Understanding Magnetic Induction through the Demonstration

of Lenzs and Faradays Laws Using Different Electromagnetic

Set-ups
Chris Dominique D. Enriquez1 , Deus Lean B. Grafane2 , Kit Orlan Lemuel C. Nacion3*, Jennifer A.
Matabang4 , Marelle Anne Montalla5 , Dianne Joy Cathyrine V. Sanchez6 , Alethea Diana P. Villa7
1
Department of Industrial Engineering, CEAT UP Los Baos
2
Department of Electrical Engineering, CEAT, UP Los Baos
3
Department of Civil Engineering, CEAT UP Los Baos
4
Department of Industrial Engineering, CEAT, UP Los Baos
5
Department of Industrial Engineering, CEAT, UP Los Baos
6
Department of Civil Engineering, CEAT, Up Los Baos
7
Department of Industrial Engineering, CEAT, UP Los Baos
*Corresponding author:

Abstract
In this experiment, iron fillings were used to mapped the magnetic field
lines on a bar magnet. Electric currents produce magnetic fields and was
shown when the iron fillings become induced by the bar magnet. It was also
performed on two collinear bar magnets, and two parallel bar magnets in
order to present the effect of different position of the magnets in the
intensity of the magnetic field lines. Compasses were also used and were
placed at different positions around a single bar magnet in order to
demonstrate how the magnet or its magnetic field and the current through
the wire and solenoid affect the compass readings. The magnetic field of the
Earth was also measured using a galvanometer and is close to the
theoretical
value
given.
Keywords: magnetic field lines, induced, galvanometer

Introduction
Electric circuits are found at the heart of almost every device and machine we use these days. Most of
these electric devices not only use a battery as a source of EMF but an electric generating station that
converts other forms of energy into electric energy through the phenomenon called electromagnetic
induction [1]. In this phenomenon, a changing magnetic field produces EMF that causes the flow of
current. The current produced in a loop of wire in this manner is proportional to the change in the magnetic
flux that goes through the loop [2]. Named after the 19th century English scientist Michael Faraday, this
effect is called the Faradays Law of induction which can be stated as The EMF induced in a circuit is
directly proportional to the time rate of change of the magnetic flux through the circuit. [3] This can be
mathematically written as:

where = is the magnetic flux through the circuit and N is the number of turns in a coil. It is
also important to take note of the negative sign. Another law concerned with induction, Lenzs Law, states
that an induced current is always in such a direction as to oppose the motion or change causing it [4]. This
law is important in understanding the direction of induced EMF and current. These principles will allow us
to understand electrical energy-conversion devices such as motors, generators, and transformers [1].
In this experiment, EMF and current in a solenoid was induced using magnet. Current was also
induced using a power supply.

Methodology
Part A. Inducing EMF in solenoid using a magnet
The voltmeter was connected (interfaced with a LabQuest) to the terminals of the secondary
solenoid. After connecting the voltmeter, the magnet was dropped with north pole at the bottom through the
solenoid. The voltage was recorded as the magnet moved through the solenoid.

Figure 8.1 Set-up for measuring induced EMF in a solenoid

Part B. Inducing current in a solenoid using a magnet
The voltmeter was connected to the terminals of the secondary solenoid then the magnet was
placed inside it. The magnitude and direction of the galvanometer reading was recorded. Then, the half of
the bar magnet was moved slowly into the solenoid while the solenoid is facing the north pole. Then the
magnet was retracted and the magnitude and direction of the galvanometer reading was recorded.

Figure 8.2 Secondary solenoid set-up for measuring induced current

Part C. Inducing current in a solenoid using power supply
The length of the
primary solenoid was measured then inserted into the secondary
solenoid. The secondary solenoid was then connected to the galvanometer and the primary solenoid to the
power supply with a reading of 200mA (constant current). The magnitude and direction of the
galvanometer deflection was recorded when the power supply was turned on. Then, the power supply was
turned off and the magnitude and direction of the galvanometer deflection were recorded. An aluminum rod
was placed inside the primary solenoid then the observation was recorded when the power supply was
turned on. Iron rod was placed after and performed the same experiment. The power supply was turned off
after measuring the induced current and with the iron inside the primary solenoid, the primary solenoid was
withdrew a centimeter away from the secondary solenoid and the length of the primary solenoid still inside
the secondary solenoid was then measured.
Part D. Lenzs Law and Eddy current
The aluminum plates were positioned between the magnets and let the plates swung freely. The
observation in terms of number of swings and duration of total swing was recorded and the process was
repeated using the different plates.

Results and Discussion

Time (s)

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

North

0.031

0.029

-0.027

South

0.002

0.25

0.005

-0.003

As seen in the data above. Regardless of the pole of magnet that approached the solenoid first, current
would travel from the negative side (bottom of Solenoid) to the positive side (top of Solenoid). The main
reason for this is because the system in trying to stop the any change that occurs. Hence, initially the system
wants to prevent the magnet from entering the solenoid (Figure 1.b) so system pushed the magnet upward

by inducing a pole similar to the pole of the magnet. Then eventually pulls the magnet in to restore
equilibrium in the system (Figure 1.c). Meanwhile, without any magnets, no current travels from one side
to another, which implies that there is no induced Electromotive Force (EMF) because there is no change in
magnetic flux (Figure 1.a).

Part III. Inducing current in a solenoid using a power supply

Core Material
Power supply
Max current
magnitude
Air
On
3.6
Off
3.1
Aluminum rod
On
3.3
Off
3.9
Iron rod
On
12.5
Off
12.8

Max current
Direction
+
+
+
-

Table 8.3 shows the galvanometer deflections of different material as a core for the primary
solenoid. The direction of the current from turning the circuit ON and OFF are opposite from each other.
This is because from the equation of Faraday, it can be said that
= /
Therefore, an increase in magnetic flux results in a negative induced electromotive force whilst a decrease
in magnetic flux results in a positive induced electromotive force. This is observed in the experiment
performed as shown in table 8.3. When the circuit is turned on, the current is negative while when the
circuit is turned off, the current is positive. The current for both turning ON and OFF are of the same
magnitude but different direction. It can then be said that turning the circuit on and off produces an induced
current. This is because, from the equation above, a change in magnetic flux produces an induced current.
At the instant the circuit is turned on or off, an increase or decrease in magnetic flux respectively is
observed.
Meanwhile, changing the core of the primary solenoid gave different results for the magnitude of
the current. This is because of the differences of magnetic properties of the cores used. In the experiment,
three different cores were used: air, aluminium, and iron. It can be observed from the aforementioned table
that air and aluminium have similar values magnitude-wise whilst iron has a higher magnitude compared to
the two. The reason behind this is most probably because iron can be attracted by magnets and can

therefore act as a magnet itself. This then creates a second magnet inside therefore increasing the magnetic
field produced and thus inducing a higher magnitude of current.
Length of Primary inside
Max current
Max current
Average deflection
the Secondary
Power on
Power off
13.8
13.4
12.2
12.8
12.8
6.6
8.6
7.6
11.8
8.6
4.6
6.6
10.8
9.1
9.4
9.25
9.8
8.3
9.7
9
8.8
8.2
9.4
8.8
7.8
7.1
4.4
5.75
6.8
2.9
6.4
4.65
5.8
3.4
4.1
3.75
4.8
3.8
4.5
4.15
\
Table 8.4 then shows the effect of changing the length of the primary solenoid inside the
secondary solenoid. It can be observed that as you decrease the length of the primary solenoid in the
secondary solenoid, the maximum current present when the circuit is turned on and off decreases as well.
This is because as you decrease the length of the primary solenoid inside the secondary solenoid, the area
exposed to the magnetic field decreases therefore the magnitude of the magnetic flux decreases. A decrease
in the magnitude of magnetic flux then results in a decrease on the magnitude of the [maximum] current
that can be read as a result of turning the circuit on or off.
The last part of the experiment is about Lenz law and Eddy current. The fork swung the longest
compared to the spoon and the strain. The wider the shape of the pendulum, the less time it takes for it to
stop swinging. This is due to the eddy current that is present when a large conductor moves perpendicularly
in a magnetic field. Eddy current are small swirls that is the product of this intersection, these swirls are
magnetic field that oppose the magnetic field of where the plate is swinging through [8]. The opposing
magnetic field is what causes the plate to stop. When the plate is exposed to a magnetic field, it creates
swirls that oppose the magnetic field present in the magnet. Lastly, changing the material of the pendulum
will affect the ability of the magnet to stop the swirling. If the new material has a high conductivity then the
magnet will be able to stop the swirling faster but, if the material has less conductivity then it will take time
before the magnet can stop the swirling.

Aluminum
plates
Fork
Spoon
Strain

Table 9.5. Movement of swinging aluminum plates between two plates.

Number of swings
Duration of total swing
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Average
52
`52
58
54
18.9
18.9
22.7
20.17
14
16
14
14.67
6.7
6.8
6.6
6.7
20
18
24
20.67
8.0
6.5
8.8
7.77

Conclusion and Recommendation

The experimenters were able to prove Faradays and Lenzs law while conducting the experiment by
observing behavior of the induced emf and induced current when a magnet with a certain pole facing the
solenoid was dropped. The greater the change in magnetic flux and the greater the velocity of the magnet,
the greater the magnitude of induced current and vice versa, or simply the change in magnetic flux is
directly proportional to velocity and magnitude of induced current.
It was also found that the velocity of the moving magnet affects the value of the induced emf,
consequently affecting also the induced current. In this experiment, when the magnet is stationary with
either of the poles facing the solenoid, there is no induced current produced. However, when the magnet
was moved slowly, current is produced. When the velocity of the moving magnet increases, the magnitude

of the current induced also increases. Same observations applied when the magnet is being moved towards
or being retracted. From these observations, it can be concluded that the moving magnet causes an induced
current in a coil and the velocity of the magnet is directly proportional to the magnitude of the induced
current. This behaviour is supported by the Faradays law. As the velocity of the magnet increases, the
change in magnetic flux also increases. From the equation 1, induced emf is directly proportional to the
change in magnetic flux. Hence, increase in flux will increase the induced emf consequently inducing more
curret.
Furthermore, another factor that can affect the magnitude of the current induced by the moving magnet
on a solenoid is the number of wire loops made the solenoid. Although this relationship is not observed
experimentally, by just analysing the equation 3, as the number of turns (N) increases, the induced emf also
increases thereby inducing more current.
On the other hand, using three different coil materials namely, air, aluminium rod, and iron rod; the iron
rod produces the highest magnitude of current. Therefore, the higher the magnetic permeability of the core
object in a solenoid, the higher the induced emf and induced current. Note that the iron rod is a
ferromagnetic material which has a value of magnetic permeability increasing with magnetic field until it
reaches its maximum value [9].
Lastly, the more compacted a conductor is passing through a magnetic field, the greater the effect of the
eddy currents and the faster will it stop the conductor from moving.
The experimenters recommend that instead of using a galvanometer in determination of the magnitude
and direction of the induced current, it is more effective to use an ammeter or a multimeter. It is because
the deflection produced by the galvanometer is very minimal and thus the magnitude cannot be determined
correctly. On the other hand, the use of a multimeter will allow the measurement of the current even at very
low value.

Reference:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Young, H. D., Freedman, R. A. (2012). University physics with modern physics (13thed.). San
Francisco CA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Chapter 10: Magnetic Fields and Inductionl [PDF Document]. Retrieved from
http://physics.wm.edu/~labs/110/110_pdf/ch10.pdf
Serway R.A., Jewett J.W. (2004). Physics for Scientists and Engineers (6th Edition). Brooks Cole.
Miller, John. Nd. Electromagnetic induction. Emf induced in a moving conductor. Faradays law.
Lenzs law. Self-induction.Self-induced emf. Self-inductance of a coil of n turns. Energy stored in
an inductor. Electrical oscillations.Electric generator, motor. Retrieved from:
http://www.solitaryroad.com/c1048.htm