PROJECT WORK
SUBJECT : PHYSICS
TITLE OF THE PROJECT : MOVING COIL
GALVANOMETER
NAME OF THE STUDENT : NIVEDHA K.P.
CLASS AND SECTION : XII-E
ACADEMIC YEAR : 2023-2024
TEACHERS SIGNATURE :
Bonafide Certificate
This is to certify that the Physics project titled ‘MOVING
COIL GALVANOMETER’ is a Bonafide work carried out in
CS ACADEMY, ERODE during the academic year 2023-24
by NIVEDHA K.P. of Grade XII A
Subject teacher Principal
This project is submitted for All India Senior School
Certificate Internal Examination held on ____________
Internal Examiner External Examiner
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First and foremost, I would like to thank my School Director and the
Executive Director for having provided me with the facilities required for
my project. I extend my heartfelt thanks and profound gratitude to my
Principal, Mr. AmitKumar for his support during my project work.
It gives me great pleasure in expressing my gratification to
Mr.P.SathishKumar, Academic Coordinator for guiding us to proceed
forward.
I wholeheartedly express my deep sense of indebtedness and appreciation
to our teacher Mr.SrikanthNaidu for his motivation, guidance and
constant encouragement for the successful completion of the task.
I extend my recognition to all the faculty members of the Physics
department for their support during my project work.
Finally, an honourable mention goes to my family for their understanding
and provision throughout the process of completing the project.
With regards
Signature
Name
INDEX
S NO. CONTENTS PAGE NO.
1 INTRODUCTION 2
2 PURPOSE 3
3 APPARTUS REQUIRED 4
4 PRINCIPLE USED 5
5 CONTRUCTION OF MCG 6
6 DIAGRAM OF MCG 7
7 WORKING OF MCG 8
8 SENSITIVITY OF MCG 10
9 APPLICATIONS OF MCG 11
10 SCOPE OF PROJECT 12
11 CONCLUSION 13
12 BIBILIOGRAPHY 14
INTRODUCTION
● GALVANOMETER
A galvanometer is a device that is used to detect a small electric current or
measure its magnitude. The current and its intensity are usually indicated by a
magnetic needle’s movement or that of a coil in a magnetic field, which is an
important part of a galvanometer. Since its discovery in the 1800s, the
galvanometer has seen many iterations. Some of the different types of
galvanometer include Tangent galvanometer, Astatic galvanometer, Mirror
galvanometer and Ballistic galvanometer. However, today, the main type of
galvanometer that is used widely is the D’Arsonval/Weston type or the moving
coil type. A galvanometer is basically a historical name that has been given to a
moving coil electric current detector.
● MOVING COIL GALVANOMETER
A moving coil galvanometer is an instrument which is used to measure electric
currents. It is a sensitive electromagnetic device which can measure low
currents even of the order of a few microamperes.
Moving-coil galvanometers are mainly divided into two types:
1. Suspended coil galvanometer
2. Pivoted-coil or Weston galvanometer
2
PURPOSE
The fundamental purpose of a moving coil galvanometer is to serve as a highly
sensitive and accurate electromagnetic instrument designed for the detection
and quantification of low electric currents even of the order of a few
microamperes within an electrical circuit.
3
APPARATUS REQUIREMENTS
The main components of a moving coil galvanometer are coil:
● permanent magnets like a horseshoe magnet
● soft iron core
● non-metallic frame
● pivoted spring
● pointer
● measurement scale
4
PRINCIPLE USED
● A current-carrying coil, when placed in an external magnetic field,
experiences magnetic torque.
● The angle through which the coil is deflected due to the effect of the
magnetic torque is proportional to the magnitude of current in the coil.
5
CONSTRUCTION THEORY
The moving coil galvanometer is made up of a rectangular coil that has many
turns, and it is usually made of thinly insulated or fine copper wire that is wounded
on a metallic frame. The coil is free to rotate about a fixed axis. A phosphor-
bronze strip that is connected to a movable torsion head is used to suspend the coil
in a uniform radial magnetic field.
Essential properties of the material used for the suspension of the coil are
conductivity and a low value of the torsional constant. A cylindrical soft iron
core is symmetrically positioned inside the coil to improve the strength of the
magnetic field and to make the field radial. The lower part of the coil is
attached to a phosphor-bronze spring having a small number of turns. The other
end of the spring is connected to binding screws.
The spring is used to produce a counter torque which balances the magnetic
torque and hence helps in producing a steady angular deflection. A plane mirror
which is attached to the suspension wire, along with a lamp and scale
arrangement, is used to measure the deflection of the coil. The zero-point of the
scale is at the centre.
6
DIAGRAM OF A MOVING COIL GALVANOMETER
7
WORKING OF A MOVING COIL GALVANOMETER
Let a current I flow through the rectangular coil of n number of turns and a
cross-sectional area A. When this coil is placed in a uniform radial magnetic
field B, the coil experiences a torque τ.
Let us first consider a single turn PQRS of the rectangular coil having a length l and
breadth
b. This is suspended in a magnetic field of strength B, such that the plane of the
coil is parallel to the magnetic field. Since the sides PS and RQ are parallel to the
direction of the magnetic field, they do not experience any effective force due to
the magnetic field. The sides AD and BC being perpendicular to the direction of
the field, experience an effective force F given by F = BIl
Using Fleming’s left-hand rule, we can determine that the forces on PS and RQ
are in opposite directions to each other. When equal and opposite forces F
called couple acts on the coil, it produces a torque. This torque causes the coil
to deflect.
8
We know that torque τ = Force x Perpendicular distance between the forces
τ=F×b
Substituting the value of F, we already know,
Torque τ acting on single-loop PQRS of the coil = BIl × b
Where lx b is the area A of the coil,
Hence, the torque acting on n turns of the coil is
given by τ = nIAB
The magnetic torque thus produced causes the coil to rotate, and the phosphor
bronze strip twists. In turn, the spring S attached to the coil produces a counter
torque or restoring torque kθ, which results in a steady angular deflection.
Under an equilibrium
condition,
kθ = nIAB
Here, k is called the torsional constant of the spring (restoring a couple per
unit twist). The deflection or twist θ is measured as the value indicated on a
scale by a pointer which is connected to the suspension wire.
θ= ( nAB / k)I
Therefore, θ ∝ I
The quantity nAB / k is a constant for a given galvanometer. Hence, it is
understood that the deflection that occurs in the galvanometer is directly
proportional to the current that flows through it.
9
SENSITIVITY OF MOVING COIL GALVANOMETER
The general definition of the sensitivity experienced by a moving coil
galvanometer is given as the ratio of change in deflection of the galvanometer
to the change in current in the coil.
S = dθ/dI
The sensitivity of a galvanometer is higher if the instrument shows a larger
deflection for a small value of current. Sensitivity is of two types, namely,
current sensitivity and voltage sensitivity.
● Current Sensitivity
The deflection θ per unit current I is known as current
sensitivity θ/I θ/I = nAB/k
● Voltage Sensitivity
The deflection θ per unit voltage is known as voltage sensitivity θ/V. Dividing
both sides by V in the equation θ= (nAB / k)I
θ/V= (nAB /V k)I = (nAB / k)(I/V) = (nAB
/k)(1/R) R stands for the effective resistance
in the circuit.
It is worth noting that voltage sensitivity = Current sensitivity/Resistance
of the coil. Therefore, under the condition that R remains constant,
Voltage sensitivity ∝ Current sensitivity.
10
APLLICATIONS OF MOVING COIL GALVANOMETER
The applications of moving coil galvanometers include:
● Moving coil galvanometers are the most modern of all instruments and
are now used by most large manufacturers of scientific instruments.
● To detect the presence of current in an electric circuit.
● To detect the direction of flow of current in an electric circuit.
● To convert it into an ammeter.
● To convert it into a voltmeter.
● One common application is motor testing. Before a motor leaves the
factory, it must be tested to make sure it’s working properly and has no
shorts or other problems in its circuitry.
● Moving coil galvanometers are used in seismology to detect slight
shifts in Earth’s magnetic field. Typically a number of wires are laid
out around the device and a current is passed through the device. This
creates an electric field that induces an electromotive force (EMF) on
the system, which can be measured by measuring changes in the
voltage and current output of the system.
11
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
The scope of the project involves analysing studying and the different aspects of
moving coil galvanometer. This includes understanding the working of a moving
coil galvanometer,its construction and applications. The project also involves
conducting experiments to determine the sensitivity and accuracy of the
galvanometer for different currents.This project also involves the real life
applications of a moving coil galvanometer and its purpose.
Overall, the scope of the project would revolve around gaining a
comprehensive understanding of the moving coil galvanometer and its
practical implications in electrical measurements.
12
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the MCG is a reliable and accurate device for measuring small
electric currents. The coil experiences a torque when placed in a magnetic field,
resulting in rotation. The deflection of the coil is directly proportional to the
current passing through it.
The moving coil galvanometer has proven to be a valuable tool in various
applications, including scientific research, laboratory experiments. Its
sensitivity makes it suitable for detecting and measuring even the smallest
currents.
Overall, the moving coil galvanometer provides a reliable means oof current
measurement, offering valuable insights in various fields of study and
practical applications. Its precision and versatility make it an essential tool for
researchers, engineers, and scientists alike.
13
BIBLIOGRAPHY
● https://byjus.com/jee/galvanometer
● https://www.toppr.com/guides/physics
● Class 12 NCERT text book(part-1)
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