Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

The Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Contents
Part I: Objective Part II: Introduction
Magnetic Fields in Current Carrying Wires The Solenoid The Ideal Solenoid The Real Solenoid

Part IV: The Experiment

Using the Magnetic Field Sensor Magnetic Field of a Solenoid Prediction of the Field as a Function of Current Magnetic Field as a Function of Current Plotting Data Analysis

Part III: Apparatus and Setup

Apparatus Setup Details The Magnetic Field Sensor LoggerPro

Part V: Summary

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part I: Objective
The primary objectives of this experiment are:
!

To investigate the magnetic field of a solenoid to determine if a current carrying slinky is an ideal solenoid. To find the dependence of the magnitude of magnetic field on current I by measuring the magnetic field B produced by a current carrying solenoid.

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part II: Introduction

Magnetic Fields in Current Carrying Wires

When current is passed through a conductor, a magnetic field is produced. The magnetic field vector may be determined using the Biot-Savart law.

Magnetic field is a vector and has units of tesla (T).

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part II: Introduction The Solenoid

A solenoid is composed of a number of turns of a conducting material, arranged in a cylindrical fashion. Solenoids are commonly used in electronic circuits, and electromagnets. A Slinky is a good example of a solenoid. Current passing through the Slinky creates a magnetic field inside the solenoid.

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part II: Introduction The Ideal Solenoid

For an ideal solenoid, the magnetic field is produced completely inside the solenoid. The field produced inside a solenoid is parallel to the axis as shown.

The field inside an ideal solenoid with turns N, length L, and current I may be calculated from Amperes law and has magnitude

B=

where o is the permeability of free space with value 4"#10-7 Tm/A . The field is a constant along the length of an ideal solenoid.

o NI L

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part II: Introduction The Real Solenoid

For a real solenoid, magnetic field is not constant at the ends and some field exists outside the solenoid.

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part III: Apparatus and Setup Apparatus

You have been provided with:

Slinky Metre stick Power supply Leads with alligator clips Magnetic field sensor (one of two) Clips

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part III: Apparatus and Setup Setup details

You may find it useful to attach the slinky to the metre stick using the silver clamps. The alligator clips may be used to hold the slinky to the clamps.

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part III: Apparatus and Setup Setup details

Leads may be connected from the alligator clips to the power supply.

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part III:Apparatus and Setup The Magnetic Field Sensor

The magnetic field sensor uses a Hall effect transducer to measure the magnetic field. The magnetic field sensor should be plugged into Channel 1 on the LabPro. Set the switch on the sensor to either LOW or to 6.4mT. The sensor measures magnetic fields parallel to the normal of the white dot on the tip of the sensor.

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part III:Apparatus and Setup LoggerPro

Launch the LoggerPro program by clicking on the icon below.

To take measurements: ! Turn the power supply on and adjust the voltage and current dials until you have the desired current (to a maximum of 2.0 A). ! Turn the power supply off. ! Insert the magnetic field sensor at the location you wish to measure the field. ! Click the zero button (to zero contributions from the Earths field and surroundings). ! Wait 5 seconds to ensure the field is truly zeroed. ! Turn the power supply on. You will repeat each of these steps in this order before all data collection.

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Lab Report

Lab Report 1: Lab Report 2: Lab Report 3:

Write the objective of your experiment. Write the relevant theory of this experiment. List your apparatus and sketch your setup.

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part IV: The Experiment Using the Magnetic Field Sensor

Goal: Take a set of measurements of the magnetic field inside the solenoid in order to determine the orientation and magnitude of the magnetic field.

The sensor measures magnetic fields parallel to the normal of the white dot on the tip of the sensor. Place the magnetic field sensor inside the solenoid at the midpoint and take measurements of the magnetic field. You will need to hold the sensor in the following positions: - white dot facing the negative terminal - white dot facing the positive terminal - white dot facing the ceiling - white dot facing the floor

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part IV: The Experiment Using the Magnetic Field Sensor

! Lab Report 4:
What direction is the white dot on the sensor pointing, relative to the axis of the solenoid, when the largest positive field measurement is registered? Specify if it is perpendicular or parallel to the axis and which terminal the white dot is facing.

Perpendicular to the axis means that the white dot is facing either the ceiling or the floor. CHECKPOINT: Have an instructor come check your setup and results and sign your lab report.

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part IV: The Experiment Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Goal: Determine the relative magnitude of the magnetic field - along the length of the solenoid - at the ends of the solenoid - just outside the solenoid

Sensor position: For your measurements, you will hold the sensor so that it is facing the direction as described in the previous question. A current of 1.0 A is recommended for this part of the experiment. Be sure you follow the prescribed steps for measuring magnetic fields.

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part IV: The Experiment Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Use your magnetic field sensor to determine the magnetic field at the points listed above. You may find the average magnetic field by clicking Analyze then Statistics.

! Lab Report 5:

From your results, describe the magnetic field of a solenoid. Include a sketch as part of your answer. You may wish to include the answers to the following questions: Is the magnetic field constant along the length of the solenoid? Is there variation at the ends? Is the field weaker (or zero) outside the solenoid? Can your solenoid be considered ideal? Explain.

! Lab Report 6:

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part IV: The Experiment

Prediction of Field as a Function of Current

Goal: Predict and test how the magnetic field at the centre of a solenoid depends on the current running through it.

Lab Report 7:

How do you expect the magnetic field at the centre of a solenoid to depend on current? Explain.

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part IV: The Experiment

Magnetic Field as a Function of Current

A maximum current of 2.0 A is recommended for this part of the experiment. Use your magnetic field sensor to obtain a set of data for the magnetic field inside the solenoid as a function of current:
For best results, begin with the current turned off. Then switch the current on for 10 seconds, then off again.

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part IV: The Experiment

Magnetic Field as a Function of Current

You should record a minimum of 5 data points. Save your data as you work: To do this, after collecting each data set click Experiment then Store Latest Run.

! !

Record your results in a table. Lab Report 8: Describe your method to determine how the magnetic field depends current. Print your LoggerPro graph displaying all data.

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part IV: The Experiment

Plotting Data

Click here to open Graphical Analysis.

Plot a graph showing the relationship between magnetic field and current.

Having trouble deciding what to plot? Click here to open your notes on graphing.

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part IV: The Experiment

Analysis
To obtain a fit to your data, click Analyze then Linear Fit. To find the uncertainties in the slope and intercept, double click on the box that appears and in the Standard Deviations section check both the Slope and Intercept.

! !

Lab Report 9:

Use the results from your graph to determine the number of turns of your solenoid. Include the uncertainty.

Lab Report 10: Count the number of turns of your solenoid. Comment on the agreement between the counted turns and the results from your graph. Print your graph.

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Part V: Summary
! ! !
Lab Report 11: Lab Report 12: Outline briefly the steps of your experiment. List your experimental results and comment on how they agreed with the expected results.

Lab Report 13: List at least three sources of experimental uncertainty and classify them as random or systematic. Justify the classification.

Physics 1051

Laboratory #4 Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Wrap it up!

! Check that you have completed your Lab Report.

Include both of your printed graphs.