Find out how the positioning of a solenoid (wire that has been coiled) on a metal core (iron core in our case) affects the strength of an electromagnet.

Authors Avatar

Anna Hamilton                                                                                              27/01/2005

GCSE Science Double Award Coursework: To find out how the positioning of a solenoid (wire that has been coiled) on a metal core (iron core in our case) affects the strength of an electromagnet

Aim:

To find out how the positioning of a solenoid (wire that has been coiled) on a metal core (iron core in our case) affects the strength of an electromagnet.

Predictions:

I think that the positioning of the solenoid (tightly wrapped coils of copper wire) on the iron core will not have any affect on the strength of the electromagnet, so when the solenoid is placed in the centre or on one of the two sides equal amounts of iron filings will be attracted to the electromagnet.

Scientific Explanation:

Hypothesis: The reason why I think the above will occur is because the positioning of the solenoid on the iron core will not change the magnetic field at all. The only variables that would change the magnetic field would be: current, material of the core + solenoid, how tightly the coils of wire are coiled and the thickness of the crocodile clips (more/less resistance). No matter where the solenoid is placed the magnetic field will be spread out equally, which means at the end all experiments will show that the positioning of the solenoid will have no significant affect on the results obtained. Another reason why I think this will happen is because from the basic theory of magnetism + how it occurs in a wire with a current passing through it does not suggest otherwise (so the strength of the magnetic field will remain constant if all the controlled variables are actually kept constants). However there are variables that will inevitably exist:

  • The Apparatus used
  • Positioning of the Solenoid
  • Voltage of the Power supply (Centre, Right and Left)
  • Amount of Iron Filings on the sheet
  • Length/diameter/material of the Core
  • Thickness of wire used for the coils and the connecters
  • How tightly the coils of wire are wrapped around the Iron core 8 (1mm)

Apparatus:

  • Power Supply
  • Balance (Top pan)
  • Ammeter
  • Voltmeter
  • 20 grams of iron filings
  • Copper solenoid
  • Iron core
  • Sheets of paper
  • Crocodile clips

Method:

Method: After all the apparatus is collected a 30 cm long copper wire has to be equally coiled around the iron core (tightly) to form a solenoid (3 times in the middle, 3 times right than left). Then the solenoid will be connected to thepower supply (9V), however with an ammeter in series and a voltmeter in parallel to the battery  to control two of the constants. After that a sheet of paper with iron filings equally spread over it will have to be prepared. Then the solenoid connected to the power supply, voltmeter and ammeter has to be placed very carefully on top of the sheet of paper with the iron filings (but the iron core with the solenoid has to be parallel to the sheet of paper with the iron filings so the contact area between the solenoid and the iron filings is the same throughout all the nine experiments). Then after ten seconds the solenoid has to be picked up with the iron filings it has collected and placed a few centimetres above the balance (making sure the solenoid is not disconnected from the power supply). Only after that, the solenoid can be detached from the power supply since then the iron core with the solenoid will lose its magnetism and drop the iron filings on top of the balance. Then the reading from the balance will have to be recorded in a table as well as the ammeter readings and the voltmeter readings (voltmeter and ammeter readings have to be made while the power supply is connected). Each experiment (Middle, Right and Left) has to be done 3 times so in other words 9 experiments in total to receive a reliable and variety set of results.

Join now!

I will make sure my experiment is safe because we are dealing with electricity some very important safety measures have to be kept in mind at all times. For example :

  • While connecting the apparatus always check if the power supply is turned off.
  • Too much electricity is dangerous because it might cause the equipment to over load causing it to burn or making the circuit wires start to melt.
  • Always wear safety goggles and be attentive all the time during the actual experiment.
  • Always connect the ammeter in series because if connected in parallel then ...

This is a preview of the whole essay