PH 1120 Lab 6: The Magnetic Field

Objectives

Observe and quantify the behavior of magnetic fields produced by:

Connect the Hall Effect probe and set the sensitivity to 6.4 mT.
Open the first Logger Pro template and zero the Hall probe. Set the probe on the table away from other electronic devices, and begin collecting data as you present the sensor with various magnetic fields through the following actions.
1. Push the end of a bar magnet toward the end of the probe, and watch the probe reading. When it reaches 5 mT (but not much higher), rotate it in place. Note in particular the perpendicular and anti-parallel orientations.
2. Place a paper clip parallel between the probe and bar magnet such that the three are touching end for end. Move the paper clip in and out of this configuration, observing changes in magnetic field throughout.
3. Bring the paper clip back to its line position, but now move the bar magnet away. Make note of the magnetic field value as the magnet is brought "infinitely" away.
4. Throw the paper clip against the table or floor a couple of times, then back against the Hall Effect probe. Compare this to the previous measurement.

With the power OFF, wire the ammeter and one solenoid in series with the power supply. Ground the circuit by connecting the ground to the negative port with another wire.
Turn the "Current (Limit) Adjust" and "Voltage (Limit) Adjust" dials on the power supply fully counterclockwise, then give the latter a half-turn clockwise. Turn the power supply on and ensure the reading is in Amps.
Set the probe sensitivity switch to 6.4 mT, open the second Logger Pro template and zero the Vernier sensors. Slowly turn "Current (Limit) Adjust" clockwise until the current reading in Logger Pro is 0.40 A.
Begin a 60-second data collection, and slowly insert probe in one end of the solenoid until it emerges from the other side. Watch the magnetic field reading as you do this.
Acquire the maximum B reading and repeat for 0.30 A, 0.20 A and 0.10 A.
Turn off the power supply, wire the second solenoid in series with the first end-to-end, separated by a few millimeters. Turn on the power, set the current to 0.40 A and measure B as before. Note how the measurement changes as the probe traverses across the gap between solenoids; save this graph for your report.
Turn off the power supply, disconnect the second solenoid, turn it 180 degrees, reconnect it, turn on the power supply and measure B. Save this graph for your report.

Commentary on the relative effects of the placements of a bar magnet and paper clip on the magnetic field.
Maximum B produced by a single solenoid at 0.40, 0.30, 0.20, and 0.10 A.
Figure of B produced by two aligned solenoids at 0.40 A.
Figure of B produced by two anti-aligned solenoids at 0.40 A.