Physics investigatory project

SUBMITTED BY:

VISHESH RAI PHYSICS

PROJECT
CLASS :- XII-A (2024-2025)

CBSE Roll No.:-

Reg. No. :-
TANGENT GALVANOMETER
CERTIFICATE

SUNBAM SCHOOL BHADOHI

(Senior Secondary School)

Rajpura crossing, Phase-2, Bhadohi

This is to certify that this “Physics Investigatory Project" on the topic

"Tangent Galvanometer" has been successfully completed by Vishesh Rai
of class XII - A under the guidance of Mr. Sharique Siddiqui in particular
fulfilment of the curriculum of Central Board of Secondary Education {CBSE}
leading to the award of annual examination of the year 2017-18.

Examiners:

1. ………………………………… Master Incharge

2. ………………………………… Head of Institution

3. ………………………………… School Stamp

INDEX

SL.NO. PAGE
CONTENT
NO.

1. Certificate 3

2. Acknowledgement 5

3. Aim or Objective 6

4. Introduction 7
About the topic
5. 11
(Tangent Galvanometer)
6. Experiment

7. Observation Table
8. Result

9. Conclusion

10. Bibliography

11. End of project

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

 I have taken efforts in this project. However, it

would not have been possible without the kind
support and help of many individuals.

 I would like to thank my principal Dr. KIRAN

SINGH and school for providing me with
facilities required to do my project. I am highly
indebted to my Physics teacher, Mr. SHARIQUE
SIDDQUI, for his invaluable guidance which has
sustained my efforts in all the stages of this
project work.

 I would also like to thank my parents for their

continuous support and encouragement. My
thanks and appreciations also go to my fellow
classmates and the laboratory assistant in
developing the project and to the people who
have willingly helped me out with their abilities.
OBJECTIVE:-

To study the earth’s magnetic field using a tangent

galvanometer

To find out horizontal component of Earth’s

magnetic field (BH)

 Studying the earth's magnetic field using a compass needle

and bar magnet in conjunction with plotting magnetic field
lines and utilizing a tangent galvanometer is a fundamental
aspect of understanding the complex interactions that occur
within our planet's magnetic environment. By conducting
experiments with these tools, students can gain insight into
the properties and behavior of magnetic fields and how they
influence various phenomena on Earth. Through careful
observation and analysis, individuals can explore the
relationship between magnetic field strength, direction, and
the effects of external factors. This assignment provides a
valuable opportunity for students to apply theoretical
concepts learned in the classroom to hands-on
experimentation, fostering a deeper appreciation for the
scientific method and the study of magnetism.
INTRODUCTION

Earth's magnetic field, also known as the geomagnetic field, is the magnetic
field that extends from the Earth's interior to where it meets the solar wind,
a stream of charged particles emanating from the Sun. Its magnitude at the
Earth's surface ranges from 25 to 65 microteslas (0.25 to 0.65 gauss).
Roughly speaking it is the field of a magnetic dipole currently tilted at an
angle of about 10 degrees with respect to Earth's rotational axis, as if there
were a bar magnet placed at that angle at the center of the Earth. Unlike a
bar magnet. however, Earth's magnetic field changes over time because it is
generated by a geodynamic (in Earth's case, the motion of molten iron alloys
in its outer core).

The North and South magnetic poles wander widely, but sufficiently slowly
for ordinary compasses to remain useful for navigation. However, at
irregular intervals averaging several hundred thousand years, the Earth's
field reverses and the North and South Magnetic Poles relatively abruptly
switch places. These reversals of the geomagnetic poles leave a record in
rocks that are of value to paleomagnetists in calculating geomagnetic fields
in the past. Such information in turn is helpful in studying the motions of
continents and ocean floors in the process of plate tectonics.

The magnetosphere is the region above the ionosphere and extends several
tens of thousands of kilometers into space, protecting the Earth from the
charged particles of the solar wind and cosmic rays that would otherwise
strip away the upper atmosphere, including the ozone layer that protects
the Earth from harmful ultra v radiation.
Earth's magnetic field serves to deflect most of the solar wind, whose
charged particles would otherwise strip away the ozone layer that
protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. One stripping
mechanism is for gas to be caught in bubbles of magnetic field, which are
ripped off by solar winds.

The intensity of the field is often measured in gauss (G), but is generally
reported innanoteslas (nT), with 1G 100,000 nT. A nanotesla is also referred
to as a gamma (y). The tesla is the Sl unit of the Magnetic field. B. The field
ranges between approximately 25.000 and 65.000 nT (0.25-0.65 G).

Near the surface of the Earth, its magnetic field can be closely approximated
by the field of a magnetic dipole positioned at the center of the Earth and
tilted at an angle of about 10º with respect to the rotational axis of the
Earth. The dipole is roughly equivalent to a powerfull bar magnet , with its
south pole pointing towards geomagnetic north pole.
The north pole of a magnet is so defined because, if allowed to
rotate freely, it points roughly northward (in the geographic sense).
Since the north pole of a magnet attracts the south poles of other
magnets and repels the north poles, it must be attracted to the
south pole.
About the topic

TANGENT GALVANOMETER

A tangent galvanometer is an early measuring instrument used for the

measurement of electric current. It works by using a compass needle to
compare a magnetic field generated by the unknown current to the
magnetic field of the Earth. It gets its name from its operating principle,
the tangent law of magnetism, which states that the tangent of the
angle a compass needle makes is proportional to the ratio of the
strengths of the two perpendicular magnetic fields. It was first
described by Claude Pouillet in 1837.

A tangent galvanometer consists of a coil of insulated copper wire

wound on a circular non-magnetic frame. The frame is mounted
vertically on a horizontal base provided with leveling screws. The coil
can be rotated on a vertical axis passing through its centre. A compass
box is mounted horizontally at the centre of a circular scale. It consists
of a tiny, powerful magnetic needle pivoted at the centre of the coil.
The magnetic needle is free to rotate in the horizontal plane. The
circular scale is divided into four quadrants. Each quadrant is graduated
from 0° to 90°. A long thin aluminium pointer is attached to the needle
at its centre and at right angle to it. To avoid errors due to parallax, a
plane mirror is mounted below the compass needle.

In operation, the instrument is first rotated until the magnetic field of

the Earth, indicated by the compass needle, is parallel with the plain of
the coil.
Then the unknown current is applied to the co This creates a
second magnetic field on the axis of the coil. perpendicular to
the Earth's magnetic field. The compass needle responds to the
vector sum of the two fields, and deflects to an angle equal to
the tangent of the ratio of the two fields. From the angle read
from the compass's scale, the current could be found from a
table. The current supply wires have to be wound in a small
helix, like a pig's tail, otherwise the field due to the wire will
affect the compass needle and an incorrect reading will be
obtained. A tangent galvanometer can also be used to measure
the magnitude of the horizontal component of the geomagnetic
field. When used in this way, a low-voltage power source, such
as a battery. is connected in series with a rheostat, the
galvanometer, and ammeter. The galvanometer is first aligned
so that the coil is parallel to the geomagnetic field, whose
direction is indicated by the compass when there is no current
through the coils. The battery is then connected and the
rheostat is adjusted until the compass needle deflects 45
degrees from the geomagnetic field, indicating that the
magnitude of the magnetic field at the center of the coil is the
same as that of the horizontal component of the geomagnetic
field. This field strength can be calculated from the current as
measured by the ammeter, the number of turns of the coil, and
the radius of the coils.
CIRCUIT DAIGRAM

When a bar magnet is suspended in two magnetic fields B and

BH . It comes to rest making an angle theta with direction of BH.
From Figure B = BH tan$. This is known as tangent law of magnetism.

If $ is the deflection of the needle, then according to tangent law.

B = BHtan$ (1)

Let I be the current passing through the coil of radius a with n turns,
then the magnetic field generated by the current carrying coil is.

B = µonl/2a (2) (a is the radius of the coil)

Equating (1) and (2), we get.

BHtan$ = µonl/2a (3)

2aB/µon = I/tan$ (4)

The left hand side of equation (4) is a constant and is called the
reduction factor K of the given Tangent Galvanometer.

K = I/tan$ (5)

Now from the equation (3) & (5), the horizontal intensity of Earth's
magnetic field B, is.

BH-µonk/2a (6)

APPLICATIONS

 TANGET GALVANOMETER CAN BE USE D TO MEASURE THE MAGNETUDE

OF THE HORIZONTAL COMPONENT OF THE GEOMAGNETIC FIELD .
 THE PRINCIPLE CAN BE USED TO COMPARE THE GALVANOMETER
CONSTANTS.
EXPERIMENT

AIM

 To determine the reduction factor of a tangent galvanometer .

 To find the horizontal intensity of the earth’s magnetic field .

APPARTUS

Accumulator , Rheostat , Ammeter , Commutator ,Tangent

Galvanometer

PRINCIPLE & FORMULAE

 The reduction factor of T.G is K=I/tan$, where I is the current

flowing through the T.G which produces the deflection $.
 The horizontal intensity of Earth's magnetic field at a place. BH =
μonK/2r, where n is the number of turns of the coil. μo= 4π×10-7
NA-2
is the permeability of free space, K is the reduction factor of
the T.G and r is the radius of the coil of the T.G.
PROCEDURE

The circuit is made as shown in the diagram. The plane of the coil is
made vertical by adjusting the leveling screws. The plane of the coil is
made by adjusting the leveling screws. The plane of the coil is made
parallel to (90-90) in the compass box. The whole T.G is rotated to
read (0-0) at the ends of the aluminum pointer. Now the plane of the
coil is in the magnetic meridian.

The Commutator keys are put. The rheostat should be adjusted for
deflection in T.G between 10 and 60. For a current I, the deflections
of the pointer $, & $₂ are noted. The Commutator is reversed. The
deflections of the pointer $3 & $4 are noted. The average of the four
readings is the deflection $. From the theory of the T.G. I=K tan$.

By varying the current the experiment is repeated. Using a string the

circumference of the coil is measured. Hence its radius r is found. Let
n be the number of turns of the coil. The horizontal intensity at the
place is given by. BH= μοπΚ/2
OBSERVATION TABLE

Mean K = 0.19682

* The reduction factor of TH = 0.19682

* Number of turns of the coil = 50

* Circumference of the coil (S) = 2πr = 50.49 cm

* Radius of the coil r = S / 2π = 8.04cm = 8.04 10 -2

cm
Horizontal Intensity at the place BH = μοnk/2r = 2πηΚ×10-7/r = 7.6867×10-8

For different values of current I, deflections are noted and values are
calculated. Knowing K, n and r the value of horizontal intensity BH can be
calculated.

RESULT
1. The reduction factor of T.G, K = 0.19682 A

2. Horizontal Intensity at the place, BH = 7.6867×105T

CONCLUSION
Experiment in tangent galvanometer gives the reduction factor of galvanometer and
horizontal intensity of Earth's magnetic field.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

✔ Illustrative Oxford Book

✓ Wikipedia

✓ NCERT Practical's

✓ Introduction to Physical Science