Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Wire - EX-5568
Measure the force on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field.
Product Summary
In this experiment, the magnetic force exerted on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field is measured.
The force on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field is given by:
Force = (current)(length)(magnetic field)
In this apparatus, the current-carrying wire is perpendicular to the magnetic field. The current, wire length, and magnetic field strength can be varied.
A wire of a certain length (mounted on a circuit board) is positioned between the poles of a horseshoe magnet, resting on a mass balance. When a current runs through the wire, the force of the current on the magnet registers on the balance.
In Part I, the current is varied while the wire length and the magnetic field are held constant. In Part II, the length of the wire in the magnetic field is varied while the current and the magnetic field are held constant. In Part III, the magnetic field is varied while the current and the wire length are held constant.
There are four different length wires (2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, and 5 cm), each mounted on a separate circuit board, so the relationship between wire length and magnetic force can be determined.
The magnetic field strength can be varied by removing each of the five horseshoe magnets one by one. The magnetic field remains uniform across the length of the wire because of the pole pieces in the magnet holder. The magnetic field strength can be measured with a Wireless Magnetic Field Sensor (PS-3221).