INDEX
I. INTRODUCTION
II. THEORY
III. OBJECTIVE
IV. REQUIRED APPARATUS
V. CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
VI. FORMULA USED
VII. PROCEDURE
VIII. OBSERVATION
IX. RESULT
X. PRECAUTIONS
XI. SOURCES OF ERROR
XII. APPLICATIONS
XIII. CONCLUSION
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I. INTRODUCTION
Electric currents produce magnetic fields. This experiment explains the procedure
through which a magnetic field is created around a straight current-carrying
conductor and through which its shape and strength can be detected and studied.
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II. THEORY
From Oersted’s Experiment, a straight electric current through a conductor
produces a magnetic field around the conductor. Using the Right-Hand Thumb
Rule, we can determine the direction of lines of the magnetic field: If the right-hand
thumb points along the direction of the current, then the direction of the lines of the
magnetic field is shown by the curled fingers.
Lines of a magnetic field for a straight wire are concentric circles around the wire.
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III. REQUIRED APPARATUS
• A straight copper wire
• DC power supply (power pack or battery)
• Switch
• Ammeter
• Magnetic compass or iron filings
• Cardboard sheet
• Connecting wires
• Stand and clamp
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IV. OBJECTIVE
To determine the direction and behavior of the magnetic field around a straight
current-carrying wire.
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V. CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
There is a straight wire standing erect on a piece of card. The wire is also joined to
a power supply in series by a switch and an ammeter.
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VII. PROCEDURE
1. Put the straight copper wire through the center of the cardboard.
2. Connect the wire in series with an ammeter, switch, and DC power supply.
3. Place a magnetic compass near the wire on the piece of cardboard.
4. Close the switch to allow current to flow through the wire.
5. Observe the deflection of the magnetic compass needle.
6. Alternatively, sprinkle iron filings on the cardboard and gently tap it to
display the shape of the circular magnetic field lines.
7. Vary the current and note changes in strength of magnetic field or compass
deflection.
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VIII. OBSERVATION
Current (I) Distance from wire (r)
Magnetic Field (B) in μT
in A in cm
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IX. RESULT
• Magnetic lines of force are concentric circles around the wire.
• The tilt of the field is a function of the direction of the current.
• Strength of the magnetic field depends directly on current and inversely on
distance from the wire.
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VI. FORMULA USED
The magnetic field B at a distance r along a long straight current-carrying wire can
be provided by:
B= (μ₀ I)/2pr
Where:
• B = Magnetic field strength
• μ₀ = Permeability of free space (4π × 10⁻⁷ T·m/A)
• I = Current in the conductor
• r = Radial distance from the wire
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X. PRECAUTIONS
• Tighten ends of wire to avoid resistance.
• Do not use too much current to prevent overheating.
• Do not subject the compass to other magnetic sources.
• Handle the iron filings gently and clean up afterwards.
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XI. SOURCES OF ERROR
• Inaccurate present measurement due to instrument error.
• External magnetic fields (like Earth’s field) influencing readings.
• Inhomogeneous sprinkling of iron filings.
• Inappropriate compass or wire alignment.
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XIII. CONCLUSION
The experiment confirms that a current-carrying straight conductor produces a
magnetic field around it. Pattern and strength of the field are according to theory,
and Right-Hand Thumb Rule accurately defines field direction.
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XII. APPLICATIONS
• Grasp the working principle of electromagnets and solenoids.
• Used for designing magnetic sensors and circuit breakers.
• Forms the basis of electromagnetism and of devices like electric motors and
generators.
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XIV. REFERENCES
[Link]
wire
[Link]
Current-Carrying-Conductor/category/Concepts/
[Link]
c-chapter/chapter2/section/section10
NCERT Class 10 and 12 Physics Book
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