INDEX
• Overview
• Aim
• Apparatus
• Theory
• Circuit diagram
• Procedure
• Observation
• Graph
• Result
• Precautions
• Sources of errors
• Bibliography
OVERVIEW
Although historically ancient travelers made
abundant use of the earth’s magnetic field for
the exploration of the earth, they were
ignorant of its origin . In many aspects the
earth’s magnetic field exhibits characteristics
similar to those of a bar magnet. Magnetic field
lines appear to originate from magnetic north
pole and go towards magnetic south pole.
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 of the earth. It gets its
name from its operating principle, the tangent
law of magnetism, which states that the tangent
of the angle of compass needle makes is
proportional to the ratio of strengths of two
perpendicular magnetic fields.
AIM
The aim of the project is to study the earth’s
magnetic field and find its value (𝑩𝑯 ) using
tangent galvanometer.
APPARATUS
• Tangent galvanometer (TG)
• Commutator (C)
• Rheostat (R)
• Battery eliminator (E)
• Ammeter (A)
• Plug key (K)
THEORY
The working of tangent galvanometer is based
on the tangent law. According to the tangent
law when a magnet is suspended freely in two
mutually perpendicular uniform magnet fields F
and H, the magnet comes to rest making angle
Ɵ with the direction H such that :
F = H tanƟ -----(1)
H mH
N
mF
S
mF
O
mH
Let a current I be passed through the coil of
radius R, having turns N. Then magnetic field
produced at the center of the coil is,
𝝁𝟎 𝟐𝝅𝑰𝑵
𝑭=
𝟒𝝅 𝑹
Let H be the horizontal component of the
earth’s magnetic field and magnetic needle
comes to rest at angle Ɵ with the direction of H
, the according to eq.(1) is,
𝜇0 2𝜋𝐼𝑁
H tanƟ =
4𝜋 𝑅
2𝜋𝐼𝑁
H tanƟ = 10−7
𝑅
10−7 ×2𝜋𝐼𝑁
H=
𝑅tanƟ
By substituting the value of I, we get
tanƟ 𝝁 𝟐𝝅𝑵
= 𝟎
𝑰 𝟒𝝅𝑹𝑯
Putting the values of radius of coil of
galvanometer R, deflection Ɵ and N the value
of H can be calculated.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
PROCEDURE
• Make the circuit connections in
accordance with the circuit diagram.
• Using the spirit level, level the base and
the compass needle in compass box of
tangent galvanometer by adjusting the
levelling screw.
• Now rotate the coil of the galvanometer
about its vertical axis, till the magnetic
needle, its image in the plane mirror fixed
at the base of the compass box and the
coil, i.e., all these three lie in the same
vertical plane. In this setting, the ends of
the aluminum pointer should read zero-
zero. If this is not so, rotate the box
without disturbing the position of the coil
till at least one of the ends of the pointer
stands at the zero marks.
• By closing the key the current flows in the
galvanometer. Read the both ends of
pointer. Now reverse the direction of
current by using the reversing key (R.K.).
When the mean inter of deflections shown
by pointer in the two cases (i.e. before and
after reversing the current) differ by more
than 1°, then turn slightly the vertical coil
until the two values agree. This will set the
plane of the coil exactly in the magnetic
meridian By adjusting the rheostat, bring
the deflection in galvanometer around
45°. The deflection should not be outside
the range (30°-60°).
• Record the reading of the ammeter and
the deflection of the compass needle in
box shown by two ends of pointer on the
scale.
• Reverse the current in coil of
galvanometer and again record the
current and deflection of needle.
• By changing the value of current, take four
more set of readings and plot the graph
between I and tan. The graph will be a
straight line.
• Measure the inner and outer diameter of
the coil with a half meter scale at least
three times.
OBSERVATIONS
• Range of Ammeter = __________
• Least count of Ammeter = ___________
• Zero error of Ammeter = __________
• Number of turns used (N) = ___________
Table 1 : for variation of 0 with I
S.no Value of Deflection, Mean Tan Ammeter reading (A)
(degree) Ɵ Ɵ
For direct For reverse Obs. corrected
current current
Ɵ1 Ɵ2 Ɵ3 Ɵ4
1
5
Table 1 : for variation of 0 with I
S.no Inner diameter Outer diameter Mean Mean radius
D1 (cm) D2 (cm) diameter R
d
3
GRAPH
From the graph
Slope (m) of straight line = BC/AC
or
tanƟ
m=
𝑰
Now
tanƟ 𝝁 𝟐𝝅𝑵
m= = 𝟎
𝑰 𝟒𝝅𝑹𝑯
Then, H = _________ Gauss
RESULT
The value of Earth’s magnetic field by using a
tangent galvanometer is ,
H = ____________ G= ___________ T
PRECAUTIONS
• The battery should be freshly charged.
• The magnetic needle should swing freely
in the horizontal plane.
• The plane of coil must set in magnetic
meridian.
• There should be no parallax in noting
down the readings of ammeter and
deflection.
• All readings should be adjusted between
300 and 600 .
SOURCES OF ERRORS
• There may be magnetic material around
the apparatus.
• The plane of the coil will not exactly in the
magnetic meridian.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
For successfully completing this project file
I have taken help from following :-
• www.google.com
• www.Wikipedia.com
• NCERT textbook
• Laxmi publication
physics lab manual
