SUGUNA PIP SCHOOL, COIMBATORE

(CBSE, Affiliation No. 1930213)

PHYSICS PROJECT ON THE STUDY OF

THE EARTH’S MAGNETIC FIELD USING
COMPASS NEEDLE, BAR MAGNET AND A
TANGENT GALVANOMETER

Academic Year: 2024-25

Project submitted in partial fulfillment of Practical Examination for Class XII,

All India Senior Secondary Certificate Examination

SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY:

MAAGULA THRILOK NATH Name : SEYASH K S
Roll No: 1667
Class : XII-A1

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 SUGUNA PIP SCHOOL, COIMBATORE

CERTIFICATE

CHEMISTRY PROJECT

This is to certify that the Computer science project report titled The Study Of The

Earth’s Magnetic Field Using Compass Needle, Bar magnet and A Tangent

Galvanometer which has been submitted to SUGUNA PIP School, meeting the

requirements of the CBSE Board practical examination for the academic year 2024 –

2025, is a bonafide work done by SEYASH KS

Signature of Principal Teacher Incharge

Signature of Internal Signature of External

Examiner Examiner

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank Mr.POOVANNAN, Principal, Coimbatore for this

immeasurable direction towards the course of action and support throughout the
project.

I would also like to thank my Faculty Guide, Madagula Thrilok Nath, for
his valuable mentoring throughout the project. The interesting lectures of my
knowledgeable teacher have helped me understand various concepts related to
The Study Of The Earth’s Magnetic Field Using Compass Needle, Bar
magnet and A Tangent Galvanometer and see their presence in the actual
world.

I got ample opportunity to do research, which enriched and broadened my

knowledge and understanding of this area. I am seriously indebted to them.

Thanks to my parents, friends, and everyone who has been directly or

indirectly supportive during my project.

Student Name : SEYASH KOUSALYA SATHEESHKUMAR

Register No. : 1667

Class : XII – A1

Date of Submission : / /2024

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 CONTENTS

S.No. TOPIC Pg.No.

1. AIM
4

2. INTRODUCTION
4

3.
USING COMPASS TO STUDY THE EARTH’S 5
MAGNETIC FIELD
4.
USING BAR MAGNET TO STUDY THE EARTH’S 6
MAGNETIC FIELD
5. FIELD LINE DRAWING
7

6. TANGENT GALVANOMETER
8

7. FINDING THE MAGNITUDE OF EARTH'S 10

MAGNETIC FIELD USING A TANGENT
GALVANOMETER
8. BIBLIOGRAPHY 15

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 Aim
Earth's magnetic field is essential for navigation and geophysical studies. Its behavior
can be examined using simple tools like a compass needle, bar magnet, and by
drawing magnetic field lines.

A tangent galvanometer experiment further explores the interaction between the

geomagnetic field and a magnetic field created by a current-carrying coil. By
adjusting the current, the horizontal component of Earth's magnetic field can be
measured, offering practical insights into electromagnetic principles and the
importance of Earth's magnetic field in science and technology.

………………………………………………………………………………………….

Introduction
Earth's magnetic field, known as the geomagnetic field, stretches from the
Earth's interior to where it encounters the solar wind, a stream of charged particles
from the Sun.

At the surface, the field's strength ranges from 25 to 65 microteslas (0.25 to

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0.65 gauss) and acts like a magnetic dipole, tilted about 10 degrees from the Earth's
rotational axis, similar to a bar magnet at the core. Unlike a fixed magnet, the
geomagnetic field changes over time due to the geodynamo effect, which is driven by
the movement of molten iron in the outer core.

Though the magnetic poles drift gradually, compasses still work effectively for
navigation. However, every few hundred thousand years, the magnetic poles reverse,
leaving a geological record. Paleomagnetists study these reversals to understand past
geomagnetic fields and the movement of continents via plate tectonics.

The magnetic field's strength is usually measured in gauss (G), though it is often
reported in nanoteslas (nT), where 1 G equals 100,000 nT. The field strength ranges
between 25,000 and 65,000 nT (0.25 to 0.65 G).

………………………………………………………………………….

Using a Compass to Study the Earth's Magnetic Field

A simple compass needle is a small magnet mounted on a pivot, free to rotate
in response to magnetic fields. The compass needle always aligns with the Earth's
magnetic field lines. The North-seeking end of the needle points towards the Earth’s
magnetic North Pole, and the South-seeking end points towards the magnetic South
Pole.

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Procedure:
To study the Earth's magnetic field using a compass, place the compass on a
flat surface. The needle will point towards the magnetic North. By moving the
compass around in different locations, you can trace the direction of the magnetic
field. This gives a basic understanding of the magnetic field's influence in different
areas.

Observation:
In the absence of any nearby magnetic objects, the needle of the compass will
always settle in the direction of the Earth's magnetic field, giving you an indication of
the local magnetic field's direction.

………………………………………………………………………………………….

Studying Magnetic Field Lines Using a Bar Magnet

A bar magnet is a simple and effective tool to visualize magnetic field lines.
The magnetic field of a bar magnet mimics the Earth’s magnetic field, and by using it
in conjunction with a compass, the field lines can be traced.

Procedure:
Place a bar magnet on a piece of paper and scatter iron filings around it. The
filings will arrange themselves along the invisible magnetic field lines, forming

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distinct patterns that curve from the magnet's North Pole to its South Pole.

Alternatively, you can use a small compass needle to trace the field lines. Place
the compass near the magnet and observe the direction in which the needle points.
Move the compass around the magnet and trace the direction of the needle at various
positions, drawing arrows to represent the field lines.

Observation:
The field lines of the bar magnet resemble those of the Earth’s magnetic field,
curving from one pole to the other. The denser the lines, the stronger the magnetic
field at that point. These lines provide a visual representation of the magnetic force
acting between the poles of the magnet.

………………………………………………………………………………………….

Field Line Drawing

Once you have traced the directions of the magnetic fields using both a
compass and bar magnet, you can visualize and draw the magnetic field lines.

Steps for Drawing:

1. Place the bar magnet or imagine the Earth as a magnet at the center of your
drawing.

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 2. Start drawing curved lines starting from the North Pole and moving towards
the South Pole.
3. The lines should never cross, and they should be denser near the poles,
representing stronger magnetic forces.
4. Include arrows to show the direction of the magnetic field – from North to
South outside the magnet and from South to North inside the magnet.

Interpretation:
These field lines offer insight into the directional flow and strength of the
magnetic field. In Earth's case, the field lines help explain phenomena like the
orientation of compass needles and the protective nature of Earth's magnetic field.

………………………………………………………………………………………..

Tangent Galvanometer
Principle

The tangent galvanometer works on the principle of tangent law.

Tangent law of Magnetism

The tangent law of magnetism states that the tangent of the angle of a compass
needle which is due to the movement under the influence of magnetic field is directly
proportional to the ratio of strengths of two perpendicular magnetic fields.

Definition
Tangent galvanometer is the device which was used to measure small amounts
of electric current.

Construction

1. The tangent galvanometer works on the principle of the tangent law of

magnetism.

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 2. It consists of a coil made of insulated copper wire, wound helically on a
circular, non-magnetic frame.
3. The helical arrangement is essential to prevent the magnetic field from
interfering with the compass needle, avoiding errors in readings.
4. The frame is mounted vertically on a horizontal base for stability.
5. The coil rotates on a vertical axis that passes through its center.
6. A small magnetic compass with a powerful needle is pivoted at the center of
the coil and is free to rotate in a horizontal plane.
7. The circular scale used for reading the needle's movement is divided into four
quadrants, each from 0° to 90°.
8. An aluminum pointer, attached at a right angle to the needle, helps in precise
readings, as aluminum is lightweight.
9. A plane mirror is placed under the compass needle to eliminate parallax error.

Working

1. The needle of the instrument initially moves due to the influence of the Earth's
magnetic field.

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 2. The movement continues until the Earth's magnetic field aligns parallel to the
plane of the coil.
3. When an unknown current is applied, a second magnetic field is generated
along the coil's axis, perpendicular to the Earth's magnetic field.
4. The compass needle responds to the combined (vector sum) effect of the
Earth's magnetic field and the magnetic field produced by the current.
5. The angle of deflection corresponds to the tangent of the ratio between these
two magnetic fields.

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Finding The Magnitude of Earth’s Magnetic Field Using

A Tangent Galvanometer

Apparatus

Accumulator , Rheostat, Ammeter, Commutator, Tangent Galvanometer .

Theory
A tangent galvanometer is an early instrument used to measure small electric
currents. It consists of a coil of insulated copper wire wound around a circular,
non-magnetic frame and operates based on the tangent law of magnetism. When
current passes through the coil, it creates a magnetic field (B) at the center,
perpendicular to the coil's plane. The tangent law states that when a magnet is freely
suspended in two magnetic fields, F and H, it comes to rest at an angle, with the
tangent of the angle proportional to the ratio of the two fields.

When a bar magnet is suspended in two Magnetic fields B and Bh, it comes to
rest making an angle with the direction of Bh. Let a current I be passed through the

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coil of radius R, having turns N. Then magnetic field produced at the centre of coil is,

Let H is the horizontal component of earth's magnetic field and the magnetic
needle comes to rest at angle with the direction of H, then according Eq. (1),

by substituting the value of current I, from eq. (3),

radius of coil of galvanometer R, deflection and N, the value of H can be

calculated.

Procedure

The connections are made as shown in the diagram, where K represents the key, E is
the battery, A is the ammeter, R is the rheostat, C is the commutator, and T.G is the
tangent galvanometer.

The commutator is used to reverse the current flow through the tangent galvanometer
coil without affecting the current in the rest of the circuit.

By averaging the two deflection readings after reversing the current, any small errors

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in the alignment of the tangent galvanometer coil with the Earth's magnetic field (H)
are minimized.

1. Connect the circuit according to the diagram.

2. Level the base and compass needle of the tangent galvanometer using a spirit
level and the leveling screw.
3. Rotate the galvanometer coil about its vertical axis until the magnetic needle,
its reflection in the plane mirror, and the coil are aligned in the same vertical
plane.
4. Ensure both ends of the aluminum pointer read zero; if not, adjust the box
without moving the coil until at least one pointer end shows zero.
5. Close the key (K) to allow current to flow through the galvanometer and record
the pointer readings. Reverse the current using the reversing key; if the mean
deflections differ by more than 1º, slightly adjust the coil until the values
match, aligning the coil with the magnetic meridian.
6. Adjust the rheostat to achieve a deflection of around 45° (within the 30°-60°
range).
7. Record the ammeter reading and the compass needle deflection at both ends of
the pointer.
8. Reverse the current again and record the current and needle deflection.

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 9. Change the current value and take four or more readings, then plot a graph of I
versus tanθ, which should yield a straight line.
10.Measure the inner and outer diameters of the coil with a half-meter scale at
least three times.

Observations

Mean radius of coil R =8.04 × 10^(-2)

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Graph

Slope of straight line=BC/AC

Now subsitute the value of m in Equation(4)

Then, H=7.6867x10^(-8) T

Result
The value of earth's magnetic field by using a tangent galvanometer is
H=7.6867x10^(-8) T

Precautions
1. The battery should be freshly charged.
2. The magnetic needle should swing freely in the horizontal plane.

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3. The plane of coil must be set in magnetic meridian.
4. There should be no parallax in noting down the readings of ammeter and
deflection.
5. All the readings should be adjusted between 30° and 60°.

Sources Of Error
1. There may a magnetic material around apparatus.
2. The plane of coil will not be exactly in the magnetic meridian.

Facts
● The tangent galvanometer is an early measuring instrument for Current
● The magnetic field produced by a circular coil carrying current I is
Proportional to I. The S.I unit of magnetic field is Tesla.
● The magnitude of horizontal intensity of earth's magnetic field is3.5x10^5 T
The value of μo is 4π x 10^(-7 ).
………………………………………………………………………………………….

Bibliography

● NCERT Class 12- Physics Textbook

● Galvanometerhttp://physics.kenyon.edu/EarlyApparatus/Electrical_Measureme
nts/Tangent_Galvan ometer/Tangent_Galvanometer.html
● Galvanometer-Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanometer
● www.wired.com
● www.ocw.mit.edu .com
● www.space.com
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