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By Fengfeng Zhou
Objectives:
Materials:
A power supply with maximum voltage output less than 12 V, a sensor to measure
magnetic induction, a trapeze as shown in Figure 1, 4 alligator connectors, 4 leads, a
strong horseshoe magnet, a ruler, a steel tape, 1 meter of thin wire, 2 large paper clips, a
small piece of strawboard, 5 disk magnets, a small file or a piece of sandpaper
Figure 1. A trapeze
Activities:
1. Introduce the identity magnetic induction, B, and units Tesla and Gauss.
2. Demonstrate that magnetic field will exert a force on electric current.
3. Guide students to do an experiment. Ask students to connect the trapeze and
power supply, put the horizontal metal (copper or aluminum) bar hung in the
trapeze between the two poles of the magnet, then turn on the power and set the
current I to be 1 ~ 2 amps. Due to the magnetic force exerted on the metal bar,
the bar will be pushed away from its original position. Ask students to measure
the distance the bar moved and compute the swing angle between the current and
original position of the bar. With the angle known and the weight of the bar given
to students, they should be able to calculate the magnetic force F exerted on the
bar. The procedures and free body diagram are given to students as shown in
Figure 2. Now ask students to measure the magnetic induction B of the magnetic
field using the sensor, compute the product of B, I, and the length of the bar, L.
Ask them to compare the product with F. Their values should be close to each
other. If the difference is significant, ask them which value is more dependable,
also ask them to identify sources of error.
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0.2 N