Determining the Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

Ordono, Cathleen1 , Fabon, Marie Eirene1, Jasme, Mhel1, and Verzosa, Frances2
1
UP College of Architecture, UP Diliman, QC
2
UP College of Engineering, UP Diliman, QC

Abstract
This paper presents and discusses the results of the group experiment done in
our Physics 72.1 class. The objectives of the experiment are to measure the
magnetic field in a solenoid produced by a current and to determine their
relationship as well as any changes due to differing number of turns per
meter. In line with the objectives, it is observed that the current, the number
of turns, and the length of the solenoid affect the magnitude of the magnetic
field. The current and the number of turns per meter are directly proportional
to the magnetic field strength with permeability as a constant proportionality.

1. Introduction
Magnetic fields can be produced when a current passes through a wire. In a tightly spaced coil with a current
flowing through it, the coil, which is also call the solenoid, can be considered as an electromagnet.
Solenoids is used in different kinds of industries today but they are mostly used in automated locking
systems, advanced medical equipment such as MRI scanners and even ordinary household devices such as
loudspeakers.
In order to define the magnetic field of a solenoid, it is essential to measure the magnetic field produced at
the center of the solenoid (1) as the current changes while the length and number of turns of the solenoid remain
constant and (2) as the length and number of turns of the solenoid changes while the current remains constant
using a magnetic field sensor. By observing the change in the measured magnetic field in these two different
conditions, we can establish the dependence of the magnetic field of a solenoid to its current and number of
turns.

2. Methodology
In this paper, we conducted several setups to find the sources of magnetic field and its relationship due to a
solenoid, current through the solenoid, and the spacing of turns of the solenoid. To fully understand the
methods, it should be emphasized that the very basis of the results of the experiment is generated by the
magnetic field sensor.

To determine the magnetic field inside a solenoid, we used a slinky to act as a solenoid in the experiment.
Using a meter stick, we stretched the slinky until it reached a length of 1 meter. We then connected the slinky to
the power supply to form a circuit. To avoid disruptions, we placed the power supply about 0.25 meters away
from the slinky. We determined the direction with the most positive magnetic field reading through the use of a
Vernier® Magnetic Field Sensor connected to a Vernier® LabQuest 2.0. We then used this reading as our
magnetic field strength.

National Institute of Physics

University of the Philippines - Diliman, Quezon City
8 March 2016
1
 Figure 1. Set-ups for Solenoid (slinky) connected to the power supply with a magnetic field
sensor placed in the middle of the slinky.

Using the setup demonstrated on the first part, we measured the magnetic field strength by placing it
between the turns in the middle of the slinky with the power supply off and was set to 0.5A. We defined the
relationship between the magnetic field and current through this set up.

To determine the relationship between the magnetic field and spacing of turns, the slinky was stretched
to 0.25m with the magnetic field sensor placed in the middle. We turned off the power supply after setting its
current to 1.5A. The magnetic field was recorded with varying length of the slinky.

We then mapped the magnetic field lines of four different set ups (as seen in the figures below) using
the field pattern window, magnetic field model, compass and a 3D field tracer.

Figure 2. A slinky stretched to 0.50 meters in length at a steady current of 2.0A without sensor

Figure 3. Set-ups for bar magnet and bar magnet combinations

3. Results and Discussions

Table W1. This table shows the data collected regarding the
magnetic field strength for every given current value.

Magnetic Field
Current I (A) Strength B
(mT)
0.5 0.055
1 0.102
1.5 0.149
2 0.209
2.5 0.235

Table W1 contains raw data of measurements of magnetic field in five different

values of the current. With the values given, it is observable that as the current through the
solenoid increases, the magnitude of the magnetic field also increases.

National Institute of Physics

University of the Philippines - Diliman, Quezon City
8 March 2016
2
 Table W2. This table shows the number of turns, turns per unit length, and
magnetic field strength for every given length.

Turns per unit Magnetic Field

Number of Length, n (m - Strength B
Length L (m) Turns, N 1) (mT)
0.25 61 244 0.476
0.5 61 122 0.219
0.75 61 81.3 0.123
1 61 61 0.083
1.25 61 48.8 0.065

Table W2 also contains raw data of the measurements of the magnetic field but with the value of L
changing while the current is constant. While the increasing length of the solenoid decreases the strength of the
magnetic field, the decreasing number of turns per unit length also decreases the strength of the magnetic field.
Both the Table W1 and W2 shows the direct relationship of the magnetic field to the current and the
number of turns per unit length. This can further be proved in theory through Ampere’s Law. Here we can
derive the equation B = μ0nI to determine the magnetic field strength B, where µ is the permeability of the
material, n is the number of turns per unit length, and I is the current. This equation shows that the magnetic
field created by an electric current is proportional to the size of that electric current with a constant
proportionality equal to the permeability of free space μ0. With the above values following the theoretical
proportion, the data gathered proves to be valid. Thus, the assumptions are valid.

Figure 4. Magnetic field path in a solenoid. Image taken from

http:/hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/magnetic/solenoid.html

The figure above shows how magnetic field lines travel inside and outside a solenoid. It is apparent
how the magnetic field lines are closer together inside the coil, while the lines outside are almost negligible in
comparison.

National Institute of Physics

University of the Philippines - Diliman, Quezon City
8 March 2016
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 Figure 5. Magnetic field path using a magnet

Figure 6. Magnetic field path using two magnets connected on both opposite ends.

Figure 7. Magnetic field lines using two magnets connected through the same ends.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 all show that the magnetic field lines are constantly directed from the North towards the
South of the magnets regardless of whether the magnets attract or repel each other.
Comparing the Figures 4 and 7 above, while unlike the bar magnet, the magnetic field line of the slinky
passes through its center, both the bar magnet and the slinky can be considered the same because of the same
direction and behaviour of their magnetic fields.

National Institute of Physics

University of the Philippines - Diliman, Quezon City
8 March 2016
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 Figure 8. This graph shows the progression of values as shown in Table W1.

The slope in the graph can be determined by using the equation B = μ0nI wherein B is the magnetic field
strength and I is the current. With the slope equivalent to B/I, we can say then say that the value is equal to the
number of turns, since μ0 is a constant proportionality.

Figure 9. This
graph represents the values given in Table W2. It shows the increase of turns per unit length in relation to the increase in magnetic field
strength.

Once again, by using the equation B = μ0nI we can say that the slope B/n is equal to the current I, with μ0 as
a constant proportionality. Both Figures 8 and 9 shows that the magnetic field strength of the solenoid is directly
proportional to its current and the number of turns per unit length. Both graphs also show the lines are well
within the margin of error.

National Institute of Physics

University of the Philippines - Diliman, Quezon City
8 March 2016
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4. Conclusions

Magnetic field strength in a solenoid are affected by the following: the current passing through the solenoid,
the number of turns per meter, and the permeability of free space. The product of these three factors is directly
proportional to the magnetic field strength with permeability as a constant proportionality. Moreover, our data
gathered showed how the magnetic field strength is related to the current and number of turns per unit length.
Both graphs illustrated above resulted two linear curves which means both current and number of turns per unit
length are directly proportional to the magnetic field strength.

Acknowledgements
To our physics professor, Sir Raiseth Fajardo, for guiding us in this experiment and for giving us the
guidelines and advice in writing this paper.
To the main library facility, that served well in our research and reference finding.

References

1. Kramer, Laird.Young, Hugh D.Study Guide, Sears & Zemansky's University Physics, 13th Edition, Chapter 28.5,
San Francisco, CA : Pearson, 2012. Print.
2. Wolf, Jonathan M.A., Ed.M., AP Physics B, 4th Ed. Chapter 17, Barron’s Educational Series, Inc, New York,
2008.
3.

National Institute of Physics

University of the Philippines - Diliman, Quezon City
8 March 2016
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