MAGNETIC FIELDS AND MAGNETIC FORCE

Eleazar Carlo C. Parazo, Phy13L/A4

eleazarcarloparazo@yahoo.com
Abstract
This experiment about Magnetic Fields and Magnetic Forces studies the nature of
magnetic fields around the poles of magnets. Furthermore, it determines the magnitude of
magnetic force on a current carrying wire and studies the nature of the relationships between
magnetic force and magnetic field, current length and orientation of current-carrying wire.
Lorentz Force is the concept/method that is used to get the data required and it is defined as
the combination of electric force and magnetic force on a charge particle. Lastly, the result of
this experiments shows that the magnetic force is directly proportional to the magnetic field,
the current, length of the current loop and in the orientation of the coil.
Key Words: electric force, magnetic field, magnetic force, Lorentz Force, electric field,
Introduction
As we all know magnets can attract and repel magnetic materials and it produces
magnetic field. Moreover, magnets have poles which are north and south poles and this poles
are grounded by a relationship that like poles repel and unlike poles attract each other. A
magnetic field is produced by electric currents which can be of macroscopic currents or
microscopic currents related with electrons in atomic orbits. Magnetic field is also often
described as the force it exerts on a moving charged particle. Back from Physics12 we

defined electric field E as the F E (electric force) divided by the test particle of charge
q from this it is only on stationary or at rest but if we are talking on moving charge or the
force depends on the velocity of the charged particle it is now under Lorentz Force Law.
Lorentz Force Law can be defined as the combination of electric force and magnetic force on
a charge particle where it is represented by the equation:

F =q(
E + ( v x
B))

F = total force,
E = electric force,
particle and v = velocity of the particle.

Where

of F

(1)
= magnetic force, q= charge of the

For the equation of magnetic force on a moving charge we consider that the direction

is perpendicular to v and B the given vector equation is:

F =q v x
B

(2)

Where F = force acting on a particle, B

and v = velocity of the particle.

= magnetic force, q= charge of the particle

The scalar form of the equation of magnetic force on a moving charge is mathematically
represented as
F=qvBsin (3)
Where is the angle less than 180 degrees between the velocity and the magnetic field.
This means that the magnetic force on a stationary charge or a charge moving parallel to the

magnetic field is zero if the angle between B and v is at =0 or 180 but if

B and v are perpendicular to each other it is said the force is maximum in this
condition.
If the charge is moving on a wire with a certain length L and we know that I=

dq
dt

since the

charge of the particle is moving with respect to time(t) as it moves on the wire the magnetic
force can be defined mathematically by the vector cross product which can be represented by
the equation:

F =I L x
B (vector form) or

F=I L Bsin (scalar form)

Where F , F= force acting on a particle, B , B= magnetic force,

wire and I= current

(4)

L = length of the

Methodology
This experiment about Magnetic Fields and Magnetic Force is divided into two parts.
The first part of the experiment is about magnetic fields of permanent magnets and the
second part of the experiment is about determining the magnetic force on a current carrying
conductor. Under the second part we also have magnetic force and magnetic field, current,
length of the loop and orientation of coil. In this experiment the materials that are used, as
seen in Fig. 1, are a power supply used for supplying the needed voltage and current, an iron
stand used for holding the current balance, a set of current balance, a digital balance used for
measuring in terms of grams(g), a set of current balance accessory unit, a banana type
connecting wires, and a set of magnets.

Figure 1: Materials used in the experiment.

1. Magnetic Fields of Permanent Magnets
The first part of the experiment is about magnetic fields of permanent magnets. First
we followed the set up of the combination of magnets on the handout. Then we sprinkle the
iron fillings on the magnets and carefully observed and sketch the magnetic field lines that
are formed on each set up as seen also in Fig. 2 to 5.

Figure 2: Like Poles of a Bar Magnets

Figure 3: Unlike Poles of a Bar Magnets

Figure 4: Two U-Magnets with their unlike Figure 5: Two U-Magnets with their unlike
poles facing each other

poles facing each other and iron ring at the center

2. Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor

Figure 6: Set up used for the second part of the experiment

To start of with the second part of the experiment we then first arranged the materials
as seen in Fig. 6. Then, we chose a current loop and carefully inserted it into the ends of the
arms of the main unit, with the foil extending down. We take note that inorder to have a good
result on the data, the conductive foil on the current loop must be situated between the poles
of the magnets and it should not touch the magnets.
2.1 Magnetic Force and Magnetic Field
In this part of the experiment we then first removed four magnets to the magnet
assembly and placed the magnet assembly on the digital balance. Then, we used any current
loop. We set the zero reading of the balance to zero by pressing the TARE button with no
current flowing. Then, we switched on the current and adjusted it to 5 Amps. while the
voltage setting is at maximum. Then we recorded the increase in mass in Table 2-a. We used
equation (5) below to solve for the magnetic force. Lastly, we repeated the steps above but
this time we add extra magnets one at a time.
F= ___ g

1 kg
x ( 9.8 m/ s )
( 1000
g)
2

(5)

2.2 Magnetic Force and Current

In this part of the experiment we used any current loop and we also set the zero
reading of the balance to zero by pressing the TARE button with no current flowing. Then we
set the voltage setting at maximum and the current on to 0.5 Amp and recorded the increase
in the mass. Lastly, we increase the current to a maximum of 5 Amps with 0.5 Amp
increments and filled out the Table 2-b
2.3 Magnetic Field and Length of the Loop

For this part of the experiment we inserted a SF40 current loop into the arms of the
main unit. Then we set the zero reading of the balance to zero by pressing the TARE button
with no current flowing. Then we set the voltage setting at maximum and the current 2
amperes and recorded the increase in mass. Lastly, we removed the SF40 that is attached and
replace it with a new current loop and then we repeated the process to record the increase in
mass with different current loop.
2.4 Magnetic Force and Orientation of Coil

Figure 7: Set up used in Magnetic Force and Orientation of Coil

.
For the last part of the experiment the overall setup is as seen in Fig.7. We first set the
dial of the current balance accessory unit to zero. Then, we positioned the magnet assembly
in a position that the magnetic field is parallel to the wires of the coil. With no current
flowing, we set the zero reading of the balance to zero by pressing the TARE button. After
that we set the voltage setting at maximum and the current was turn on to 2 Amps (maximum
current allowable) and recorded the increase in mass. Then, we increased the angle up to 90
degrees using an increment of 10o and recorded the increase in the mass at each angle. Lastly,
we repeated the whole process but this time, we used an increment of -10 o and recorded the
increase in the mass at each angle and fill out Table 2-d.
Results and Discussion
Part 1: Magnetic Field of Permanent Magnets
The results in this part of the experiment shows the magnetic field lines of magnets.
Like what I said earlier like poles repel while unlike poles attract. Moreover, the direction of
the magnetic field line is always outwards from N(north pole) and inwards to S(south pole).
In the part where two U-magnets where used and there unlike poles facing each other there
are four interactions occurring but when an iron ring is placed in the middle of the two Ushaped magnets, the magnetic field lines cant penetrate or go through the iron ring thus the
inner part of the iron ring has a nulled magnetic field.

Figure 2: Like Poles of a Bar Magnets

Figure 3: Unlike Poles of a Bar Magnets

Figure 4: Two U-Magnets with their unlike Figure 5: Two U-Magnets with their unlike
poles facing each other

poles facing each other and iron ring at the center

Part 2. Magnetic Force on Current-Carrying Conductor

The data that we gathered in Table 1 shows that increasing the number of magnets
will increase the magnetic force that it exerts or they are directly proportional to each other. It
follows the formula, F=qv x B .
Table 2.a: Magnetic Force on Current-Carrying Conductor
Magnetic Force and Magnetic Field
Low Voltage AC/DC Power Supply Setting:
digital balance initial reading: 0 gram
Voltage: maximum
Current: I = 5 Amps
Current Loop: SF 39
Number of
Magnetic force in
Magnetic force in Newton
magnets
gram
2
0.60 g
5.88 x 10-3 N
3
12.5 g
0.123 N
4
23.2 g
0.23 N
5
36.6 g
0.36 N
6
46.5 g
0.46 N
6

In Table 2 shows that increasing the current (I) will also increase the magnetic
force or their relation is directly proportional to each other.
Table 2.b: Magnetic Force and Current
Low Voltage AC/DC Power Supply Setting:
digital balance initial reading: 0 gram
Voltage: maximum
Current: 0 to 5 Amps with 0.5 increment
Current Loop: SF 39
Current,
Magnetic
Magnetic
Current,
Magnetic
Magnetic
I
Force in
force in
I (Amps) force in gram
force in
(Amps)
gram
Newton
Newton
0.0
158.8 g
1.556 N
3.0
159.4 g
1.562 N
0.5
158. 9 g
1.557 N
3.5
159.5 g
1.563 N
1.0
159. 0 g
1.558 N
4.0
159.6 g
1.564 N
1.5
159.1 g
1.559 N
4.5
159.7 g
1.565 N
2.0
159.2 g
1.560 N
5.0
159.8 g
1.566 N
2.5
159.3 g
1.561 N

In Table 2.c shows that increasing the length (L) of the wire will also increase the
magnetic force. This satisfies the formula, F=IL x B , and their relationship is that the
magnetic force is directly proportional to the length of the wire.
Table 2.c. Magnetic Force and Length of Current Loop
Low Voltage AC/DC Power Supply Setting:
digital balance initial reading: 0 gram
Voltage: maximum
Current: 2 amps
Current Loop: all
Current
Length,
Magnetic force in gram
Magnetic force in Newton
Loop
L
SF 40
1.2 cm
0.1 g
1.558 N
SF 37
2.2 cm
0.2 g
1.56 N
SF 39
3.2 cm
0.3 g
1.561 N
SF 38
4.2 cm
0.4 g
1.551 N
SF 41
6.4 cm
0.7 g
1.565 N
SF 42
8.4 cm
0.9 g
1.567 N

In Table 2.d shows that when the angle is at 0o the magnetic force will be maximum at
3.92 x 10-3 N. However, when the angle is at 90 o the magnetic force will be minimum at 0 N.

The formula that was used in this part of the experiment are F =I L x B (vector form) or
F=ILBsin (scalar form).
Table 2.d. Magnetic Force and Orientation of Coil
Low Voltage AC/DC Power Supply Setting:
digital balance initial reading: 0 gram
Voltage: maximum
Current: 2 amps (maximum allowable current)
Coil: Current Balance Accessory Unit
Angle,
Magnetic
Magnetic force in Angle,
Magnetic
Magnetic
force in
Newton

force in
force in
gram
gram
Newton
0
0.4 g
3.92 x 10-3 N
0
0.4 g
- 3.92 x 10-3 N
10
0.4 g
3.92 x 10-3 N
-10
0.4 g
- 3.92 x 10-3 N
-3
20
0.4 g
3.92 x 10 N
-20
0.4 g
- 3.92 x 10-3 N
30
0.3 g
2.94 x 10-3 N
-30
0.3 g
- 2.94 x 10-3 N
40
0.3 g
2.94 x 10-3 N
-40
0.3 g
- 2.94 x 10-3 N
-3
50
0.2 g
1.96 x 10 N
-50
0.2 g
- 1.96 x 10-3 N
60
0.2 g
1.96 x 10-3 N
-60
0.2 g
- 1.96 x 10-3 N
70
0.1 g
9.8 x 10-3 N
-70
0.1 g
- 9.8 x 10-3 N
80
0g
0
-80
0
0
90
0g
0
-90
0
0
The data that we gathered are good enough but there might still be some errors that
exist. The possible sources of error in the first part of the experiment would be the improper
arrangement of the magnets and the paper is prone to being moved. In the second part of the
experiment, it is important that the wires should not touch the magnets and they must be in
between because if not the data that will be gathered is not that good or accurate.
Conclusion
The results shows that the experiment was finished properly because the data that are
gathered agrees with the theories and formulas that are presented. Also we are expected to
study the nature of magnetic fields around the poles of the magnets, based on the experiment
the magnetic poles follows a pattern wherein the poles of the magnet have a magnetic field
direction where in the North pole(N) is always outwards and South pole(S) is always inward.
Also it follows the convention on magnets that like forces repel and unlike forces attract each
other.
In determining the magnitude of magnetic force on a current carrying wire we use the

F =q v x
B for a charge moving in a magnetic field and
F =IL x B for a
formula

current in a magnetic field which are vector forms where F = force acting on a particle,

L =
= magnetic force, q= charge of the particle, v = velocity of the particle ,
length of the wire and I= current. For scalar form of the magnitude of force we can use
F=qvBsin and F=ILBsin , where F= force acting on a particle, B= magnetic force,

L = length of the wire, I= current q= charge of the particle and v= velocity of the particle.
Lastly the nature of relationships between magnetic force and magnetic field, current, length
and orientation of current-carrying wires is that they are all directly proportional to each
other.
References:
Book
[1] Halliday, Resnik, Walker, Principles of Physics. Page 735-736,764, 9 th ed., John Wiley &
Sons, Inc. USA (2011)
Manual
[1] Benzon, AM, Magnetic Fields and Magnetic Force. Physics Lab Manual., 1-5(2014)
Others
[1] http://www.physics.udel.edu/~watson/phys208/clas0213.html
[2] http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/magnetic/magfie.html#c1
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_field
[4] http://educypedia.karadimov.info/library/ch21_print.pdf
[5] http://ww2.odu.edu/~jdudek/Phys112N_materials/4-magnets.pdf