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Course Physics 1
LABORATORY REPORT
Measuring Force on a Current-Carrying
Experiment Title:
Conductors in a Homogeneous Magnetic Field

Name of the student: Fatima Hasanli

Group number: PAE 22.2
Team number: 03
Experiment carried out: 2 February 2024
Lab report submitted: 23 February 2024

Supervisor: Associate Prof. G. Najafov

Synopsis

This report outlines the experimental procedure conducted by Group-3

to investigate the relationship between electromagnetic force, current,
conductor length, and magnetic field strength using an electromagnet
setup. Subsequently, the report will present the outcomes obtained
through laboratory work, accompanied by necessary calculations using
formulas outlined in this report.

Introduction

The aim of this experiment is to measure the force acting on a

conductor loop placed within a homogenous magnetic field generated
by an electromagnet. By varying the current passing through the
conductor loop and measuring the resulting force, we aim to verify the
relationship between force (𝐹), current (𝐼), conductor length (𝑠), and
magnetic field strength (𝐵) as described by the equation 𝐹⃗ = 𝐼 ∙ 𝑠⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗.

Theory

The phenomenon of electromagnetic force acting on a current-carrying

conductor in a magnetic field is a fundamental aspect of
electromagnetism. When a conductor carrying an electric current is

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placed within a magnetic field, it experiences a force perpendicular to
both the direction of the current flow and the magnetic field lines. This
force is described by the Lorentz force law, given by:
𝐹⃗ = 𝐼 ∙ 𝑠⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗
For a straight conductor of length 𝑠, the magnitude of the force 𝐹 is
given by:
𝐹 =𝐼∙𝑠∙𝐵
This equation indicates that the force acting on the conductor is directly
proportional to the current passing through it, the length of the
conductor perpendicular to the magnetic field lines, and the strength of
the magnetic field.

Apparatus

- Sensor-CASSY;
- CASSY Lab 2;
- Bridge box with Force sensor and Multicore cable, 6-pole, 1.5 m;
or
- Force sensor S, ±1 N;
- 30-A box;
- Support for conductor loops;
- Conductor loops;
- U-core with yoke;
- Coils with 500 turns;
- Pole-shoe yoke;
- High current power supply;
- AC/DC power supply 0…15 V;
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 - Stand base, V-shape, 20 cm;
- Stand rod, 47 cm;
- Leybold multiclamp;
- Connecting leads, 50 cm, blue;
- Connecting leads, 100 cm, red;
- Connecting leads, 100 cm, blue;
- PC with Windows XP/Vista/7

Figure 1

Setup and carrying out

• The force sensor and current measurement settings were zeroed;
• The current through the coils was set to approximately 2.5 A;
• The current through the conductor loop was increased from 0 to
20 A, force measurements were recorded at each step;
• If only negative forces were recorded, the connections on the
conductor loop support were reversed;

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 • The experiment was completed rapidly to avoid overloading the
conductor loop and support;
• The conductor loop current was set back to 0 A at the end of the
experiment.

Results – experimental and derived

The experiment successfully demonstrated the relationship between
force, current, conductor length, and magnetic field. By analyzing the
obtained data and fitting straight lines (Figure 2), we were able to
calculate the magnetic field between the pole pieces. All the obtained
results are noted in the table below:

Figure 2

Table 1

𝐼, A 𝐹, mN 𝐵 (calculated), T
𝑠 = 37,6 cm

0.05 230.4 1.22

5.37 234.6 1.22
10.19 215.1 0.57
15.17 274.2 0.48
20.1 268.2 0.36

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Table 2

𝑠 = 47,7 cm 𝐼, A 𝐹, mN 𝐵 (calculated), T
0.03 277.8 1.84
5.19 278.1 1.24
10.23 278.7 0.58
15.15 279.3 0.39
20.15 279.6 0.30

Table 3

𝐼, A 𝐹, mN 𝐵 (calculated), T
𝑠 = 34.8 cm

0.03 273.3 2.08

5.45 273.0 1.54
10.55 274.8 0.77
16.08 273.0 0.50
20.64 273.0 0.39

Table 4

𝐼, A 𝐹, mN 𝐵 (calculated), T
𝑠 = 38.4 cm

0.03 276.0 1.56

5.60 276.0 1.18
11.15 278.1 0.64
16.25 280.5 0.45
22.05 290.7 0.60

Table 5

𝐼, A 𝐹, mN 𝐵 (calculated), T
𝑠 = 46.2 cm

0.03 253.2 1.15

5.40 341.7 1.19
10.23 302.1 0.64
15.89 279.0 0.38
20.99 280.8 0.30

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Discussion of results

The results were consistent with theorical expectations. However, there

might be some errors. These inaccuracies may arise from different
reasons such as temperature effects, or external forces such as nearby
magnetic materials, electrical devices which could influence the
magnetic field and lead to fluctuations in its magnitude. Also, high
current can cause heating, which may lead to decrease in the magnetic
field strength. Furthermore, mistakes in handling or inaccuracies in data
recording can also impact the final results.

Conclusion

Taking all factors into account, this laboratory experiment effectively

demonstrated the determination of the electromagnetic force on
different sized current-carrying conductors while increasing the current
flowing through loops. Despite encountering some inaccuracies, our lab
objectives were successfully met. All necessary quantities were
identified and documented in Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, Table 4, and Table 5.

References
Laboratory leaflets.