EXPERIMENT No.

4: I-H CURVE

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 EXPERIMENT No.4

OBJECTIVE:

To plot I-H curve for iron in the form of rod.

APPARATUS:

Specimen (iron rod), power supply, bench having a circular coil, compass box, solenoid and
connecting wires.

SCHEMATIC CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

Compensating Coil

Compass

Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the experimental set-up

THEORY AND FORMULA USED:

When an electric current is passed through a coil of wire, the coil acts like a bar magnet with a
north pole at one end and a south pole at the other. In other words, it acts like an electromagnet.
If a rod of soft iron is placed inside the coil, the strength of the electromagnet is much increased.
This is because the piece of soft iron is itself converted into a magnet by the effect of the
magnetic field produced by the current in the coil.

By putting an iron rod in the coil, the value of magnetometer deflection can be found to be
significantly higher as compared to the value without iron rod. This indicates that the combined

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magnetic field of coil and rod are more than the field of the coil itself. When the current is
increased in one direction up to a maximum value the magnetic field produced by the
electromagnet (solenoid) also increases to the maximum. Similarly, when the current is
decreased to zero and then increased in the opposite direction up to the same maximum value
magnetic field reaches the maximum value in the direction as compared to the earlier cycle. As
the current in the coil surges to-and-fro, the iron rod is magnetized first in one direction and
then in the other direction. But electromagnets are reluctant to change their direction of
magnetization. The direction does change, but lags behind the change in current. Energy is
wasted in forcing the bar to change its direction of magnetization and the name given to this
energy loss is hysteresis.

The magnetizing field H due to a solenoid is given by,

H=n.i amp/m ……………(1)

Where,
n = No. of turns per unit length on the solenoid (200 Turns)
i = Current in the solenoid in amp

On introducing the iron rod in the solenoid, the rod gets magnetized. If the magnetic moment
of the rod is M then magnetic field B at a distance d from its centre along its axis is given by

𝜇0 2𝑀𝑑
𝐵= 2 ……… (2)
4𝜋 𝑙2
(𝑑 2 − )
4

Where,
l = Effective length of the magnetized rod

If, θ be the angle of deflection of the needle from the meridian then from Tangent law,
𝐵 = 𝐵0 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 …………(3)

The intensity of magnetization I is given by,

𝑀
𝐼= = 𝐾𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 …………(4)
𝑉

From Eq. (2) and (3),

𝜇0 2𝑀𝑑
𝐵0 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 =
4𝜋 𝑙2 2
(𝑑 2 − 4 )
2
2 𝑙2
4𝜋 (𝑑 − ) 4
Or, 𝑀= 𝐵0 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 …………(5)
𝜇0 2𝑑

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Now from Eq. (4) and (5),
2
2 𝑙2
4𝜋 (𝑑 − 4 ) 𝐵0
𝐾= ……….(6)
𝜇0 2𝑑 𝑉

Where,
θ = Deflection of the magnetic needle
V = Volume of the rod
B0 = Horizontal component of the Earth’s magnetic field

PROCEDURE:

1. The electrical connections are made as shown in circuit diagram.

2. The given rod is kept away from the place of the apparatus and the circular coil
(compensating coil) is set in the magnetic meridian by rotating the bench. The compass
box is then rotated so that the aluminium pointer reads 0-0 on the scale.
How to set the apparatus in Magnetic meridian: Place the compass centre of the coil
and then rotate the bench till the small needle of the compass (Red & Black) is parallel
to the coil after that rotate the compass box and set the aluminium pointer reads 0-0 on
the scale.
3. The adjustment for magnetic meridian is then checked by passing a current and
observing the deflection for direct and reverse currents. If the adjustment is correct then
the deflection should be equal for the direct and reverse currents.
4. The solenoid and the compensating coil are placed on opposite sides of the compass
box. The compass box is set such that the nearest edge of the compass box is at a
distance of about 10 cm from the nearest end of the solenoid. The compensating coil
is moved and fixed at a position such that the deflection of the needle becomes zero
i.e., the resultant magnetic field due to current in the solenoid and the compensating
coil is zero at the centre of the compass box.
5. The given rod is demagnetized and placed inside the solenoid and the current in the
circuit is increased slowly to a maximum value i0 (between 1.6 and 2.0 amp) and the
deflection is noted.
6. The current is now decreased in steps to a minimum possible value down to zero and
deflection is noted for each value of current. Now reverse the direction of current using
the toggle switch at the power supply (current noted in negative value). Now decrease
the current down to a value -i0 (between -1.6 and -2.0 amp) and deflection is noted for
each value of current.
7. The current is now changed in steps towards zero and deflection is noted.
8. The direction of the current is again reversed (to positive) and the current is increased
in steps to the maximum value i0. The deflection for each value of current is noted.
9. Plot the graph between current i as abscissa and tanθ as ordinate.

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OBSERVATION TABLE:

S. Current, i Deflection of needle when current is Deflection of needle when current is

No. (Ampere) decreased increased
θ1 θ2 mean θ tan θ θ1 θ2 mean θ tan θ
(degree) (degre) (degree) (degree) (degre) (degre)
1. 1.6
2. 1.4
3. 1.2
4. 1.0
5. 0.8
6. 0.6
7. 0.4
8. 0
9. -0.4
10. -0.6
11. -0.8
12. -1.0
13. -1.2
14. -1.4
15. -1.6
.

RESULT:

The graph is plotted between tanθ along y-axis and current i along x-axis. This curve represents
the I-H curve for the given specimen.

PRECAUTIONS:

1. All magnetic materials should be kept away from the compass box during the
experiment.
2. Value of θ must be recorded positive or negative in opposite quadrants.
3. Direction of current is reversed only after zero value of current and not in between.
4. The value of the deflection is noted when the needle of the compass box is steady.
5. Adjust the voltage and current of the power supply using respective knobs gently and
slowly.
6. The hysteresis loop is traced by connecting the points using free hand drawing.

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Background Reading/Learning:

I-H Hysteresis Loop:

I-H hysteresis measurement, also known as magnetization curve measurement or B-H curve
measurement, is a crucial characterization technique for understanding the magnetic properties
of materials. It provides insights into how a material responds to changing magnetic fields,
which has important applications in various industries such as electronics, power generation,
and materials science. The I-H hysteresis loop depicts the relationship between the magnetic
field intensity (H) applied to a material and the resulting magnetic induction (B) it exhibits.

Hysteresis Cycle

Figure 2: A simplified representation of an I-H hysteresis loop.

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Initial Magnetization: As the magnetic field intensity (H) increases, the magnetic induction
(B) of the material also increases. The material follows the ascending curve of the loop.

Saturation: At point A, the material reaches magnetic saturation, where further increase in H
doesn't significantly increase B. This is the maximum magnetic induction the material can
exhibit.

Coercivity: As H is reduced from saturation, the material retains some magnetic induction due
to its retentivity. The reverse field required to demagnetize the material to zero induction is
represented by point B. This value is the coercivity (Hc).

Zero Magnetization: As H decreases further, B approaches zero, but there is still a small
remnant magnetization due to retentivity.

Negative Magnetization: As H becomes negative, the material's magnetization becomes

negative (opposite direction). The descending curve of the loop is followed.

Negative Saturation: At point C, the material reaches negative saturation. Further reduction
in H doesn't significantly change the negative B value.

Loop Completion: Bringing H back to zero, the loop is completed. The area enclosed by the
loop represents energy loss during one magnetization cycle.

By measuring and analysing the I-H hysteresis loop, researchers and engineers can predict
material behavior, optimize magnetic device designs, and ensure efficient utilization of
magnetic materials in various applications.

Figure 3: A simplified M-H hysteresis loop for different types of magnetic materials.

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Magnetic Material Classification: The I-H hysteresis loop helps classify materials based on their
magnetic behavior. Materials can be categorized into ferromagnetic, paramagnetic, diamagnetic, and
antiferromagnetic based on the shape and properties of their hysteresis loops.

Magnetic Saturation: The hysteresis loop shows the saturation point, where further increase in
magnetic field does not result in a significant increase in magnetic induction. This saturation point is
crucial for designing magnetic devices and understanding a material's limits.

Coercivity and Retentivity: The loop provides information about a material's coercivity (Hc) and
retentivity (Br). Coercivity is the reverse magnetic field needed to demagnetize the material, while
retentivity indicates the material's ability to retain magnetization after the external field is removed.

Energy Loss: The area enclosed by the hysteresis loop represents the energy loss per cycle due to
magnetic reversals. This is critical in applications where efficiency is crucial, such as transformers,
where minimized energy loss leads to higher efficiency.

Magnetic Switching and Memory Storage: Understanding hysteresis is fundamental for designing
magnetic switches and memory storage devices. The ability to maintain distinct magnetic states allows
for data storage in applications like hard drives.

Recommended Books:

1. "Magnetism and Magnetic Materials" by J. M. D. Coey, 2nd Edition (2010) Cambridge University
Press
2. "Electricity and Magnetism" by Edward M. Purcell, 3rd Edition (2012) Cambridge University Press
3. "Introduction to Solid State Physics" by Charles Kittel, 8th Edition (2005) Wiley
4. "Magnetic Materials: Fundamentals and Applications" by Nicola A. Spaldin, 1st Edition (2010)
Cambridge University Press
5. "Introduction to Magnetic Materials" by B. D. Cullity and C. D. Graham, 2nd Edition (2008) Wiley

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