Magnetism Demonstrations Magnetic Field of a Straight Conductor

Oersted s Discovery

At this point students will have an understanding of magnetic poles, magnetic field lines, domain theory, and magnetic induction. This demonstration will help cover F2.5, F3.2, F3.3, F3.4, and F3.5 of the grade 11 University Physics curriculum in the Electricity and Magnetism unit. It can also be used to help cover D2.4 and D3.3 of the grade 12 University Physics curriculum in the Gravitational, Electric, and Magnetic Fields unit. In the grade 12 College Physics curriculum it ties in with sections D2.4, D2.5, D2.6, D3.4, and D3.7 in the Electricity and Magnetism unit. Safety: y When connecting the power supply to the conductor connect one terminal firmly and connect the other terminal for short time period (no more than 10 seconds) because large currents are produced causing the wire to become very hot. Use a power supply with built in circuit breaker to protect power supply from overheating. Be careful not to get iron filings in your eyes. Wash hands after handling iron filings.

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Materials: Plexiglas stand with straight wire conductor and connection terminals DC power supply with circuit breaker iron filings connecting wires with banana clips sheet of paper plotting compasses Procedure: 1. Place Plexiglas stand with wire conductor on level surface with sheet of paper underneath to collect any spilled iron filings. 2. Plug in power supply and connect one terminal from power supply (6V DC side) using connecting wire with banana clip to one of the terminals connected to end of wire conductor that passes through Plexiglas stand. 3. Lightly sprinkle iron filings on Plexiglas around wire conductor. 4. Turn on the power supply and connect the other terminal from the power supply (6V DC side) using connecting wire with banana clip to other terminal of wire conductor that passes through Plexiglas stand. 5. Gently tap the Plexiglas for a few seconds until the iron filings assume a pattern. Remember to do this quickly and then disconnect the connecting wire before it becomes too hot. 6. Place plotting compasses on the Plexiglas and reconnect power supply. Note direction that the compasses point. Note the direction of the current from the power supply terminal connections. 7. Reverse power supply connections and observe direction plotting compasses point.

The Transformer
At this point students will have covered electromagnetic induction, Faraday s discovery, direction of induced current, and Lenz s Law of induced current. This demonstration will help cover F2.1, F2.6, F3.5, and F3.8 of the grade 11 University Physics curriculum in the Electricity and Magnetism unit. Safety: y Disconnect or turn off power supply before changing connections

Materials: AC/DC power supply with circuit breaker multimeter connecting wires with banana clips iron core coil with 300 windings coil with 600 windings Procedure: 1. Place 600 winding coil on iron core (primary side) and 300 winding coil on other side on iron core (secondary side) 2. Connect ends of U-shape core to form ring. 3. Plug in power supply and connect primary coil (600 windings) to 6V AC terminals of power supply. 4. Turn on power supply and measure voltage across primary coil and voltage across secondary coil. (step down transformer) 5. Turn off power supply and now connect it to 300 winding coil. 6. Turn on power supply and measure voltage across primary coil (300 windings) and voltage across secondary coil. (step up transformer) 7. Record results and discuss relationship between number of windings in each coil and voltage across each coil.

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8. Connect primary coil to the 6V DC terminals on the power supply and measure the DC voltage across the primary and secondary coils. Discuss observations. Was iron core magnetized in this case?