2.1.

5 EM
Magnetic moment in an external magnetic field

1. Aims of the experiment

Studying the torque due to a magnetic moment in a uniform external magnetic field, as a function of;
1. The strength of the external magnetic field.
2. The angle between the external magnetic field and the magnetic moment.
3. The strength of the magnetic moment.

2. Background
The magnetic force 𝐹⃗ acting on a charge 𝑄 which is moving with a velocity 𝑣⃗ in a magnetic field 𝐵
⃗⃗ is

𝐹⃗ = 𝑄 𝑣⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗

For a wire carrying a current 𝐼 and has length ℓ in a magnetic field 𝐵 ⃗⃗/𝑡,
⃗⃗ , simply; 𝑄 = 𝐼𝑡 and 𝑣⃗ = ℓ
where t is the time in which charge 𝑄 travels through ℓ. The magnetic force acting on the wire is then

𝐹⃗ = 𝐼 ⃗⃗
ℓ×𝐵⃗⃗.

⃗⃗ is
Let us first suppose that we have a rectangular loop with sides ℓ and ℎ, and the magnetic field 𝐵
always normal to the ℓ side and at the same time tangent to the
side ℎ, this means that ⃗⃗ × 𝐵
𝐹⃗𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 𝐼 ℎ ⃗⃗ = 𝐼ℎ𝐵 𝑠𝑖𝑛0 = 0

⃗⃗ × 𝐵
𝐹⃗𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 = 𝐼 ℓ ⃗⃗ = 𝐼ℓ𝐵 𝑠𝑖𝑛90 = 𝐼ℓ𝐵 ⃗⃗
𝑭
Thus, the only acting part of the magnetic force is the normal one. ⃗⃗
𝒓
⃗𝒓⃗
The torque 𝑇⃗⃗ or moment exerted by a force 𝐹⃗ to make a rotation
about an axis is equal to the product of that force by the lever arm 𝑟⃗ ⃗⃗
𝑭
;
t
⃗⃗ = 𝑟⃗ × 𝐹⃗ .
𝑇
Since we have two normal sides and in turn two forces acting in the same direction of rotation, the torque
is doubled, the total torque becomes

∴ 𝑇 ⃗⃗ = 𝐼 𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗ = 2 𝐼ℓ (ℎ/2) × 𝐵 ⃗⃗

, where 𝑟⃗ = ℎ/2 , 𝐴 = ℓℎ, 𝐴⃗ = 𝐴𝑎̂𝑛 is the area of the loop and 𝑎̂𝑛 is the unit vector normal to area.
In general, the torque due to the magnetic moment of a current loop
⃗⃗ is given by
in an external magnetic field 𝐵
⃗⃗ = 𝜇⃗ × 𝐵
𝑇 ⃗⃗

, defining the magnetic moment of a current loop as 𝜇⃗ = 𝐼 𝐴⃗ .

The magnetic moment is the magnetic strength and orientation of a magnet or other object that produces
a magnetic field. Examples of objects that have magnetic moments include: loops of electric current
(such as electromagnets), permanent magnets, moving elementary particles (such as electrons), various
molecules, and many astronomical objects (such as many planets, some moons, stars, etc.).
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 In our experiment, a circular conducting loop with 𝑁 turns, radius 𝑟 and carrying current 𝐼𝐿 is used.
Thus, its magnetic moment is
𝜇 = 𝑁 𝐼𝐿 𝜋𝑟 2
And the torque due to its magnetic moment is

𝑇 = 𝑁 𝐼𝐿 𝜋𝑟 2 𝐵 sin(𝛼)
⃗⃗.
, where 𝛼 is the angle between the unit vector normal to the area, 𝑎̂𝑛 and the external magnetic field 𝐵
The external magnetic field 𝐵 is produced using two Helmholtz coils carrying current 𝐼𝐻 :
𝐵 = 𝐾 𝐼𝐻
, where the constant K is the calibration factor of Helmholtz coils.
The torque of a circular conducting loop is finally
𝑇 = 𝐾 𝑁 𝐼𝐿 𝐼𝐻 𝜋𝑟 2 sin(𝛼)
Now, we can study the dependence of the torque 𝑇 on variables; 𝑁, 𝐼𝐿 , 𝐼𝐻 , 𝑟 and 𝛼.
3. Equipment and Tools
A pair of Helmholtz coils– Different diameter circular
loops - Two Digital multimeters -Torsion dynamometer
- Two Power supplies - Coil holder – Distributor.

4. Procedure
⃗⃗.
A pair of Helmholtz coils produces the magnetic field 𝐵
In the middle of the coils, a rotary conductor loop is
connected to a rotary force gauge. The force exerted on
the conductor loop is determined as follows:
1 - Turn off the Helmholtz coil current / conductor
loop current, so that the conductor loop is not
exposed to the torque.
2 - Bring the conductor loop to the desired angular
position.
3 - Set the torque meter in such a way that the upper
conductor loop strap is balanced with the underlying
markings. The same person should check the balance during
a series of measurements to keep reading errors (parallax)
constant. Write down the value that the torque meter is
shown.
4 - Switch on the current of Helmholtz coil / conductor loop
(the conductor loop will adjust according to the acting
force).
5 - Reset the torque meter again in such a way that the upper conductor loop strap is balanced with
the underlying markings. Record the value that the torque meter is shown and then subtract it from
the previous one.

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The following dependencies should be identified:
1- Strength of the magnetic field or current 𝐼𝐻 through Helmholtz coils 0 - 4A, (apply 𝐼𝐻 > 3A
only for a short time).
2- Current 𝐼𝐿 through the conductor loop 0-3A, (𝐼𝐿 > 3A only for a few seconds. After reading of
the torque value, turn off the power immediately)
3- Radius r of the conductor loop (small, medium, large).
4- N is the number of the turns of the conductor loop (N = 1, 2, 3).
5- The angle 𝛼 between the unit vector 𝑎̂𝑛 normal to the area of the conductor loop and the
external magnetic field 𝐵⃗⃗. (𝛼 : 0 to 90 °).

Choose the constant parameters for each series of measurements and follow this guideline:
1- The current of Helmholtz coils must not exceed 3A in any continuous procedure.
2- Let the power supply wires hang (mechanically) stress-free on the coil carrier.
3- Control that the torsion dynamometer to be at zero point before starting the measurement and
adjust it if it is necessary.
4- Very small torque occurs during the T measurement depending on the current of Helmholtz
coils 𝐼𝐻 . Therefore, it is suggested to use the conductor loop with three turns and an increasing
coil current for a short time to the max. 4A. Adjust the angle of the coil carrier in steps of 15° by
using the dents of the coil carrier.
5. Results

𝐼𝐻 (𝐴)

𝑟 (𝑐𝑚)

sin 𝛼

𝐼𝐿 (𝐴)

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