Experiment 7

PHYSICS

BIOT-SAVARTS LAW
7.1

OBJECTIVES:
1. Measuring the magnetic field B of a straight conductor as a function of the current I.
2. Plot graph of B versus I and determine Permeability o of free space from graph.

7.2

SAFETY NOTES:
1. Do not touch buttons and knobs of tesla meter and power supply unnecessarily.
2. Make connections carefully and call teacher to check the connections before turning
on the power supply.

7.3
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

EQUIPMENTS/ REQUIREMENTS:
1 straight conductor
1 teslameter
1 axial B-probe
1 multicore cable, 6-pole
1 high current power supply
1 small optical bench
1 holder for plug-in elements
2 Leybold multiclamps
1 stand base, V-shape
Connecting leads

7.4
THEORY:
According to Biot-Savarts law, Each infinitesimal current element makes a contribution to the
magnetic field Bat point P which is perpendicular to the current element, and perpendicular
to the radius vector rfrom the current element to the field point P.

dB

o
r
ds
2
r
4r

o 4 10 7 Tm 2 / A

The length and direction of which are described by the vector

ds. The position vector from the part of the conductor under
consideration to the point P is given by r (see Fig. 1).

Magnetic field of a current carrying straight conductor:

The magnetic field dB of a current carrying infinitely long wire,
at a distance r from the axis, (see Fig. 2) can be calculated as:

dB

o dsSin
4
r2

Lab Instructor Arshia Aijaz

oI
2R

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Experiment 7

APPLIED PHYSICS

Where, R is the perpendicular distance between point P and straight conductor.

7.5

7.6

7.7

7.8

REFERENCES:
1. Fundamental of Physics by Halliday Resnick and Walker.
2. Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Serway and Jewett
3. Physics by Halliday Resnick and Krane.
EXPERIMENTAL SETUP:

PROCEDURE:
1. Make connections as shown in figure 4.
2. Align the B-probe with the middle of the straight conductor in height.
3. Move the straight conductor towards the Hall sensor so that it almost touches the
sensor (but dint touch the conductor).
4. Increase the current I from 2 to 20 A in steps of 2A. Each time measure the magnetic
field B, and take the measured values down.

OBSERVATIONS:

Lab Instructor Arshia Aijaz

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Experiment 7

APPLIED PHYSICS

Current
I (A)

7.9

Magnetic
field B
(mT)

GRAPH:
1. Plot graph for Magnetic field VS current and determine permeability of free space.

7.10 CALCULATIONS:
1. From graph of B versus I for straight conductor, slope = B/I = __________T/A.
2. Determine permeability of free space o, using slope B/I.
o Slope 2R = ___________T.m/A
7.11

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

Lab Instructor Arshia Aijaz

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