Engineering Physics Laboratory

(Course Code : PHY119)

Experiment 2
AIM: To study the variation of magnetic field with
the distance along the axis of circular coil carrying
current by plotting a graph and also to find the
radius of the circular coil.
 Learning Objectives

1. To understand the working of Tangent Galvanometer using

Tangent Law.
2. To study the variation of the intensity of magnetic field along the axis of a
circular coil carrying current.
3. To calculate the radius of the coil and verify the value from the simulator
 Experimental set up

Rheostat
Circular coil
Ammeter

Commutator
Ammeter
Circular coil
Commutator
Compass
Compass box

Rheostat

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Basic Understandings
 Tangent Galvanometer

The magnetic pin in the compass

Top view of tangent box is suspended so that it can
galvanometer
spin freely inside its casing and it
will align itself in north-south
direction

The frame can be

rotated about the
Principle of tangent galvanometer is based
upon tangent law in magnetism. coil’s vertical plane.
Tangent law of Magnetism
The needle is placed between two magnetic
fields acting perpendicular to each other :
(i) the magnetic field due to the current in the
coil acting normal to the plane of the coil
(ii) the horizontal component of Earth’s
magnetic induction.
Tangent law of Magnetism
Biot-Savart Law to current carrying coil
For revision of the derivation :

(1) http://hyperphysics.phy-
astr.gsu.edu/hbase/magnetic/curloo.html#:~:text=Magnetic%20Field%20of%20Current%20Loop&text=Electric%20cu
rrent%20in%20a%20circular,what%20is%20called%20a%20solenoid

(2)https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/University_Physics/Book%3A_University_Physics_(OpenStax)/Map%3A_Uni
versity_Physics_II_-
_Thermodynamics_Electricity_and_Magnetism_(OpenStax)/12%3A_Sources_of_Magnetic_Fields/12.05%3A_Magnetic_Fie
ld_of_a_Current_Loop
 Questions on
Q
basic understandings
** 5 questions
each carrying 2
marks: you have
to answer all the
questions **

12
Step by Step guide to perform the experiment in
Virtual lab
 Type the following link on the address bar
http://emv-au.vlabs.ac.in/electricity-magnetism/Circular_Coil/experiment.html
Initial view of interface
Click on 'Initial Adjustment’ to adjust the magnetic needle position

Zoom view of
compass box
Initial Adjustment of compass box

Align the vertical plane of the coil

along the magnetic meridian

ROTATE COMPASS to properly

align

ROTATE APPARATUS to set the

needle at 0-0

Click “SHOW NORMAL” to back to

the set up view
Next make the connections with the connecting wires as
per the diagram and INSERT THE KEY
 Adjustment of variables

Choose “Number of turns of

the coil” [N]

Choose “Radius of the coil”

Place the “Compass position”

“Adjust rheostat” to allow

current in the circuit. [I]

Throughout the experiment

you will not change the value
of N, radius, I.

Only change the value of the

“Compass box position” [x]
9/16/2021
 Because of two component of
magnetic field there will be
BH deflection in the needle

Bx
Click “Zoom compass box” to
see the position of needle

9/16/2021
Note down the angles θ1 and
θ2

Click “Reverse Current”

Note down the angles θ3 and

θ4

Change the value of the

“Compass position” [x] to
any values (say 5, 10, 15, 20
and 25 cm) on both the sides
And note the readings.
 A Activity Based Questions
while you perform the experiment in virtual lab

** 5 questions
each carrying 2
marks: you have
to answer all the
questions

23
Always use graph
paper to plot
graphs
 Data taken from the virtual lab and graph plotted

Calculate the value of radius of Plot the graph between x and

the coil. n
tanθ.
10

tan = 8.1443
n
8 0

At x = 0 B0
a n
6

tan 
a B0 4 tan = 2.8794
At x = a Bx = =
23/2 23/2 2

Therefore, x = a 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃0 0
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30
tan 𝜃 = 3ൗ Distance from the centre, x (in cm)
2 2
9/16/2021
Precautions ( while performing the experiment in lab:
➢ 1. There should be no magnet, magnetic substances and current
carrying conductor near the apparatus.
➢ 2. The needle in the compass box should freely rotate.
➢ 3. The plane of the coil should be set in the magnetic medium.
➢ 4. The initial adjustment of the compass box should be done
properly.
➢ 5. The current should remain constant and should be reversed for
each observation.
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