INDEX

S.N Topic Page No.

o
1 Aim
2 Introduction
3 Application
4 Apparatus required
5 Theory
6 Procedure
7 Observation and calculation
8 Graph and result
9 Precautions
10 Facts
11 Bibliography
AIM
To study the Earth's magnetic field using the compass needle or bar magnet by
plotting the magnetic field lines and the tangent galvanometer.
 TANGENT GALVENOMETER
INTRODUCTION
The Earth itself behaves like a giant magnet, generating a magnetic field that
extends into space and forms an invisible shield known as the magnetosphere. This
magnetic field plays a crucial role in protecting life on Earth by deflecting harmful
solar wind and cosmic radiation. Its presence is also fundamental in navigation and
geophysical studies. This investigatory project focuses on understanding Earth’s
magnetic field, its measurement, and its interaction with artificial magnetic fields
generated by a bar magnet and a tangent galvanometer.

The Earth's magnetic field originates deep within Its core due to the dynamo effect,
which results from the movement of molten iron and nickel in the outer core. This
movement generates electric currents, which in turn produce a magnetic field. The
Earth’s magnetic field can be approximated by that of a giant bar magnet tilted at
an angle of approximately 11 degrees from the planet’s rotational axis. However,
unlike a bar magnet, the Earth’s magnetic poles are not stationary and tend to shift
over time due to changes in the core dynamics.

The magnetic field is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and
direction. It can be resolved into two components: the horizontal component (BH )
and the vertical component (BV ). The horizontal component is particularly
significant as it governs the direction of a freely suspended magnetic needle, such
as a compass. The study of this component provides valuable insights into the
Earth’s magnetic characteristics at a specific location.

Magnetic Field Lines. To visualize the Earth’s magnetic field and other magnetic
fields, scientists use the concept of magnetic field lines. These lines are imaginary
but provide a tangible way to understand the behavior of magnetic forces. They
emerge from the North Pole of a magnet and curve around to enter the South Pole,
forming closed loops. The density of these lines indicates the strength of the
magnetic field: the closer they are, the stronger the field. By studying the field
lines of a bar magnet, we can draw parallels to the Earth’s magnetic field structure.
Compass Needle and Earth’s Magnetic Field. The compass is one of the
simplest tools used to study the Earth’s magnetic field. A freely suspended
magnetic needle aligns itself with the horizontal component of the Earth’s field,
pointing approximately towards the geographic north and south. This property has
been utilized for centuries in navigation, enabling explorers and travelers to
determine directions accurately. In this project, a compass needle is employed to
study the Earth’s magnetic field’s orientation and to plot magnetic field lines
around a bar magnet.

Tangent Galvanometer and Measurement of BH. A tangent galvanometer is a

scientific instrument used to measure the horizontal component of the Earth’s
magnetic field. It works on the principle of the tangent law, which states that the
ratio of two perpendicular magnetic fields is equal to the tangent of the angle
formed by a resultant magnetic field. By passing a known current through the
galvanometer’s coil, a magnetic field is produced that interacts with the Earth’s
magnetic field. The resulting deflection of the galvanometer needle is used to
calculate BH Using the formula:
Tan𝜃=B/BH
Where 𝐵 is the magnetic field produced by the current in the coil, and 𝜃 is the
angle of deflection. This method provides a reliable way to quantify the horizontal
component of the Earth’s magnetic field, which varies with geographical location.

Relevance of Studying Earth’s Magnetic Field. Understanding the Earth’s

magnetic field has practical and scientific significance. For instance, it aids in
navigation, geophysical exploration, and understanding tectonic plate movements.
Additionally, variations in the Earth’s magnetic field provide insights into the
planet’s interior and its dynamic processes. The study of magnetic field lines
around a bar magnet further helps in comprehending the nature of magnetic forces
and their applications in everyday life, such as in motors, generators, and magnetic
storage devices.

Objective of the Project. This project aims to bridge the gap between theoretical
knowledge and practical understanding of magnetic fields. By using simple tools
like a compass needle and bar magnet, as well as advanced equipment like a
tangent galvanometer, the study seeks to:
 Determine the direction of the Earth’s magnetic field.
 Visualize and analyze magnetic field lines of a bar magnet.
 Measure the horizontal component of the Earth’s magnetic field using a
tangent galvanometer.
Tangent Galvanometer
Principle of Tangent Galvanometer
The tangent galvanometer operates on the principle of the tangent law of
magnetism. According to this principle:

When a magnetic needle is subjected to two mutually perpendicular magnetic

fields, the needle aligns itself in the direction of the resultant field. The tangent of
the angle of deflection (𝜃) of the needle is directly proportional to the ratio of the
magnetic field strengths.
TANGENT LAW OF MAGNETISM
The tangent law of magnetism describes the equilibrium condition for a magnetic
needle when subjected to two perpendicular magnetic fields. It states:
If a magnetic needle is acted upon by two mutually perpendicular magnetic fields,
the needle aligns itself in the direction of the resultant field, and the tangent of the
angle of deflection (𝜃) is directly proportional to the ratio of the magnitudes of the
two fields.
 The tangent law of magnetism states that the tangent of the angle of a
compass needle which is due to the movement under the influence of
magnetic field is directly proportional to the ratio of strengths of two
perpendicular magnetic fields.
 In simpler words, the tangent of the angle made by the moving needle under
the magnetic field directly indicates the strength of the perpendicular
magnetic fields.

DEFINITION
Tangent galvanometer is the device which was used to measure small amounts of
electric current.
CONSTRUCTION
 The working of tangent galvanometer is based on the principle of tangent
law of magnetism.
 It consists of a coil of insulated copper wire wound on a circular non-
magnetic frame.
 It is utmost necessary that the coil wound is done in helical arrangement
otherwise, the field due to the wire will affect the compass needle, thus
inducing an error in the reading.
 This frame is mounted vertically on a horizontal base for support.
 The coil of insulated copper wire is usually rotated on a vertical avis passing
through its centre.
 A small sized magnetic compass with a poy made to pivote at the centre of
this coil, such that it is free to rotate in a horizontal plane.
 The circular scale is used to read the movement of this magnetic needle
which is divided into four quadrants, each ranging from 0° to 90°.
 A pointer is attached to this needle at right angles, usually made up of thin
alluminium as alluminium is lighter in mass.
 The usual way of discarding possibilities of parallax is also used i.e placing
of a plane mirror below the compass needle.

WORKING
 The instrument needle starts moving firstly under the influence of Earth's
magnetic field.
 Movement continues untill the magnetic field of earth is parallel with the
plane of coil.
  Then, on application of an uknown current, a second magnetic field on the
axis of the coil which is perpendicular to the Earth's magnetic field is
created.
 Hence the compass needle responds to the vector sum of the two fields.
 This deflection angle is equal to the tangent of the ratio of those two fields.

APPLICATIONS
1. T.G. can be used to measure the magnitude of the horizontal component of the
geomagnetic field.
2. The principle can be used to compare the galvanometer constants.
3. For calibration of secondary instruments
APPARATUS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED
➤ Tangent Galvanometer (TG),
➤ Commutator (C),
➤ Rheostat (R),
➤ Battery (E),
➤ Ammeter (A),
➤ Key (K),

Plug key

Battery Eliminator Rheostat

THEORY
Tangent galvanometer is an early measuring instrument for small electric currents.
It consists of a coil of insulated copper wire wound on a circular non-magnetic
frame. Its working is based on the principle of the tangent law of magnetism. When
a current is passed through the circular coil, a magnetic field (B) is produced at the
center of the coil in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the coil. The working
of tangent galvanometer is based on the tangent law. It is stated as when a magnet
is suspended freely in magnetic field F and H, the magnet comes to rest making an
angle 0 with the direction H such that,
Eq 1: F=H tan 𝜃

When a bar magnet is suspended in two Magnetic fields B and BH, it comes to rest
making an angle & with the direction of BH.
Let a current I be passed through the coil of radius R, having turns N. Then
magnetic field produced at the centre of coil is,
Eq 2: F = µ0 2πΙΝ /4π R
Let H is the horizontal component of earth’s magnetic field and the magnetic
needle comes to rest at angle & with the direction of H, then according Eq. (1),
Htan𝜃 =μ0 2πΙΝ /4π R
Htan 𝜃 = 10-7 2πΙΝ/ R
Eq 3 : Η = 2π×10 ΙΝ Rtane
By substituting the value of current I, from eq. (3),
Eq 4: tan 𝜃 I = μ0 2πΝ/ 4π RH
Radius of coil of galvanometer R, deflection 𝜃 and N, the value of H can be
calculated.

PROCEDURE
Connections are made as shown in the figure given below, where K is the key, E
the battery, A the ammeter, R the rheostat, C the commutator, and T.G the tangent
galvanometer. The commutator can reverse the current through the T.G coil
without changing the current in the rest of the circuit. Taking the average of the
resulting two readings for deflection averages out, any small error in positioning
the T.G coil relative to the earth’s magnetic field.

PROCEDURE FOR PERFORMING THE EXPERIMENT

Make the circuit connections in accordance with the circuit diagram.
1. Using spirit level, level the base and the compass needle in compass box of
tangent galvanometer by adjusting the leveling screw.
2. Now rotate the coil of the galvanometer about its vertical axis, till the
magnetic needle, its image in the plane mirror fixed at the base of the
compass box and the coil, i.e.all
3. These three lie in the same vertical plane.
 4. In this setting, the ends of the aluminium pointer should read zero-zero. If
this is not so, rotate the box without disturbing the position of the coil till at
least one of the ends of the pointer stands at the zero marks.
5. By closing the key K, the current flow in the galvanometer. Read the both
ends of the pointer. Now reverse the direction of current by using the
reversing key. When the mean values of both deflections shown by the
pointer in the two cases (I.e. before and after reversing the current) differ by
more than 1º, then turn slightly the vertical coil until the two values agree.
This will set the plane of the coil exactly in the magnetic meridian.
6. By adjusting the rheostat, bring the deflection in galvanometer around 45°.
The deflection should not be outside the range (30°-60°).
7. Record the reading of the ammeter and the deflection of the compass needle
in the box shown by two ends of pointer on the scale.
8. Reverse the current in the coil of galvanometer and again record the current
and deflection of needle.
9. By changing the value of current, take four or more set of readings and plot
the graph between I and tane. The graph will be a straight line.
10.Measure the inner and the outer diameter of the coil with a half metre scale
at least three times

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

Table 1. For variation of 𝜃 with I

S.No Value of difflection 𝜃(degree) Mean Tan𝜃 Ammeter reading (A)

For direct For reverse
current current
𝜃 𝜃 𝜃 𝜃 Obs Corrected
1. 35 35 35 35 35 0.70 0.15 0.15
 2. 49 47 60 64 53.6 1.36 0.20 0.20
3. 36 36 55 58 46.28 1.04 0.25 0.25
4. 50 50 65 68 58.2 1.61 0.30 0.30
5. 45 45 64 65 53.8 1.37 0.27 0.27

Table 2. For radius of tangent Galvanometer

S.No Inner diameter Outer diameter Mean diameter d Mean radius

d1 (cm) d2 (cm) (cm)
1. 16 x 10- 2 16.40 x10-2 16.20x10-2 8.10x10-2
2. 16.16 x10- 2 16.08x10-2 16.12x10-2 8.06x10-2
3. 16.06 x 10- 2 16.10x10-2 16.08x10-2 8.04x10-2
Mean radius of coil R = 8.04 x 10- 2

GRAPH

Slope of straight line = BC AC

M = tan𝜃/I

Now substitute the m in Eq. (4),

m = μ0 2πΝ /4π RH

Then, H = 7.6867 x 10-8 T

RESULT
The value of earth’s magnetic field by using a tangent galvanometer is H = 7.6867 × 10-8 T

PRECAUTIONS
1. The battery should be freshly charged.
2. The magnetic needle should swing freely in the horizontal plane.
3. The plane of coil must be set in magnetic meridian.
4. There should be no parallax in noting down the readings of ammeter and deflection.
5. All the readings should be adjusted between 30º and 60°.

SOURCES OF ERROR
1. There may a magnetic material around apparatus.
2. The plane of coil will not be exactly in the magnetic meridian.

FACTS
The tangent galvanometer is an early measuring instrument for Current

➤ The magnetic field produced by a circular coil carrying current I is Proportional to I.

➤ The S.I unit of magnetic field is Tesla.

➤ The magnitude of horizontal intensity of earth’s magnetic field is3.5x10 T.

➤ For better result while doing tangent galvanometer experiment, the deflection should be in
between 30°-60°.

➤ The value of μo is 4πx×10-7 NA-2.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
➤ Tangent Galvanometer (Procedure):Comprehensive Physics Activities Volume I: Laxmi
Publications Pvt Ltd.

➤ Tangent Galvanometer (Theory): Comprehensive

Physics Activities Volume I: Laxmi Publications Pvt Ltd.

➤ Tangent Galvanometer (Precautions and Sources of error): Comprehensive

Physics Activities Volume I: Laxmi Publications Pvt Ltd.

➤ Galvanometer: http://physics.kenyon.edu/EarlyApparatus/Electrical_Measurements/
Tangent_Galvanometer/Tangent_Galvanometer.html

➤ Galvanometer: Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanometer