Experiment Ei-08
Magnetic Field Around a Long Wire
Description: A
current carrying wire is stretched across the bed of a projector. The movements
of a compass needle, placed near the wire, can be observed by the class when the
projector is on. Near the wire, the compass needle turns so it is at right angles
to the wire. If the direction of the current is reversed, the direction of the
needle reverses also. Similar effects can be produced above and below the wire;
however, they are difficult to project for class viewing. The right hand rule
can be established from the results of this demonstration.
Setup.
A wire is stretched across the bed of a projector (left) and attached with metal
holders. The wire is connected in series with a variable current limiting resistor
(middle), a battery (right), and a switch (top, center). The compass is located
under the wire on the projector bed.
Close
up of the setup on the projector bed.
Materials: Projector,
wire, compass, posts, battery, resistor, switch
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Friday August 15, 2008 8:37 PM
