Phys102-04 Berkay Özer Final Project

NAME: Berkay ÖZER
STUDENT ID: 22202119

Course Code: PHYS102 Section: 04
DEPARTMENT: Electrical & Electrical Engineering
Date: 05.05.2024
TITLE: THE MEASUREMENT OF EARTH’S MAGNETIC FIELD

1. Objective
In this experiment, objective is to conduct an experiment that measures the magnetic field
of the Earth. Thus, learning how a coil generates magnetic field and practicing the rules of
magnetic field.
2. Theory
First, the information about the Earth’s magnetic field and how compasses work is given
below.
The north pole of a compass’ needle points toward the south pole of a magnet, which
is how today’s magnetic field is oriented from inside Earth. It also points toward Earth’s
geographic North pole because the North Pole is near the magnetic south pole. (Ling et
al.,11.1,n.d)
Also, we can measure Earth’s magnetic field by using other techniques. NOAA uses
World Magnetic Model which is highly accurate. At the end of our experiment, we will
compare our results with this model. (Center, NCEI geomagnetic calculators,30.03.2024)
So, the needle of the compass follows the magnetic field that passes through the
compass. Then if another magnetic field is generated at the center of the compass. It is going
to create a vector sum which can be used to calculate the magnetic field of Earth. This is
because the angle between the vectors can be found by using the compass and the magnetic
field of the coil is known since the current on it and the radius of the coil.
Related formulas for the calculations are given below:
⃗ 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝐵𝐸𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ 𝑥̂ + 𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑦̂

𝐵 (1)
𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑖𝑙 tan⁡(𝜃) = 𝐵𝐸𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ (2)
𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑖𝑙 = 𝑁𝜇2𝑎0𝐼 (3)
Where 𝜇0 = 4𝜋 ∗ 10−7 T m/A and N is the number of turns of the coil, a is the radius of the
coil and I is the carrying current. Given below there is a diagram for the magnetic fields
mentioned above. The total magnetic field is r. The vector y represents Earth’s magnetic field
and the vector x represents the magnetic field of coil. The angle between them is 𝜃.
Figure 1: The Force Diagram of Magnetic Fields
3. Procedure
Equipment for the setup:
• Compass
• Rope
• Coil
• A quadrant
• Voltage Supply
• Cables
In this experiment there will be used a compass and a coil for the measurement of the
Earth’s magnetic field.
1. First the compass will be inserted in the middle of the coil
2. Then the coil will be connected to the voltage source.
3. Then by increasing the current supplied into the coil the magnetic field will be
increased. During this process, both the angle of the needle and the magnitude of the
current will be noted for the graphs.
4. Then by using the formulas above the magnetic field of the world will be found.
5. Finally it will be compared to NOAA’s data of Earth’s magnetic field and error
measurement will be made.
Below the overall structure of the circuit is given.
Figure 2: The Schematics of The Circuit (Amperemeter is represented by a diode)
4. Data and Results
Below the graphs of the measurements are given. The graphs are made in MATLAB. The
first graph shows the relationship between current and the magnetic field of the coil. The
second graph shows the relationship between angle between the magnetic fields and the
earth’s magnetic field. Lastly there is a error calculation that is made.
Figure 3: The Graph of Current and Coil’s Magnetic Field
Figure 4: The Graph of Magnetic Fields

The graph looks distorted due to the lack of preciseness in the compass. Because it was a
cheap one, the tangent changed rapidly and uncontrollably.
Below the exact numbers for the data are given.
Current(A) 0.23 0.30 0.45 0.50 0.70 0.90
Tangent tan(62) tan(86) tan(44) tan(137) tan(81) tan(102)
⃗𝑩
⃗ 𝑪𝒐𝒊𝒍 (T) 2.75*e-04 3.59*e-04 5.38*e-04 5.98*e-04 8.37*e-04 10.07*e-04
⃗𝑩
⃗ 𝑬𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒉 (𝑻) 5.17*e-04 5.13*e-04 5.20*e-04 5.58*e-04 5.28*e-04 5.06*-04
(*e-04 is just a way to show that the number on the left is multiplied by 10^-04 it is written as
e to make it compact.)
Average of the measured 𝑩⃗⃗ 𝑬𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒉 (𝑻) is 5.23*10^-4 while the net value is 5.10*10^-4 so the
error is %2.5. Which is quite low for an error value.
5. Conclusion
In the end, the experiment was a success. We were able to measure and calculate the
magnetic field of the Earth with very low error percentage. It was due to lack of resistance
in the circuit and better equipment that was provided in the electrical and electronics
department’s laboratory. The graphs were made in MatLAB and table was made in
Microsoft Word. This experiment was very teaching about creating a experimental setup
as it was about combining different equipment to a one.
My video for the experiment is below:
https://youtu.be/7p2zsMmsCgU
References
Center, N. G. D. (n.d.). NCEI geomagnetic calculators. NCEI Geomagnetic Calculators.
https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/calculators/magcalc.shtml, 30 March 2024
Ling, S. J., Moebs, W., & Sanny, J. (n.d.). 11.1 magnetism and its historical discoveries -
university physics volume 2. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-
volume-2/pages/11-1-magnetism-and-its-historical-discoveries, 17 March 2024.
Ling, S. J., Moebs, W., & Sanny, J. (n.d.). 11.1 magnetic fields and lines - university physics
volume 2. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-2/pages/11-
2-magnetic-fields-and-lines , 17 March 2024.

Phys102-04 Berkay Özer Final Project

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Phys102-04 Berkay Özer Final Project

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Phys102-04 Berkay Özer Final Project

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

NAME: Berkay ÖZER

STUDENT ID: 22202119

TITLE: THE MEASUREMENT OF EARTH’S MAGNETIC FIELD

⃗ 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝐵𝐸𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ 𝑥̂ + 𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑖𝑙 𝑦̂

Figure 3: The Graph of Current and Coil’s Magnetic Field

Figure 4: The Graph of Magnetic Fields

My video for the experiment is below:

You might also like