Simple Oersteds Experiment

Experiment No.3 /2016

Class 1101
Jirayu Mahatongkum 5861039
Khaboonpak Sakityanyong 5861051
Nattapong Vongchankit 5861073
Pholawat Tangsatit 5861100
Thitasit Likitkajorn 5861169

General Physics
Mahidol University International Demonstration School
Lecture Instructor Gopinath Subramanian
Objective

To Demonstrate the creation of magnetic field through flowing electricity

into long metal. The magnetic field will have power to change the pointing of

needle compass.

Materials

1. Bare Copper Wire

2. AAA battery

3. 2 Iron Nails

4. Neodymium Magnet

5. Battery Tray

6. Electric Wire
Set-Up

Setting the basement and arms for holding the nail are the first step. Then,

we put nail between the arms and wrap bare copper around the nail.

We insert the battery in its tray. Then, we connect the electric wire to the

tray. The compass is placed in the middle under the iron nail.
 In this experiment, we make our own compass using neodymium magnet on

both side of the iron nail. With strong enough magnetic power and smooth surface

or condition to move. The magnet will move towards its polarity.

 Electric wire will touch the copper, and let the electricity flow through the

current. By flowing the electricity, it creates magnetic field, which has polarity.

The magnetic field will move the needle compass into other direction toward its

polarity, which will be different from the normal direction due to the difference of

direction to the Earths magnetic field.

Discussion of Physics Concepts

Electromagnetic Train Failure

At first, we try to do maglev or electromagnetic train ,but the experiment fail

due to some mistakes of the experiments components, which have not been

determined yet. This experiment will demonstrate the modern day and future

generation of the magnetic train. The train is activated from the magnetic field

from the battery and neodymium magnet. This materials create small magnetic

field that will push itself toward the polarity into the copper coil. We have tried

several ways ,but it only moved a bit at the early attempt. Later on, the experiment

fails. We try to adjust the size of magnet and battery. Also, we find out that the

copper should not be covered with either oxidized or enamel. After a few classes,

we waste away the rust and try again, but it doesnt work. Finally, we decide to
change the experiment to Oersted instant due to short period for conducting the

Physics experiments and left of copper wire.

We use copper wire with insulator, so we have to cut it off before we could

use it in the experiment, because the insulator will block the magnetic field.

The marker is used to be the pattern for the coil. We change from long

straight wire into coil for the same size.

 After few classes, we find out that the copper is oxidized and can be used in

the experiment. So we try to get rip out of those oxidized cover. We use vinegar to
dissolve the rust and baking soda to neutralize the vinegar. As a result, our copper

coil become shiny again without oxidized covered.

Oersted's Law

Oersteds law is a Physics law, named after Danish physicist, explaining

about how electric current creating magnetic field. He finds the principle from

observation the compass moving after let electricity moving through the wire. It is

the first discovery of connection between magnetic and electricity. This law can be

concluded to various point.

- The magnetic field lines in encircle into the current-carrying wire.

- The magnetic field lines lie in a plane perpendicular to the wires.

- The direction of magnetic field is directly proportional to the direction of the

current

- The strength of the field is proportional to the magnitude of the current.

- The strength of the field at any point is inversely proportional to the distance

of the distance of the point from the wire.

Earths Magnetic field

The Earth's magnetic field is similar to that of a bar magnet tilted 11 degrees from

the spin axis of the Earth. The Earth's core is hotter than that and therefore not

magnetic.

Magnetic fields surround electric currents, so

we hypothesized that circulating electric

currents in the Earth's molten metallic core

are the origin of the magnetic field. A current

loop gives a field similar to that of the earth.

The magnetic field magnitude measured at

the surface of the Earth is about half a Gauss

and dips toward the Earth in the northern

hemisphere. The magnitude varies over the

surface of the Earth in the range 0.3 to 0.6

Gauss.

The Earth's magnetic field is attributed to a dynamo effect of circulating electric

current, but it is not constant in direction. Rock specimens of different age in

similar locations have different directions of permanent magnetization. Evidence

for 171 magnetic field reversals during the past 71 million years has been reported.

Compass and how does it work

A magnet is what makes a compass point north -- the small magnetic pin in a

compass is suspended so that it can spin freely inside its casing and respond to our

planet's magnetism.

A compass needle aligns itself and points toward the top of Earth's magnetic field,

giving explorers and lost souls a consistent sense of direction.

A compass points north because all magnets have two poles , a north pole and a

south pole, and the north pole of one magnet is attracted to the south pole of

another magnet. (You may have seen this demonstrated by a pair of simple bar

magnets or refrigerator magnets pushed end to end.)

The Earth is a magnet that can interact with other magnets in this way, so the north

end of a compass magnet is drawn to align with the Earth's magnetic field. Because

the Earth's magnetic North Pole attracts the "north" ends of other magnets, it is

technically the "South Pole" of our planet's magnetic field.

The creation of electromagnet

The device of magnet is created through application of electricity. The

electromagnet is built from coiling the conductive materials around metal rod.

When, we release the current through the wire. The running current-wire will

create the magnetic field and magnetize the iron rod into the temporary magnet.

This magnet can be turned on and off directly from controlling the current.
Result

The compass changes the direction, after the current turns on. It moves left

or right depending on the polarity of the temporary magnet, which can be

determined from the side of battery. If we change the interaction side of the coil

wire, the direction of compass will move to opposite side from the first time of

interaction between coil and battery.

Analysis

From the result, we surely prove the existence of magnetic field from current

inside the copper wire. With the movement of neodymium compass, which should

move towards the polarity of world magnetic field, changes towards other

magnetic field rather that it should be.

Conclusion

Oersted's law is proved and demonstrated in this experiment. The temporary

magnet is able to create through electricity current inside conductor coil around

metal material. This makes electric market, which can be controlled from adjusting

the electricity. We test the magnetic field using compass. The compass normally

will point to the earth magnetic field, but if there is another strong magnetic field

nearby, the direction will point towards that one.

Recommendation

The problem is with the electromagnetic train. We dont have enough

research and understanding so that the whole project dont go well and fail before

the due date. The electromagnetic train is more complicated and difficult in both

understanding and demonstrating it as a project. Without good understanding of the

theories and practices, we cant able to conduct this experiment. We encourage

other to understand the experiment carefully and concern about the capability of

yourself in order to do well in each individual experiment.

Reference

Skull in the Star. (2014) The mystery of magnetic train. Retrieved at 7 May

2017, from

https://skullsinthestars.com/2014/12/12/the-mystery-of-the-magnetic-train/

Princeton University. (n.d.) Oersteds Theory. Retrieved at 7 May 2017,

from

https://www.princeton.edu/ssp/joseph-henry-project/galvanometer/explaining-the-p

henomenon/oersteds-theory/

Bonser, K. (n.d.) How Maglev Trains Work. Retrieved at 7 May 2017, from

http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/maglev-train.htm

Sang, D. (n.d.) Oersted, electric current and magnetism. Retrieved at 7 May

2017, from http://practicalphysics.org/oersted-electric-current-and-magnetism.html

Brain, M. & Looper, L. (n.d.) How electromagnets Work. Retrieved at 7

May 2017, from http://science.howstuffworks.com/electromagnet.htm