Basic Balance Current Sf-8607
Basic Balance Current Sf-8607
SF-8607
Basic Current Balance
SF-8608
Current Balance Accessory
scientific
012-04046C Basic Current Balance and Accessory
Table of Contents
Section Page
Copyright, Warranty, and Equipment Return ............................................... ii-iii
Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1
Equipment ........................................................................................................ 2
Operation ......................................................................................................... 3
Experiments
Experiment 1 Force versus Current .................................................... 5
Experiment 2 Force versus Length of Wire........................................ 6
Experiment 3 Force versus Magnetic Field ........................................ 7
Experiment 4 Force versus Angle ...................................................... 8
Maintenance..................................................................................................... 9
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Basic Current Balance and Accessory 012-04046C
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012-04046C Current Balance and Accessory
Introduction
A current-carrying wire in a magnetic field experi- With the PASCO SF-8607 Basic Current Balance, you
ences a force that is usually referred to as a magnetic can vary three of the variables in the equation—the
force. The magnitude and direction of this force current, the length of the wire, and the strength of the
depend on four variables: the magnitude of the current magnetic field—and measure the resulting magnetic
(I); the length of the wire (L); the strength of the force. By adding the SF-8608 Current Balance
magnetic field (B); and the angle between the field and Accessory, you can also vary the angle between the
the wire (θ). wire and the magnetic field, thereby performing a
complete investigation into the interaction between a
This magnetic force can be described mathematically
current carrying wire and a magnetic field.
by the vector cross product:
Fm = IL X B, This manual supplies general operating instructions for
both the SF-8607 Basic Current Balance and the
or in scalar terms, SF-8608 Current Balance Accessory. Step-by-step
Fm = ILBsinθ. instructions for four experiments are also included.
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Current Balance and Accessory 012-04046C
Equipment
The SF-8607 Basic Current Balance The SF-8608 Current Balance Accessory
Your SF-8607 Basic Current Balance includes the Your SF-8608 Current Balance Accessory includes the
items shown in Figure 1: items shown in figure 2:
• Main Unit, • the Current Balance Accessory Unit
• six Current Loop PC boards • Magnet Assembly.
• Magnet Assembly with six magnets.
Additional Equipment Needed:
Additional Equipment Needed:
• The Main Unit from the SF-8607 Basic Current
In addition to the included equipment, you will need Balance plus additional equipment as listed above
the following items to perform the experiments in this under additional equipment for the SF-8607.
manual:
• DC power supply capable of supplying up to 5 A
such as the PASCO Model SF-9584.
• DC ammeter capable of measuring up to 5 A such
as the PASCO Model SB-9624.
• Balance capable of measuring forces with an accu-
racy of 0.01 gram mass equivalent. The balance
can be either a quadruple beam balance, such as
the PASCO Model SE-8725, or an electronic top Magnet
Magnet Assembly
Assembly
loading balance such as the PASCO Model SE-
8709. Current
CurrentBalance AccessoryUnit Unit
Balance Accessory
• Lab stand such as the PASCO Model ME-9355. Figure 2 Equipment Included with the SF-8608 Current
• Hook-up wires with banana plug connectors such Balance Accessory.
as the PASCO Models SE-9750 (red) and SE-9751
(black).
Main Unit
Magnet Assembly
Current Loops
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012-04046C Current Balance and Accessory
Operation
The SF-8607 Basic Current Balance If you are using a quadruple-beam balance:
To set up the Current Balance (see Figure 3): First measure the weight of the Magnet Assembly with
no current flowing (F0). Then turn on the current, adjust
it to the desired level, and measure the weight of the
Magnet Assembly with current flowing (FI). With
Current Loop
current flowing, the reading will be higher or lower than
before. The difference in weight (FI – F0) is proportional
Main Unit Magnet
Assembly to the force exerted on the magnetic field (and thereby
the magnets) by the current-carrying wire. To investi-
Lab Stand 0.01 gram gate the relationship between current and force, vary the
Balance
current and measure the weight at each value.
Figure 3 Setting Up the SF-8607 Basic Current Balance If you are using a top-loading electronic balance:
With the Magnet Assembly sitting on the balance, tare
➀ Mount the Main Unit on a lab stand having with a rod the reading by pressing the appropriate switch on the
3/8 inch (1.1 cm) in diameter or smaller. balance. This subtracts the weight of the Magnet
➁ Select a Current Loop, and plug it into the ends of the Assembly from ensuing weight measurements, so only
arms of the Main Unit, with the foil extending down. the force caused by the current will be measured. Turn
the current on. If the reading is negative, reverse the
➂ Place the Magnet Assembly on a balance with at least leads where they plug into the arms of the Main Unit.
0.01 gram sensitivity. Position the lab stand so the The measured weight is directly proportional to the force
horizontal portion of the conductive foil on the Cur- caused by the current moving through the magnetic
rent Loop passes through the pole region of the mag- field.
nets. The Current Loop shouldn't touch the magnets.
Force vs. Current for SF-8607
➃ Connect the power supply and ammeter as shown in 3.00e-1
Figure 4.
2.00e-1
Force, grams
Base Unit
1.36e-20
0 1 2 3 4
C rrent amps
Current, amps
Figure 4 Connecting the Ammeter and Power Supply
Figure 5 Typical Data for Force versus Current
Measurements
Measuring the Force
Varying the Wire Length
➧ Note: In this manual, we use the balance reading Vary the wire length by using one of the six different
in grams as our measure of force. Most students Current Loops. To change the Current Loop:
will realize that the mass reading is proportional to
the actual force, which is given by the equation ➀ Swing the arm of the Main Unit up, to raise the
F = mg. If you wish to use the actual force value, present Current Loop out of the magnetic field gap.
simply multiply each reading in grams by 0.0098 Pull the Current Loop gently from the arms of the
newtons/gram to arrive at a force in newtons, or by base unit. Replace it with a new Current Loop and
980 dynes/gram to arrive at a force in dynes.
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Current Balance and Accessory 012-04046C
carefully lower the arm to reposition the Current Varying the Magnetic Field
Loop in the magnetic field. Six Current Loops are The magnetic field is varied by changing the number of
supplied with the SF-8607 Basic Current Balance magnets that are mounted on the Magnet Assembly. (We
Kit. The lengths are: recommend you mark the north pole of each magnet, to
Current Loop Length help students during setup.) The magnetic field strength
may not be exactly proportional to the number of mag-
SF 40 1.2 cm nets, but it is reasonably close, as seen by the data in
SF 37 2.2 cm Figure 7.
SF 39 3.2 cm
SF 38 4.2 cm SF-8608 Current Balance Accessory
SF 41 6.4 cm Using the SF-8608 Current Balance Accessory, you can
SF 42 8.4 cm determine how the angle between the current-carrying
wire and the magnetic field affects the force between
The lengths above were measured at the maximum
them. The basic experimental setup is shown in Figure 8.
length of the current-carrying wire foil. The effective
length may be somewhat shorter, as much as 0.2 cm for
single lengths and 0.4 cm for doubled lengths (doubled
lengths refer to Current Loops in which the current
passes between the magnet poles twice, once on each
side of the PC board). Main Unit
SF-8608
Accessory
Force vs Length for SF-8607 Unit Magnet
6.00e-1 Assembly
5.00e-1 0.01 gram
Lab Stand
Balance
4.00e-1
3.00e-1
g
Two different lengths of loop ➃ Set the current to a value of 2.0 amps. Take a new
0.00 reading and record this in your data table. Rotate the
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 dial clockwise in 5o increments, taking new readings
No. Magnets
each at each setting. Then rotate the dial counter-
clockwise in 5o increments. The resulting graph of
Figure 7 Typical Data for Force versus Wire Length
Measurements Force vs Angle should be a sine curve.
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012-04046C Current Balance and Accessory
Procedure
If you're using a quadruple-beam balance:
➀ Set up the apparatus as shown in figure 1.1.
➁ Determine the mass of the magnet holder and Current Loop
magnets with no current flowing. Record this value
in the column under “Mass” in Table 1.1.
Main Unit Magnet
➂ Set the current to 0.5 amp. Determine the new
Assembly
“mass” of the magnet assembly. Record this value
under “Mass” in Table 1.1.
0.01 gram
Lab Stand Balance
➃ Subtract the mass value with the current flowing
from the value with no current flowing. Record this
difference as the “Force.”
Figure 1.1 Equipment Setup
➄ Increase the current in 0.5 amp increments to a
maximum of 5.0 amp, each time repeating steps 2-4.
If you're using an electronic balance:
➀ Set up the apparatus as shown in figure 1.1.
➁ Place the magnet assembly on the pan of the balance. With no current flowing, press the
TARE button, bringing the reading to 0.00 grams.
➂ Now turn the current on to 0.5 amp, and record the mass value in the “Force” column of Table
1.1.
➃ Increase the current in 0.5 amp increments to a maximum of 5.0 amp, each time recording the
new “Force” value.
Data Processing
Plot a graph of Force (vertical axis) versus Current (horizontal axis).
Analysis
What is the nature of the relationship between these two variables? What does this tell us
about how changes in the current will affect the force acting on a wire that is inside a magnetic
field?
Table 1.1 Data
0.0 3.0
0.5 3.5
1.0 4.0
1.5 4.5
2.0 5.0
2.5
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Current Balance and Accessory 012-04046C
Procedure
➀ Set up the apparatus as in Figure 2.1.
Current Loop
➁ Determine the length of the conductive foil on the
Current Loop. Record this value under “Length”
in Table 2.1.
Main Unit Magnet
If you are using a quadruple-beam balance: Assembly
Data Processing
Plot a graph of Force (vertical axis) versus Length (horizontal axis).
Analysis
What is the nature of the relationship between these two variables? What does this tell us
about how changes in the length of a current-carrying wire will affect the force that it feels
when it is in a magnetic field?
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012-04046C Current Balance and Accessory
Procedure
➀ Set up the apparatus as shown in Figure 2.1. Use the shortest length current loop.
If you are using a quadruple-beam balance:
➁ Mount a single magnet in the center of the holder.
➂ With no current flowing, determine the mass of the Magnet Assembly. Record this value in
the first column under “Mass” in Table 3.1 on the appropriate line.
➃ Set the current to 2.0 amps. Determine the new “mass” of the Magnet Assembly. Record
this value in the second column under “Mass” in Table 3.1.
➄ Subtract the mass you measured when there was no current flowing from the value you
measured with current flowing. Record this difference as the “Force.”
➅ Add additional magnets, one at a time. (Make sure the north poles of the magnets are all on
the same side of the Magnet Assembly.) Each time you add a magnet, repeat steps 3-5.
If you use an electronic balance:
➁ Use a single magnet, centered under the center of the holder.
➂ Place the magnet assembly on the pan of the balance. With no current flowing, press the
TARE button, bringing the reading to 0.00 grams.
➃ Now turn the current on, and adjust it to 2.0 amps. Record the mass value in the “Force”
column of Table 3.1.
➄ Add additional magnets, one at a time. (Make sure the north poles of the magnets are all on
the same side of the Magnet Assembly.) Each time you add a magnet, repeat steps 3-5.
Data Processing
Plot a graph of Force (vertical axis) versus Number of Magnets (horizontal axis).
Analysis
What is the relationship between these two variables? How does the number of magnets
affect the force between a current-carrying wire and a magnetic field? Is it reasonable to
assume that the strength of the magnetic field is directly proportional to the number of
magnets? What would happen if one of the magnets were put into the assembly backwards,
with its north pole next to the other magnets’ south poles? If there is time, try it.
Table 3.1 Data
”Mass” ”Mass”
Number of I=0 I≠0 “Force” Number of I=0 I≠0 “Force”
Magnets gram gram gram Magnets gram gram gram
1 4
2 5
3 6
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Current Balance and Accessory 012-04046C
Angle “Mass” “Force” Angle “Mass” “Force” Angle “Mass” “Force” Angle “Mass” “Force”
(θ) (gram) (gram) (θ) (gram) (gram) (θ) (gram) (gram) (θ) (gram) (gram)
0 50 0 –50
5 55 –5 –55
10 60 –10 –60
15 65 –15 –65
20 70 –20 –70
25 75 –25 –75
30 80 –30 –80
35 85 –35 –85
40 90 –40 –90
45 –45
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012-04046C Current Balance and Accessory
Maintenance
Iron or Steel
"Keeper"
N S
S N
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Current Balance and Accessory 012-04046C
Notes:
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