Magnetic Field

Abigail SarahKatrize M. Cruz , Johann Samuel S. de la Pena , Josiah F. Fontanilla , Joverlyn D.

1 2 1,*

Gaudillo , Carmie Lynda B. Guimbatan and Hana Eunice B. Guzman

1 1 2

1
Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics - CAS, UP Los Banos
2
Department of Civil Engineering - CEAT, UP Los Banos
*Corresponding author: jffontanilla@up.edu.ph
Abstract This experiment discusses the findings in the experiment on
“Magnetic Field”. The objective of the experiment is to observe the magnetic
field around ferromagnets and electromagnets using iron filings and multiple
compasses laid on the vicinity. Objectives also include relating radial distance
from a solenoid to magnetic field intensity and measurement of the Earth’s
magnetic field using a tangent galvanometer. Results of the experiment indicate
that the magnetic field around a solenoid, or a magnet in general, traces lines
from the north pole to the south. The field strength was found to be weaker as
the reference point gets farther from the magnet. Measurement of the Earth’s
magnetic field yielded results around the range 10-5.

Keywords: Magnetic fields, magnets, solenoid

1. Introduction
A magnetic field region is the area around a magnet or a moving charge where a test object or a current
carrying wire may experience a magnetic force [1]. The direction of the needle of a compass near a spherical
natural magnet form lines that encircle the sphere and pass through two points diametrically opposite each other,
which is called the poles of the magnet [2]. Experiment showed that every magnet, regardless of its shape, has
two poles called the north (N) and south (S) poles. The direction of a magnetic field line points away from the
(N) pole and directed towards the (S) pole. Similarly, the poles exert forces on other magnetic poles just like the
way electric charges exert forces on one another, like poles (N-N, S-S) repel each other, and opposite poles (NS)
attract each other. The direction of the magnetic field can be determined using compasses and iron fillings placed
around a magnet [1].
A long straight coil of wire, called solenoid, can be used to generate a nearly uniform magnetic field similar
to that of a bar magnet. The field can be strengthened by the addition of iron core. The magnetic field is
concentrated into a nearly uniform field in the center of a long solenoid. The field outside is weak and divergent
[2].
The Earth’s magnetic field is similar to that of a magnet tilted 11ᶱ from the spin axis of the earth. The north
pole of a compass needle points to the south magnetic pole or commonly known as the North Pole. The north
magnetic pole is located near the South Pole. The magnetic field of the earth is around 2-5 x 10 -7 T [1].
This purpose of this experiment is to map the magnetic field lines around a bar magnet, current carrying wire,
and a solenoid using iron fillings and compasses. Furthermore, it aims to determine the relationship between the
magnitude of magnetic field intensity and radial distance from a solenoid, and the magnetic field of the Earth
using a tangent galvanometer.

2. Methodology
In part one, mapping magnetic field using iron fillings and mini compasses, the materials used were two bar
magnets, iron fillings, and mini compasses. The students determine first the North geographic pole and the poles
of a bar magnet using a compass. The bar magnet was positioned over a piece of paper such that it was aligned
with the North-South geographic pole, then iron fillings were sprinkled on the paper, and the observation was
recorded. Sixteen mini compasses were place around a bar magnet and the direction of each compass was
recorded. Two bar magnets were positioned collinearly with the opposite poles next to each other and iron
fillings were sprinkled on the paper above them, then the experiment was repeated using different magnet
configuration. The pattern formed was sketched.
 Figure 1 Different magnet configuration to be perform

In part two, magnetic field induced by a current carrying wire, the materials used were mini compasses,
metallic rod, connectors, rheostat, multimeter, and power source. After setting the configuration, the compasses
were positioned around the rod, the inner compasses was 0.5cm away from the current carrying wire while the
outer compasses were 1.5cm away from the center. The slider was adjusted until the current reading was equal to
0.25 A.

Figure 2

Set-up for mapping magnetic field of a current carrying wire

The direction of the compasses were observed and recorded. The polarity of the power source was reverse
and the previous steps were repeated. The observation was recorded. The current reading were modified to 1.8
A, and the previous steps were repeated.
In part three, magnetic fields induced by a solenoid, the materials used were rheostat, multimeter, voltage
source, and solenoid. A solenoid is consists of helical winding of wire on a cylinder, usually circular in cross
section. After setting up the circuit configuration, the slider was position at the middle of the rheostat. Twelve
compasses were placed on one end of the solenoid. The circuit was closed and the current was measured and
recorded. The direction of the compasses was drawn and recorded. The polarity of the power source was
reversed and the precious steps were repeated. The observations were recorded.

Figure 3 Set-up for mapping magnetic field of a solenoid

In part four, magnetic field of the Earth, the materials used were rheostat, power source, multimeter, and
tangent galvanometer. The radius of the tangent galvanometer was first measured and recorded. After
implementing the circuit configuration, the plane of the tangent galvanometer were aligned the short needles of
the compass. The knob of the tangent galvanometer with the lowest value was connected to the circuit. The
slider of the rheostat was adjusted until the reading is 01.8A. The needle of the compass was observed and
recorded its angle of deflection. The current reading was modified to 1A and 0.6A, and the previous steps were
repeated.
 Figure 4

Set-up for measuring the magnetic field of the Earth using a tangent galvanometer

3. Results and Discussions

In part one, based on the figure, the lines or pattern formed by the iron filings indicate the magnetic field
lines around the bar magnet. For this single bar magnet, the field lines formed closed loops from the north pole
to the south pole. It can be seen that more iron filings are concentrated at the two ends of the bar magnet which
indicates that in these areas the magnetic force is strongest.

Figure 5 Pattern formed by a bar magnet with iron fillings

In the next set up, magnetic compasses were used to indicate the magnetic field lines or pattern around the
bar magnet. It can be seen that the compass needles align themselves with the magnetic field lines of the magnet.
The compass needle points away from the north pole which indicates that field lines were emerging from this
pole and points toward the south pole indicating that field lines were entering this pole. As a compass gets closer
to the bar magnet, the compass needle points more toward the bar magnet indicating that the magnetic field is
strongest.

Figure 6 Pattern formed by a bar magnet on magnetic compasses

 Based on figure 7 configuration A, the field lines formed by the iron filings clearly show that “unlike poles
attract” same as that of the electric field lines of opposite charges. It can be seen that the magnetic field lines
from the north pole of the first magnet connected to the field lines of the south pole of the other magnet.
Based on figure 7 configuration B, the field lines formed by the iron filings clearly show that “like poles
repel” identical with that of the electric field lines of same charges. It can be seen that the magnetic field lines
from the south pole repel or move away from the field lines of the south pole of the other magnet.
As shown in the figure 7 configuration C, the field lines formed by the iron filings from the two ends of the
two bar magnets with the same poles repel or moves away from each other. Field lines from the north pole of the
upper magnet turns away from that of the north pole of the bottom magnet likewise the south poles of the two
magnets. On the other hand, it can be seen that field lines from opposite poles connects. Field lines from north
pole of the bottom magnet connects with that of the south pole of the bottom magnet and the same goes in the
field lines of the upper magnet.
A s shown in the figure 7 configuration D, the field lines formed by the iron filings from the two ends of the
two bar magnets with opposite poles attract each other. The field lines from the north pole of the upper magnet
connect with that of the south pole of the bottom magnet. Similarly, the field lines from the south pole of the
upper magnet connect with that of the north pole of the bottom magnet.

Figure

7 Pattern formed with iron fillings by two bar magnets in different configurations

In part 2 where the applied current is 250mA, the compass needles in this set-up indicate the magnetic field
lines. Due to the little amount of current flowing in the wire, the current-carrying wire produces a weak magnetic
field. As a result, the compass needles align themselves to the geographic north because the earth’s magnetic
field is stronger than the magnetic field produced by the current-carrying wire. Also, the direction of the current
did not matter since the magnitude of the current is small. It can be said that a compass needle will point to the
geographic north in response to the earth’s magnetic field unless it is near a source of strong magnetic field.
Based on this observation, the strength of the magnetic field is inversely proportional to the distance from the
wire. Also seen in the figures, the direction of the magnetic field is perpendicular to the direction of the current.
 Figure 8 Direction of magnetic field intensity induced by a current carrying wire with 250 mA

In part 2 where the applied current is 1.8A, when the current is directed downward, the compass needles
pointed in a clockwise direction in top view. While when the current is directed upward, the compass of the
needles pointed in a counter-clockwise direction in top view. It can be said that when the direction of the current
is reversed, the direction of magnetic field is also reversed. As seen in the figures, the needles of the compasses
further the current-carrying wire are slightly tilted to the geographic north indicating an effect of the earth’s
magnetic field due to their distance from the wire. The current was increased in this set-up which shows clearly
the direction of the magnetic field through the compass needles. Based on this observation, it can be said that as
the magnitude of current increases, the magnetic field becomes stronger. Therefore, the strength of the magnetic
field is directly proportional to the magnitude of the current.

Figure 9 Direction of magnetic field intensity induced by a current carrying wire with 1.8 A

In part three of the experiment, the direction of the needles around a current-carrying solenoid can be seen to
be similar to the direction of the needles when around a bar magnet. But instead of having poles, the direction of
the current affects the direction of the needles on the compasses around it. In identifying the direction of the
current, we used the right hand rule.
When the direction of the current is counter-clockwise, the part of the solenoid that is facing the person acts
like the north pole of the bar magnet while the other part of the solenoid that is facing away from the person acts
like the south pole of the bar magnet.
When the direction of the current became clockwise, the part of the solenoid that is facing the person now
acts like the south pole of the bar magnet while the other side acts like the north pole of the bar magnet.
However, while looking at the direction of the needles of the compasses, we observed that the ones at the
center of the sides at the exterior of a solenoid are still pointing on the geographic north of the Earth. Then, we
can say that the magnetic field at that part is weaker compared to the ones near the interior of the solenoid. This
is also similar to the direction of the needles when it is at the center of a bar magnet. Therefore, the field line
distribution in a current-carrying solenoid is the similar to the field line distribution in a bar magnet.
 Figure 10 Direction of magnetic field intensity induced by a solenoid

In part 4, the computed experimental values of the magnetic field of the earth in varying current were 3.255 x
10-5 T, 1.92 x 10-5 T and 1.16 x 10-5 T. The experimental magnetic fields were all close with the theoretical
magnetic field of the earth which is 2-5 x 10 -5 T. The experimental values 3.255 x 10 -5 T, 1.92 x 10-5 T and 1.16 x
10-5 T has a 0%, 4%, 42% error with the theoretical value of the magnetic field of the earth. Even though one of
the values has a percent error of 42%, all values were still considered feasible since that the difference between
the value of the experimental value and the theoretical value has a very minimal difference in terms of range
(x10-5). It is also observed that as the current of the wire increases, the magnetic field intensity induced by the
wire also increases.

Table 1 Measurements of current and deflection angle for the magnetic field of the Earth
Turns: 2 Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

Current (A) 1.834 1.820 1.810 1.821

Angle (Ɵ) 45o 45o 45o 45o

BI (T) 3.255 x 10-5

BE (T) 3.255 x 10-5

Turns: 2 Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

Current (A) 1.060 1.060 1.060 1.060

Angle (Ɵ) 50o 50o 50o 50o

BI (T) 1.92 x 10-5

BE (T) 2.28 x 10-5

Turns: 2 Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average

Current (A) 0.600 0.600 0.600 0.600

Angle (Ɵ) 54o 54o 54o 54o

BI (T) 1.16 x 10-5

BE (T) 1.59 x 10-5

Radius of the Tangent Galvanometer: R = 0.0695 m

4. Conclusion
Results show that the magnetic field of a magnet originates from the north magnetic pole, diverges outward,
and converges back into the south magnetic pole. This also applies to solenoids. The current carrying wire, on
the other hand, produced a magnetic field revolving perpendicularly around the wire. Radial distance and field
strength showed inverse proportionality for solenoids, or magnets in general. Finally, the Earth’s magnetic field
was verified to be consistent with the range of the theoretical value which is at 10 -5, the measured value average
being 2.11 x 10-5 T.
The experiment was made difficult by the errors caused by faulty compasses and low currents resulting in
weak magnetic fields. It is recommended that when doing this experiment, only working compasses are to be
used. It is also recommended to use a quantifying measuring device to confirm the magnetic field intensity’s
relation to radial distance.

5. References
1. Serway, R., Jewett, J. W. Jr., Physics for Scientists and Engineers 9 th Edition, Chapter 29-30, Brooks/Cole
Learning Cengage, United States
2. Young, H. D., Freedman, R. A., University Physics with Modern Physics 13 th Edition, Chapter 28, Pearson
Education, Inc., United States of America,2012

6. Appendices

Figure 11 Direction of magnetic field of a magnet

Figure 12 Actual pattern formed by a bar magnet on magnetic compasses

 Figure 13 Actual pattern formed by a bar magnet with iron fillings

Figure 14 Actual pattern formed with iron fillings by two bar magnets in different configurations
Figure 15 All compasses near a 250mA current carrying wire point to the earth’s geographic north.

Figure 16 Actual set up in mapping the magnetic field of a solenoid

Figure 17 Actual Set-up for measuring the magnetic field of the Earth using a tangent galvanometer