Demonstration Manual

Electricity and Magnetism

DEM32 - Current Induced in a Moving Conductor

Objective:

- To show induction of current in a conductor moving in a magnetic field..

Apparatus:

• Swing mounted conductor
• Large horseshoe magnet
• O.H.P. galvanometer, scale 100-0-100 uA
• Long leads (2 spade-spade)

Method:

The overhead projection galvanometer is connected in series with the swinging conductor. This conductor is suspended vertically between the poles of a U-shaped permanent magnet. When the conductor is moved through the poles of the magnet, cutting the magnetic field in one direction, this causes the pointer on the galvanometer to move to one side. When the conductor is moved back through magnetic field, the pointer will move in the opposite direction with the same magnitude.

Note:

Scale deflection is small, due to the passing through the magnetic field of only one (1) conductor, as opposed to a multi-turns solenoid or coil.