I.

Research Plan
A. Rationale
Galvanometer, an instrument used to indicate the presence, direction, or strength of a
small electric current. The typical galvanometer is a sensitive laboratory instrument used mainly
to detect and compare currents. Galvanometer makes use of the electric current flowing in a coil
of wire to create a magnetic field that can deflect a magnetized needle placed near the coil. The
deflection in the galvanometer indicates that the current is induced in the coil due to the relative
motion between the magnet and the coil.
Most of the laboratory equipment, especially in physics, are expensive, so thats why this
study need to be conduct.
This study does aim to construct an affordable galvanometer out of scrap materials and
magnet, applying the principles of electricity and electromagnetism, laboratory equipment
needed to demonstrate the concepts of electric current and electric induction.
B. Statement of the problem
This Science Investigatory Project aimed to explore the possibility of making an
affordable galvanometer out of scrap materials and magnet, applying the principles of electricity
and electromagnetism. This study seeks to answer the following question:
1. Which of the two (experimental galvanometer and commercial galvanometer) is most
accepted in detecting electric current?
2. How does the materials used in the study affect the detecting of electric current?
3. Is there any significant difference between the affordable experimental galvanometer and
commercial galvanometer in terms of:
3.1 Ability in detecting electric current?

C. Hypothesis
The scrap materials and magnet can be used in making an affordable galvanometer,
applying the principles of electricity and electromagnetism.

1. The commercial galvanometer is the most accepted between the two in detecting electric
current.
2. The material used in the study doesnt affect the galvanometer in detecting electric
current.
3. There is no significant difference between the affordable galvanometer and commercially
available laboratory galvanometer in terms of:
3.1 Ability in detecting electric current.
D. Risk and Safety
In conducting the study, be careful in cutting halfway the empty plastic container
it may cut your skin. And also be careful in making hole at the two opposite side of the
container.
E. Materials/ Procedure
The materials needed in the study are empty plastic container (vitamins container or the
like), broken magnet (small size), 2 meter (m) magnet wire gauge no. 16, plastic tape, scrap glass
and aluminum as housing of the galvanometer, and two alligator clips.
The empty plastic container will be cut halfway, so that the upper will be removed. Holes
are bore on two opposite sides of the container enough to fit the magnet wire whose length is just
bigger than the diameter of the plastic container, the wire will be place into the container
horizontally. The wire should be free to move. The 2-m magnet wire should be free to move. The
2-m magnet wire will be wound around the empty plastic container this serves as the solenoid.
The small piece of broken magnet will be attach by glue to one of the ends of the magnet wire

and then attached to the center of the magnet wire place horizontally into the plastic container.
This serves as the deflecting needle of the galvanometer. The two ends of the magnet wire
wounded around the empty container should be extended out and uninsulated, so that it is free to
be move and free for any connections to the source of electric current.
Testing the Procedure
The affordable- alternative galvanometer will be compare to the commercially available
laboratory galvanometer in terms of ability in detecting electric current.
The two free end of the affordable- alternative galvanometer will be connected to two
alligator clips and are then dip into each of the liquids prepared. The deflection of the pointer
will be observe.
G. Bibliography/ References
Galvanometer, 25 August 2009. HowStuffWorks.com. Retrieve from
http://science.howstuffworks.com/galvanometer-info.htm 19 February 2015.
Galvanometer deflection, (2014). TutorVista.com. Retrieved from
http://www.tutorvista.com/content/science/science-ii/magnetic-effects-electriccurrent/electromagnetic-induction.php February 19, 2015