Physics Investigatory Project

AIM OF THE PROJECT
The aim of the project is to study the Earth’s magnetic field and find its
value (BH) using a tangent galvanometer.
OVERVIEW
The tangent galvanometer was first described in an 1837 by Claude-
Servais - Mathias Pouillet, who later employed this sensitive form of
galvanometer to verify Ohm’s law. To use the galvanometer, it is first
set up on a level surface and the coil aligned with the magnetic north-
south direction. This means that the compass needle at the middle of the
coil is parallel with the plane of the coil when it carries no current. The
current to be measured is now sent through the coil, and produces a
magnetic field, perpendicular to the plane of the coil and is directly
proportional to the current. The magnitude of the magnetic field
produced by the coil is B; the magnitude of the horizontal component
the Earth’s magnetic field is B. The compass needle aligns itself along
the vector sum of B and B’ after rotating through an angle Ø from its
original orientation. The vector diagram shows that tan Ø = B/B’. Since
the magnetic field of the Earth is constant, and B depends directly on
the current, the current is thus proportional to the tangent of the angle
through which the needle has turned.
APPARATUS AND MATERIALS

REQUIRED
 Tangent Galvanometer (TG),
 Commutator (C),
 Rheostat (R),
 Battery (E),
 Ammeter (A),
 Key (K), etc
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 θ
with the direction H such that,
(1) F = Htanθ
When a bar magnet is suspended in two Magnetic fields B and
Bh, it comes to rest making an angle θ with the direction of
Bh.
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 TG coil relative to the
earth’s magnetic field H.
*images of tangent galvanometer circuit, irl and theoretical*
PROCEDURE FOR PERFORMING THE

EXPERIMENT
1. Make the circuit connections in accordance with the circuit diagram.
2. Using spirit level, level the base and the compass needle in
compass box of tangent galvanometer by adjusting the levelling
screw.
3. Now rotate the coil of the galvanometer about its vertical axis,
until the magnetic needle, its image in the plane mirror fixed at the
base of the compass box and the coil, i.e. all s
4. These three lie in the same vertical plane. In this setting,
5. 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
until at least one of the ends of the pointer stands at the zero marks.
6. 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 10, then turn
slightly the vertical coil until the two values agree. This will set the
plane of the coil exactly in the magnetic meridian.
7. By adjusting the rheostat, bring the deflection in
galvanometer around 45 0 .The deflection should not be outside
the range (300 - 600).
8. 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.
9. R everse the current in the c oil of galvanometer and again
record the current and deflection of needle.
10. By changing the value of current, take four or more set of
readings and plot the graph between tan θ and I. The graph will be a
straight line.
11. Measure the inner and the outer diameter of the coil with a half-
metre scale at least three times.
OBSERVATIONS
1. Range of the Ammeter –
2. Least count of Ammeter –
3. Zero error in Ammeter –
4. Number of turns used (N) –
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 new.
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 300 and 600.
SOURCES OF ERROR
1. There may a magnetic material around apparatus.
2. The plane of coil will not be exactly in the magnetic meridian.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1.
https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co409936/
tangent-galvanometer-by-w-g-pye-and-co-cambridge-tangent-
galvanometers-galvanometers
26/10/22
2.
https://gkscientist.com/tangent-galvanometer/
26/10/22
3.
https://www.labkafe.com/products/plug-key-one-way-with-brass-block-
superior-quality
26/10/22
4.
https://www.britannica.com/technology/rheostat
26/10/22
5.
Conclusion follows….

Physics Investigatory Project

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AIM OF THE PROJECT

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS

PROCEDURE FOR PERFORMING THE

Advantages and Disadvantages:

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