Submitted by:

Frenzie Mae V. Rivera

BSMT 4-AN

Seeing the Invisible

INTRODUCTION
Surrounding a magnet is a space where its effect can be detected. This space is called magnetic field. A magnetic field is made up of imaginary lines of force. These lines form closed curves around the magnet. A renowned physicist once commented that it is easier to imagine a room filled with invisible angels than a field made up of lines of force. <- Fig 1. Magnetic Field.

OBJECTIVES
Map magnetic field of force around magnets. Observe the properties of the lines of force.

MATERIALS
2 bar magnets Some iron filings A cardboard

ESTIMATED TIME FRAME

45 minutes

PROCEDURE
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Lay one magnet on the table and place a cardboard above it. Sprinkle iron filings on the cardboard. Tap the cardboard gently until the filings form a pattern. Make a drawing of the resulting lines of force. Repeat the procedure using two bar magnets separated by 2 cm apart, with their N poles facing each other.

Source: Angelina A. Silverio and Gloria De Castro-Bernas, Exploring Life Through Science Second Edition (Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc., 2012), 157-160.

Submitted by:

Frenzie Mae V. Rivera

BSMT 4-AN

6. Repeat the procedure using two bar magnets 2 cm apart, with the N pole of one facing the S pole of the other.

DATA AND OBSERVATION

LIKE CHARGES REPEL

UNLIKE CHARGES ATTRACT

Source: Angelina A. Silverio and Gloria De Castro-Bernas, Exploring Life Through Science Second Edition (Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc., 2012), 157-160.

Submitted by:

Frenzie Mae V. Rivera

BSMT 4-AN

CONCLUSION
At any point, the direction of the magnetic field is the same as the direction of the flux lines, and the strength of the magnetic field is proportional to the space between the flux lines. For example, in a bar magnet, the flux lines emerge at one end of the magnet, then curve around the other end; the flux lines can be thought of as being closed loops, with part of the loop inside the magnet, and part of the loop outside. At the ends of the magnet, where the flux lines are closest together, the magnetic field is strongest; toward the side of the magnet, where the flux lines are farther apart, the magnetic field is weaker. Depending on their shapes and magnetic strengths, different kinds of magnets produce different patterns of flux lines. The pattern of flux lines created by magnets or any other object that creates a magnetic field can be mapped by using a compass or small iron filings. Magnets tend to align themselves along magnetic flux lines. Thus when iron filings are placed around an object that creates a magnetic field, the filings will line up along the flux lines, revealing the flux line pattern.

Source: Angelina A. Silverio and Gloria De Castro-Bernas, Exploring Life Through Science Second Edition (Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc., 2012), 157-160.