STPM Physics Experiment 8 (Second Term)

Title: Earths Magnetic Field

Results:

Current, I/A Average deflection of the magnet, / tan

1 2 Mean
0.10 17.5 17.5 17.5 0.32
0.20 41.0 41.0 41.0 0.87
0.30 60.0 60.0 60.0 1.73
0.40 70.0 75.0 72.5 3.17
0.50 80.0 80.0 80.0 5.67
0.60 85.0 85.0 85.0 11.43
0.70 86.5 86.5 86.5 16.35

No. Internal Average Length of the Zero error of

diameter of the diameter of the solenoid, L/cm micrometer screw
solenoid, D/cm wire used in the gauge = - 0.05mm
solenoid, d/cm
1 2.30 0.42 4.80 Actual d
2 2.30 0.42 4.80
3 2.30 0.42 4.80 = 0.42 - (- 0.05)
4 2.30 0.42 4.80
5 2.30 0.42 4.80 = 0.47mm
Average 2.30 0.42 4.80

Calculation:

( )

( )
Discussions:

(a) Precautions
(i) The ammeter should be kept at least 50cm from the magnet.
(ii) The fan is switched off and the windows are closed to minimize air movement.
(iii) All connections of wire and devices must be tight.
(iv) The experiment is carried out reasonably fast to prevent wires from heating up.
(b) Sources of error
(i) Successive turns of the solenoid are not perfectly bound together, resulting in
error for the estimation of the number of turns.
(ii) Inability to keep the magnet from swinging, resulting in inaccurate reading of .
(c) Steps to overcome the weakness of the experiment
(i) Count the number of turns for 1cm length of the solenoid, n. Then, obtain the
number of turns in the solenoid using the estimation: N=nL.
(ii) Repeat the experiment for a several times to increase the accuracy of the results.

Conclusion: The horizontal component of the Earths magnetic field, BH is 1.4 x 10-5 T.

Note:

The graph is a curve. The gradient s is obtained from a tangent at I = 0.20A. The near actual value of BH =
2.5 x 10-5 T.