Physics Project

Topic : To study the factor on which the Self Inductance of a

coil depends by observing the effect of this coil, when put in
series with a resistor (bulb) in a circuit fed up by an A.C. source
of adjustable frequency.
Introduction
There are four basic factors of

inductor construction determining

the amount of inductance created.

These factors all indictate

inductance by affecting how much

magnetic field flux will develop for a

given amount of magnetic field force

(current through the inductor’s wire

coil.

The factors are:-

• NUMBER OF WIRE WRAPS, OR

“TURNS” IN THE COIL.

• COIL AREA.
• COIL LENGTH.
• CORE MATERIAL.
 INDEX
1: Certificate
Page-1
2: Acknowledgement
Page-2
3: Introduction
Page-3
4: Aim, Apparatus Required, Theory
Page-4
5: Circuit Diagram, Procedure
Page-5
 6: Observations
Page-6
7: Result, Precautions, Sources of
Error. Page-7

Aim
To study the factor on which the Self
Inductance of a coil depends by
observing the effect of this coil, when
put in series with a resistor (bulb) in a
circuit fed up by an A.C. source of
adjustable frequency .

Apparatus Required
A coil of large turns, A.C. source of
adjustable frequency, an electric bulb, (6
V) A.C. ammeter of suitable range,
rheostat, a soft iron rod, one way key,
connecting wires etc.

Theory
Self-Inductance is the property of a coil
which oppose the change in current
through it. The Self Inductance of a coil
(long solenoid) is
L =μ 0 μ r N2 A
I

Where μ r= Relative magnetic

permeability of magnetic material, μ r= μ
μ
0

N= Total number of turns in

solenoid
A= Area of cross section of
solenoid
l= Length of solenoid
Hence, the Self Inductance depends
upon:
• No. of turns (N), L α N2
 • Geometry of coil, L=A , L α 1/l
• Nature of core material, L= μ
When an inductor is connected in series
with a resistor (bulb) with a variable
source of frequency, then current
flowing in the bulb is

I rms =E rms
Z
Where Z= (R2 + ω2L2)½=Impedance of the
A.C. Circuit
Here R= Resistance of bulb
L= Self Inductance of coil
ω = 2πf = Angular frequency of A.C.
source.
The brightness of bulb i.e. Heat
generated in bulb is
H= I2 rmsZt
The brightness of bulb i.e. Heat
generated in bulb is
H= I2 rmsZt
Or, P=H/t= I2 rmsZ
P= I2 rms(R2 + ω2L2)½

Circuit Diagram
Procedure
• Make all connections as shown
in circuit diagram.
• Switch on the A.C. supply and
adjust the constant current in
the circuit by using the variable
resistor (R1) (let frequency of
source is 60 Hz and voltage is
6V).
• Record the current in A.C.
ammeter and see the
brightness of bulb.
• Now, put the soft iron rod
inside the inductor core and
record the current in A.C.
ammeter and again check the
brightness of bulb. The current
and brightness both decreases.
• Now, switch off the supply and
decrease the frequency of A.C.
source (say 50 Hz).
• Again switch on the supply and
adjust the current in circuit at
same constant voltage 6V by
using the rheostat. Note the
current in ammeter and
brightness of bulb. The current
and brightness both will
increases.
• Again insert the iron in the core
of coil and note the current and
brightness. The current and
brightness both decreases.
 • Repeat the steps 5, 6 and 7 for
different frequency of A.C.
source(say 40 Hz,30 Hz and 20
Hz).

Observations
• Least Count Error= A.
• Zero error of ammeter= A.
• Range of ammeter= A.
S No. Frequency Current in Current in
of applied ammeter ammeter
voltage(Hz) without with iron
iron rod in rod in coil
coil (A) (A)
1. 60
2. 50
3. 40
4. 30
5. 20
Result
• The current in the circuit decrease on
inserting the iron rod in the core of
coil at constant frequency of applied
voltage and brightness of bulb
decreases and vice-versa.
• The current in the circuit increases on
decreasing the frequency of applied
voltage and vice-versa. Therefore, the
brightness of bulb increases.

Precautions
• The coil should have large number of
turns.
• Current should be passed for a small
time to avoid the heating effect.
• There should not be parallax in taking
the reading of ammeter.

Sources of Error
• The resistance of circuit may
increases slightly due to heating
effect of current.
• There may be eddy current in soft
iron coil.