Aims of the Experiment

• The overall aim of this experiment is to determine how the magnetic flux linkage varies?with the angle of rotation of a search coil
• This is done by rotating a search coil through a uniform magnetic field created by a larger coil and recording the induced e.m.f within it
  • This is just one example of how this required practical might be carried out

   

Variables

• Independent variable?=?Angle between the normal to the search coil and the magnetic field lines, θ
• Dependent variable=?Induced e.m.f, ε
• Control variables:
  • Area of the search coil,?A
  • Number of loops on both coils,?N
  • Magnetic field strength,?B
  • Frequency of the power supply,?f

   

Equipment List

• Resolution?of measuring equipment:
  • Protractor = 1o
  • CRO = 2 mV / div

   

Method

1. Arrange the apparatus as shown in the diagram above. The slinky spring should be connected to the alternating power supply so the flux through the search coil placed within it will be constantly changing
2. Set up the CRO so its time-base is switched off, so it only shows the amplitude of the e.m.f. Adjust the voltage per division till the signal can be seen fully on the screen (eg. 10 mV / div)
3. Position the search coil so that it is halfway along the slinky spring
4. Orient the search coil so it is parallel to the slinky spring (and the plane of its area is perpendicular to the field)
5. Record the induced e.m.f in the search coil from the amplitude of the CRO trace. This should ideally be the peak-to-peak voltage (Vpp) which will then be halved for the peak e.m.f?ε0
6. Rotate the search coil by 10o (in either direction) using the protractor
7. Record the new?Vpp?and repeat the procedure until the search coil is at 90o to the slinky spring

• An example table might look like this:

Analysing the Results

• The e.m.f in the coil varies with the equation:

ε =?BANω sin(θ)

• Comparing this to the straight-line equation: y = mx + c
  • y = ε
  • x = sin(θ)
  • m =?BANω
  • c = 0

   

• Plot a graph of peak e.m.f ε0?against sin(θ) and draw a line of best fit
• This should be a straight-line graph
  • This shows that the induced e.m.f is proportional to the cosine of the angle between the search coil and the direction of the magnetic field lines

   

Evaluating the Experiment

Systematic Errors:

• Reduce systematic errors by calibrating the search coil using a known magnetic field and oscilloscope
• The field lines are unlikely to be perfectly parallel and perpendicular to the area of the coil
  • Therefore, the graph is likely to have a y-intercept for sin(θ) = 0

   

• Read the angle from the protractor far above and from the same point every time to reduce parallax error

Random Errors:

• The experiment could be made more reliable by repeating for a full turn (θ = 360°)
• An improvement could be to use a calibrated motor to rotate the search coil at a steady rate which will make the e.m.f values more accurate
• Use blu tack to make sure the protractor stays in the same place for each reading

Safety Considerations

• Keep water or any fluids away from the electrical equipment
• Make sure no wires or connections are damaged and contain appropriate fuses to avoid a short circuit or a fire
• Don't exceed the specified current rating for the coil in order not to damage it
• The larger coil will heat up whilst the current is through it, especially if it is very thin
  • Therefore, make sure not to leave the current on for longer than necessary

   

Step 1: Complete the table

• • Add the extra columns sin(θ) and peak e.m.f and calculate these values

Step 2:?Plot a graph of peak e.m.f against?sin(θ)

• • Make sure the axes are properly labelled and the line of best fit is drawn with a ruler

Step 3: Write a conclusion

• • Since the graph of peak e.m.f against sin(θ) is a straight-line graph, this means that the e.m.f is proportional to the sine of the angle between the search coil and the direction of the magnetic field lines