ECE 1813 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM

Lab #5- Electromagnetism and Motors

Introduction:

An electric current creates a magnetic field around itself and there is a mechanical force developed by the
interaction of a magnetic field and a current. A varying magnetic field linking with an electric circuit
causes a voltage to be induced in that circuit. The field may be varied by mechanical motion or a changing
electric current but the resulting effect is known as electromagnetic induction. Familiarity with the
following laws will facilitate the comprehension of these phenomena.

Faraday’s Law

The voltage induced in an electric circuit is proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux linking the
circuit

𝑑𝜑 𝑑
𝑉=𝑁 = (𝑁𝜑)
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
Where φ is the magnetic flux in weber and N is the number of turns.

Lenz’s Law

An induced voltage has a polarity such as to produce a current which would develop a flux opposing the
motion or change producing the current.

The magnetic field about a current carrying conductor has a sense of direction given by grasping the
conductor in the right hand with the thumb pointing in the direction of the current, the fingers then point
in the direction of the magnetic flux around the conductor. If the conductor is wound in the form of a coil
then the individual turns produce flux which combines to form a total magnetic field with flux lines
originating from one end of the coil and returning by the other. The direction of these lines is found by
grasping the coil in the right hand with the fingers now pointing in the direction the current flow in the
wire coil, he thumb then points in the direction of flux. (Magnetic flux lines must be continuous and
closed.)

In the case of a current carrying conductor lying in a magnetic field, the portion which is normal to the
field will have a mechanical force exerted on it. The magnitude is given by 𝐹 = 𝑖𝑙𝐵𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 where B is the
flux density in Tesla, i is the current magnitude in amperes, l is the length of the conductor and  is the
field direction. The direction of the field can be determined by the right hand rule-the fingers point in the
direction of current but are then curled towards the direction of the flux. The thumb points in the direction
of the force.
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ECE1813 - Lab #5- Electromagnetism and Motors

Use of a Compass to determine Magnetic field Polarity

A compass is basically a small permanent magnet that is supported on a pivot and is free to move in a
360 circular area. One end of the compass “needle” is usually shaded or inscribed with the letter N as
shown in figure 1. This indicates the North-Seeking pole of the compass, and points in the general
direction the geographic North. It is itself a North magnetic pole. Since opposite magnetic poles attract,
this north pole of the compass must be attracted by a south pole-the earth’s south pole, located near the
geographic north. The compass magnet will align itself so that it points in the direction of the direction of
the path of magnetic flux originating from the earth’s magnetic field.

North Geographic Pole

S
N

South Geographic Pole

Figure 1 Schematics of a compass and of the Earth’s magnetic field

Objective

To investigate the properties of magnetic fields, magnetic and electrical induction, and the use of a motor-
generator set to illustrate the conversion of mechanical to electrical energy and vice-versa.
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ECE1813 - Lab #5- Electromagnetism and Motors

Part A
Apparatus

- induction coil with removable inner coil, - soft iron bar

- compass, - galvanometer
- dc power supply, - dc ammeter
- circuit board, - current force balance
- rheostat

The Magnetic Field Around Wires

Set the power supply of the dc wall source to about 20V, using a rheostat limit the current to under 3A.

Using a compass, determine the direction of the field above and below the wires both before and after the
circuit is connected, and mark on the blank circles below.

Figure 2

What is proven by these results?

Mechanical Force Demonstration

Using a 30V dc power supply, arrange a series circuit consisting of a 0-5A dc ammeter, 100Ω rheostat, the
current force balance and the supply. Set the rheostat to maximum resistance before connecting the
source. Reduce the rheostat resistance only until the current reaches the fuse rating at terminal box (3A).
Use the right hand force rule to check the directions. State your observations.
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ECE1813 - Lab #5- Electromagnetism and Motors

The Magnetic Field Around a Coil
a) Connect the inner coil to the power supply, set at approximately 2V. By using the compass, observe
how this coil becomes an electromagnet. Using the polarity of the ends of the coil predict what the
orientation of the winding is Sketch a diagram that contains the source, conductors and the coil with
predicted direction for the winding. Explain how you predicted the orientation.

Now check the orientation of the windings. Does your prediction match the orientation? If not, explain
what was wrong.
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ECE1813 - Lab #5- Electromagnetism and Motors

b) Repeat the observations of part a) using the outer coil (fine red insulated wire). Sketch and describe
the results and observations.

Verification of Lenz’s Law

a) Magnetize the soft iron bar. There are two ways: what are these?

- Determine the North and South poles of this “bar magnet”. For the following set ups make a
prediction of the direction of deflection of the needle of the galvanometer (whether cw or ccw). Using
Lenz’s law and the right hand rule, explain how you predicted.

Figure 3

- Now connect the galvanometer to the terminals of the inner coil as shown on the above diagram (the
power supply should NOT be part of this circuit). Close the galvanometer switch and note the
deflection of the meter as the North pole of the magnet is moved quickly into the top of the coil. Mark
the direction of the deflection of the needle of the galvanometer. On the diagram mark the polarity of
the voltage induced across the coil. Does your prediction match your observation? If not, explain what
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was wrong.

ECE1813 - Lab #5- Electromagnetism and Motors

- Now observe the direction of deflection as the bar magnet is quickly removed from the coil. Write
down your predictions as well as observations.

b) Repeat part a), this time inserting the South pole of the bar magnet. Write down your prediction and
observation.

Prediction with reasoning

Figure 4

Observation
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ECE1813 - Lab #5- Electromagnetism and Motors

Verification of Faraday’s Law
Connect the power supply to the inner coil, and the galvanometer to the outer coil. Place the inner coil
inside the outer coil (left diagram below). Depress the galvanometer key (middle one on Cenco
instruments), remove and re-connect one of the wires from the power supply, and note the magnitude
of the deflection. Also note the deflection while disconnecting write.

Figure 5

Your observations

Now, insert the iron bar into the inner coil (right diagram above). Depress the middle key and again
turn on the supply and note the size of the galvanometer deflection. Observe that there is no electrical
connection between the inner and outer coil. Explain why the iron core increases the induced voltage
by comparing what you have done in previous set up with you did in the “verification of Lenz’s law”
section.
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ECE1813 - Lab #5- Electromagnetism and Motors

Polarity Determination Using Lenz’s Law
Remove the iron core. With the inner coil connected in series with the power supply and the switch, place
the inner coil inside the outer coil (co-axial). With the galvanometer connected to the terminals of the
terminals of the outer coil, close the supply circuit and observe the galvanometer deflection. Record your
results in the table provided.

Repeat for the inner coil placed beside the outer coil with the iron core inserted to help retain field
strength. Why is this necessary?

Set up Galvanometer deflection Magnitude of current

(cw or ccw) (mA)
Co-axial coils
Beside-each-other coils

Explain clearly why the galvanometer deflected as it did, using Lenz’s law. The explanation requites that
you consider what is happening at the instant the switch is closed. 8
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ECE1813 - Lab #5- Electromagnetism and Motors

For many transformers it is necessary to indicate the relative polarities of the voltages induced in their
windings. This is done by a distinctive marking (such as “●”) on one terminal of each winding. An
increasing current into the marked terminal of one winding will cause an induced current to flow out of
the marked terminal of a second winding. The polarity markings permit proper connections of the coil to
be made without actually knowing how the coil is wound (as is the usual case).

Figure 6 Determination of polarity markings

Show correct dot placement on the following diagram.

Figure 7

Part B- Motors
Apparatus

- DC Motor-generator, - 20Ω power resistor

- 12-14 volt light bulbs, - dc ammeter
- dc voltmeter

The motor-generator set consists of two motors that are more or less equivalent to each other, but mounted
on the experiment board so that they will turn in opposite directions.

In this way, they can easily be used in motor-generator pair with one running as a motor (in this case
powered from a 12 volt source) which turns the shaft of the other in the opposite direction, generating
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electrical power if a circuit is connected.

ECE1813 - Lab #5- Electromagnetism and Motors

They may also be connected to both the generators if mechanical energy is used to turn the shaft (hand-
crank).

Procedure

1- Connect the hand-crank handle to the “right” motor (with the terminals nearest to you). Connect the
voltmeter to the terminals of each motor in turn while you crank as quickly and consistently as
possible. What readings are obtained?

Measured voltage _______________

2- Short the terminals of the “left” side motor and turn the crank. Then connect both “generators” in
series by connecting wires from red to red and black to black (this will be when it is considered that
the motors turn in opposite directions). Compare the force required in step one with each of the trials
in this step. Explain what is happening.

3- Connect the light bulbs in with both generators together with the ammeter, and measure the voltage as
you work the handle. Calculate power.

Current (A) Voltage (V) Power (W) Detailed calculation

4- Connect the 20Ω power resistor to the generator (“left” side motor) together with the ammeter and
voltmeter. Connect the motor (“right” side) to the 12 volt supply. Measure the power output to the
resistor. Now use the meter to measure the power input. What is the efficiency (Pout/Pin) of your
motor/generator? Record your results in the following table.
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Voltage (V) Current (A) Pin (W) Pout(W) efficiency

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ECE1813 - Lab #5- Electromagnetism and Motors

 The source

20-Ω resistor

Light bulb

Detailed calculations:

Conclusions

Part A:

Part B:
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ECE1813 - Lab #5- Electromagnetism and Motors