and
calculate the signal amplitude. It is given by V2 = Vpp / 2.

6. Repeat the steps indicated above for the coil secondary coils N2 = 800, 1600 and 3200 turns.

IMPORTANT: for all cases keep the same voltage V1 in the primary coil.

Study of V2 in terms of V1.

1. Perform the same setup as in the previous section. Choose the 200 turns coil as the primary coil and the
3200 turns coil as the secondary coil. Put a sinusoidal signal of frequency 𝜈0 =100 Hz as input signal in the
primary coil.

2. Measure the voltage V2 on the secondary coil. By changing the voltage in the primary coil in the range 0.1-
1 volt, realize at least 5 measurements.

QUESTIONS

Present the measured data in tables, including the units and the uncertainties of the measurements.

4.2.1. Study of V2 in terms of N2.

• Plot V2 as a function of N2 and perform a linear least squares fitting.

• Determine the transformer coupling coefficient from the slope of the straight line, with its corresponding
uncertainty.

• Discuss the results obtained.

4.2.2. Study of V2 in terms of V1.

• Plot V2 as a function of V1 and perform a linear least squares fitting.

• Determine the transformer coupling coefficient from the slope of the straight line, with its corresponding
uncertainty.

• Discuss the results obtained.