Aim:

1.To determine the reduction factor of the given

tangent galvanometer (K).

2.To find out the horizontal component of earth’s

magnetic field (Bh).
Apparatus:

1.Tangent galvanometer (TG),

2.commutator (C),

3.rheostat (R),

4.battery (E),

5.ammeter (A),

6.key (k),

7.connecting wire, ect.

Principle:
When a bar magnet is suspended in two Magnetic fields B and
Bh, it comes to rest making an angle θ with the direction of
Bh.

Fig.2
Fig.1

From figure (1) B=Bh tanθ. This is known as tangent law of

magnetism.
Theory:
Tangent galvanometer is an early measuring instrument for small
electric currents. It consists of a coil of insulated copper wire wound on
a circular non-magnetic frame. Its working is based on the principle of
the tangent law of magnetism. When a current is passed through the
circular coil, a magnetic field (B) is produced at the center of the coil in
a direction perpendicular to the plane of the coil. The TG is arranged in
such a way that the horizontal component of earth’s magnetic field (B h)
is in the direction of the plane of the coil. The magnetic needle is then
under the action of two mutually perpendicular fields. If θ is the
deflection of the needle, then according to tangent law,

Let I is the current passing through the coil of radius a with n turns,
then the field generated by the current carrying circular coil is,

Equating (1) and (2), we get,

The left hand side of equation (4) is a constant and is called the
reduction factor (K) of the given tangent galvanometer.
Now from equation (3) & (5), the horizontal intensity of earth’s
magnetic field Bh is,

Applications:
1. T.G can be used to measure the magnitude of the horizontal
component of the geomagnetic field.

2. The principle can be used to compare the galvanometer constants.

For performing in the real lab:

Connections are made as shown in the figure given below, where K is

the key, E the battery, A the ammeter, R the rheostat, C the
commutator, and T.G the tangent galvanometer. The commutator can
reverse the current through the T.G coil without changing the current
in the rest of the circuit. Taking the average of the resulting two
readings for deflection averages out, any small error in positioning the
TG coil relative to the earth’s magnetic field Bh .
 F
I
G
.
1

FIG.2

The initial adjustments are done as follows:

The plane of the coil is made vertical by adjusting the levelling screws.

The compass box alone is rotated so that the 90-90 line in the compass
box is in the plane of the coil.
 The T.G as a whole is rotated till the Aluminium pointer reads 0-0.

 Note down the number of turns in the coil.

 A suitable current is allowed to pass through the coil.

 Note down the currrent as well as the deflection in T.G.

 Reverse the current and note the deflection again.

 Repeat the procedure for different values of current.

 Measure the radius of the coil from its perimeter.

 Determine the reduction factor and horizontal intensity of earth's magnetic

field.
Procedure
1. The Initial set up button helps to adjust the apparatus to be in the
magnetic meridian. The apparatus to do the experiment will be fully
active only after doing the preliminary adjustment.

2. A zoomed view of the compass box will be displayed then. Then the
slider Rotate compass box will be active. Using this slider, make the
90-90 of the compass box parallel to the plane of the coil.

3. If this adjustment is correct, the Rotate apparatus slider will become

active. Then adjust the slider to make the aluminium pointer reads 0-0.

4. Now the preliminary adjustments are over. Then go to the whole

apparatus set up using the Show normal button provided in the
simulator.

5. Make the connections as shown in the circuit diagram provided in

the simulator. The connection wires will appear when a hand symbol
appears at the terminals of each component.

6. When the connections are over, the Insert key button will be active,
which enables the user to close the circuit.

7. Using the combo box Number of turns of the coil, one can select
the desired T.G with different number of turns.
8. The slider Radius of the coil enables one to change the radius of
the coil. Then, the current in the coil is adjusted using the slider Adjust
rheostat. The corresponding current will be displayed in the ammeter.

9. For a particular value of current, note the readings on the compass

box. The button Zoom Compass Box in the simulator enables the user
to view the zoomed view of the compass box. Then reverse the
direction of the current through the circuit using the Reverse
Current button. Note down the readings.

10. Repeat the same for different values of current. Then calculate the
reduction factor of the tangent galvanometer using the equations
provided in the procedure.

11. To check the obtained result, a Show Result option is provided. On

clicking this button, the result will be displayed.

12. Reset button enables the user to reset the whole experimental set
up.
Observations and calculations:

Number of turns in the coil =....

Circumference of the coil, =......cm
Radius of the coil, a =....cm
1. To determine the horizontal component of earth’s magnetic
field (Bh):

The Horizontal component of earth's magnetic field (B h) can be

calculated using the formula,

2. To determine the reduction factor of T.G:

Note: Take deflection between 30 and 60 degrees.

From graph:

Reduction factor K of the tangent

galvanometer can be detremined.

From the graph drawn as,

 Result:

The reduction factor of the given tangent galvanometer, K =............A

Horizontal component of earth’s magnetic field, B h =...........T

 Conclusion:

Experiment in tangent galvanometer gives the reduction factor of

galvanometer and horizontalintensity of earths magnetic field.
Bibliography:
1.Illustrative oxford book

2. www.wisegeek.com

3. www.amrita.edu

4. comprehensive practical physics