MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY BY

QUINCKE’S METHOD
•
To measure the magnetic susceptibility of
ferric chloride solution by Quincke’s method.
 APPARATUS

DC regulated power gaussmeter

ELECTROMAGNET supply
Travelling microscope U-tube Ferric chloride solution
 THEORY

The Quincke’s method aims at determining the magnetic susceptibility of a

paramagnetic or diamagnetic aqueous solution . The solution is placed in a
vertical U-tube with one limb of wide bore and other with narrow bore . The
narrow limb is placed in between the pole pieces of the electromagnet . It
should be noted that the surface of the liquid in the narrow limb must lie at the
line of centres of the pole pieces when the field is off.
On activating the magnetic field ; the meniscus in the narrower part will rise
If the solution is paramagnetic and will fall if it is diamagnetic.

We can represent magnetic susceptibility by χ which is the ratio of

magnetization to applied magnetic field.
χ= M/H=µr -1 where M is magnetization and H is applied magnetic field

Magnetic potential energy stored can be given by the formula:

U=1/2 (µ-µa)H2
µ=permeability of the solution
µa= permeability of air
The force experienced by the liquid can be given by the expression:
f=-dU/dx=d/dx[1/2(µ-µa)H2]
= 1/2µo [µr - µra ]dH2 /dx
µr : relative permeability of solution
µra : relative permeability of air
Since µr = χ +1 and µra = χₐ +1
We can write f=1/2µo [χ - χₐ ]dH2 /dx

The force acting on an element of area “A” and length “dx” of the liquid coloumn is
fAdx ; hence the total force is F= A/2µo [χ - χₐ ][H2-Ho2]

H:field at the liquid surface between the poles of the magnet

Ho: field at the other surface away from the magnet
The total force acting on the liquid coloumn will be balanced by the force due to hydrostatic
pressure.

A/2µo [χ - χₐ ][H2-Ho2]=Ahg (ρ-ρₐ)

ρ: density of solution
ρₐ:density of air

χ - χₐ=[2hg (ρ-ρₐ)]/µo (H2-Ho2)

χ= 2ρgh/H2 {if we neglect ρₐ, χₐ and Ho2}
χ= volume susceptibility
χm= mass susceptibility =2gh/H2 cm3/gm
PROCEDURE
 Draw a calibration graph between the
current supplied to the electromagnet and
magnetic field between the poles
Paramagnetic liquid is added to the u-
tube which is then placed between the
poles such that the surface of the
solution is in the centre of the poles.
 We measure the reading h1 of
the surface of the solution using
a travelling microscope
 We measure the height of the
solution by placing the crosswire
of the microscope at level with
the upper meniscus .
 Now current is passed
through the electromagnets
in small steps and the
heights(h2) are recorded.
• Proper cleanliness of the U-tube is
essential. Thoroughly clean the tube and
rinse it well with distilled water before
starting and dry it.
• Make several sets of measurements to
ensure consistency; false readings can arise
from liquid running down the tube or
sticking to the sides.
• Carefully swab down the inside of the U-
tube with a cotton bud, to ensure that
there are no droplets of liquid which might
interfere with the plastic spacers on the
rod which measures the height of the
meniscus.
•Try to avoid the backlash error of the
travelling microscope. The small change of
height may cause more error in the
calculation.