sonometer anda horse-shoe
Aim
frequency ofthe a.C.
mains with a magnet.
To find the
magnets of equal| pole strengths), ,a
Apparatus
Asonometer,
slotted
a
weights (in steps of 50
two bar
horse-shoe magnet(ornon-magnetic material (say a brass wire). A
set of
of weights) a physical balance, a weight box and aclamp
wiregram
step-down
transformer (220V-6V), a
stand.
Theory material. The wire is
Let us have a sonometer with
a wire of
non-magnetic
field which is
stretched by a
applied perpendicular to
and placed in a uniform magnetic b
constant tension T
horizontal plane. Let an alternating current of frequency f cyclels
the wire and in the be an interaction between the applied magnetic field
passed through this wire. There will
conductor both of which are at right angles to each other. As a resulk
the current-carrving and produces a movement in it. The direction of
acts on the wire
of the interaction, a force hand rule. As the curent passing through
wire is given by the Fleming's left
motion of the cycle the wire mnoves upwards, and for
alternating in character, so for half the
the wire is
one second the Wire moves as many times
the next half cvcle it moves downwards. So in
many times down depending upon the frequency of a.c. As a result of it, the wire
up and as that of the a.c.
is set into forced vibrations with the same frequency as
natural frequency v of
If the distance between the two bridges is so adjusted that the there will be resonance
vibration of the wire segment equals the frequency of the a.C., then
and the wire would vibrate with a very large amplitude. In this situation
The frequency of the a.c. supply,
f= v=
21 Vm
where symbols T, I and m have their usual meanings. So if , T and m are determined
experimentally. f can also be determined by using the above formula.
Procedure
1. Sretch abrass wire (wire of non-magnetic material) over a sonometer in place
usual steel wire and suspend a hanger (of known weight of 50 g) from the free end ot
the wire passing over the pulley as shown in Fig. 6.5.
the
2. Apply a suitable tension lo the wire, say of I50 g. Connect the sonometer Wire to
secondary of the transformer (which steps down 220 Vac. to 6 V) as shown in Fig. 6.5.
220 V
(a.c.)
Step-down
G009099009999 transformer
6V (a.c.)
Horse-shoe magnet
W W
N S
Pulley
Weight
mg
Fig. 6.5. Frequency of a.c., using a sonometer and a horse-shoe magnet.
3. Mount a horse-shoe magnet vertically at the middle of the sonometer wire PQ in such
away that the wire is free to move in between the pole pieces N-S of the magnet and
the line joining the poles of the magnet is perpendicular to the length of the wire.
4. Switch on the a.c. supply. As the current passes through the wire, it begins to vibrate.
Adjust the distance between the two bridges WW starting with very small and sliding
of them away from the other such that the amplitude of the vibration becomes maximum.
At this stage, measure the length of the wire between the two bridges. This length is the
resonant length. Repeat this observation by decreasing the length starting from a large
wW gap. Take the mean of the two values of the resonant lengths. Record the value of
the tension applied.
5. Increase the tension by placing another slotted weight of 50 g on the hanger and take the
next observation for las explained in step 4. In this way, increase the tension in stages
of 50 g weight and take several sets of observations.
6. Now measure the length L (about 100 cm)of the sonometer wire, cut it and find its mass
m' in a sensitive balance and determine m the mass of 1metre of the wire and express
it in kg m.
7. Record the observations as detailed below:
Observations
Length of the wire (L) =.....cm
130
m'
=.glcm =. x101 kg/m.
length (m) =
Mass per unit volts.
transformer =.....
secondary of
Voltage across the values of | for different
Table 6.2.
Measurement of the
Resonant length l Mean
values of T
No.
of
Load (M)
(inchuding mass ofhanger)
(cm)
2 Mean l
length
Frequency
V=
Obs.
M
T= Mg (cm) (m)
21\m
(kg)
(newton) (H
1
2.
3
4
Calculation
The tension Tis given by T = Mg, where &, the
acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m
Substitute the values of T, I and m in the formula
V= 21Vm
and calculate the value of n for each set of observations.
The frequency of the a.c. mains, f = Mean value of v = Hz.
Precautions
1. The material of the sonometer wire should be non-magnetic.
2. The wire should be of uniform area of cross-section and free from kinks.
3. The wedges used should have sharp edges to get distinct nodes.
4. The horse-shoe magnet should be placed vertically near the middle of the wire with its
face perpendicular to the length of the wire.
5. The wire should be free to move between the
poles of the magnet.
6. Every observation for Ishould be repeated for each stretching load as shown in the
observation table.
7. After the experiment, the weights should be removed from the wire, otherwise the wire
may develop elastic fatigue.
131
Result
The frequency of the a.c. mains as determined by using an electromagnet and a sonometer
is, f =.....cycle/s or Hz.
Standard value of f f, = cycle/s or Hz
Percentage error, -x100 = .......%.
Discussion
1. Finding the frequency of alternating current (a.c. mains) by using a sonometer requires
a clear understanding and application of the phenomenon of resonance of strings under
1
tension. Frequency of vibration of a string under tension, v 21 Vm It depends on the
tension T, linear mass density mand length lof the wire between the two wedges. The
most convenient way to change v is to change I, the distance between the sharp edges
of the bridges, keeping the tension and mass per unit length constant. As the value of v
is continuously varied, at a certain length , vmatches with V, frequency of the a.c. This
length !, is the resonant length. Using this value of , the frequency vso determined is
a measure of V, of a.c.
Percentage maximum error in the measurement of v is given by
Av
+
1 AT +
1 Am
2 T 2 m
AT Amg AM 10
Variation in will be 10 g, say 2 kg = =0.5%
T mg M 2000
Am
Variation in Am ~0.001 g, m 2g
So,
Am 0.001g 0.05%
m 2.000g
Al
whereas in Al = 0.1 cm, l= 15 cm
0.1 cm 1
~ 0.8%
15 cm 150
Therefore, major contribution to error i.e., O.8%, i.e., rom the measurement of 1, which,
is though difficult, should be measured carefully.
132
2. In determination of frequency of a.c. mains :
i by electromagnet, the sonometer wire required should be of soft iron and
) by using horse-shoe magnet, the sonometer wire should be of non-magneti,
material.
Why this disparity?
In part (i), the sonometer wire willexperience a force by electromagnet only if the wire
is of magnetic material. Soft iron satisfies this requirement.
In part (i), the permanent magnet will pull the wire either way if it is of magnetic
material. Moreover. it is the electric current through the conductor placed in a uniform
magnetic field which produces a force. A non-magnetic, electrically conducting material
satisfies the requirement. Brass is quite economical as far as cost factor is concerned.
Sources of Error
T
The relation v = 21 Vm has been derived
under thc condition that the wire is perfectly
lexible. Hence an error may creep in due to
rigidity of the wire.
The wire may not be of uniform area of
cross-section. Its composition may not be
uniform.
3. Some friction might be present at the pulley
and hence the tension is less than that
actually applied.
