LUCKNOW PUBLIC SCHOOL

MADHOGANJ, HARDOI
(Affiliated to CBSE, New Delhi)

--------------------Session: 2024-25-------------------

Physics Investigatory
Project on the topic:
“ To study the earth’s magnetic field using
the compass needle-bar magnet by
plotting magnetic field lines and tangent
galvanometer.”

Submitted by Submitted To:

Pranjul Dixit, XII A (32) Mr.Akash (Sub. Teacher)
 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Pranjul Dixit, student of Class
12th, Lucknow Public School, Madhoganj , has
successfully completed the physics project titled:
“Study of earth’s magnetic field using compass
needle, bar magnet, and tangent Galvanometer
”under the guidance and supervision of Mr. Akash,
as part of the academic curriculum for the year
2024-25.
The project is an original and independent piece of
work carried out by the student with sincerity,
dedication, and enthusiasm. It complies with the
prescribed standards and guidelines set forth for
such academic endeavours.
-------

Signature of Teacher

Signature of Principal

Signature of Examiner
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to
everyone who guided and supported me throughout
the course of this project.
First and foremost, I would like to thank my physics
teacher, Mr. Akash, for their invaluable guidance,
encouragement, and insights that helped shape this
project. Their explanations of the concepts and
continuous support were instrumental in
successfully completing this work.
I am also grateful to my school, LPS Madhoganj, for
providing the necessary resources and a conducive
environment to carry out this project.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to my parents and
friends for their constant encouragement and moral
support, which motivated me to work with
enthusiasm and dedication.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the importance
of practical experiments in enhancing
understanding and appreciation of physics, and I
am grateful for the opportunity to explore these
concepts through this project. -Pranjul Dixit
(XII A)
 Opening Thought

"Time and space are modes

by which we think and not
conditions in which we
live."
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Project Title
II. Introduction
III. Aim
IV. Materials Required
V. Diagram
VI. Theory
VII. Procedure
VIII. Observations
IX. Calculations
X. Conclusion
XI. Precautions
XII. Sources of Error
 Project Title
Study of Earth’s
Magnetic Field Using
Compass Needle, Bar
Magnet, Tangent
Galvanometer.
 Aim
Study of Earth’s Magnetic
Field Using Compass
Needle,Bar Magnet,And
Tangent Galvanometer.
 Introduction

In 1820, Hans Christian Oersted performed an

important experiment which showed that there was
a connection between electricity and magnetism.
When a current was switched on through a wire, it
made a compass needle turn so that it was at right
angles to the wire.
 Theory
I. Magnetic Field of Earth:
The Earth generates a magnetic field that
can be measured and mapped using a
compass needle. The Earth’s magnetic
field has both horizontal and vertical
components, and it generally runs from the
geographic South Pole to the geographic
North Pole.

2. Compass Needle:
A compass needle is a small magnet that
aligns itself along the direction of the local
magnetic field. By moving the compass
around, we can trace out the magnetic field
lines.

3. Bar Magnet:
 A bar magnet has a north and south pole,
and it produces a magnetic field around it.
The field lines exit from the north pole and
enter the south pole. The compass needle
can be used to study the direction and
shape of the magnetic field around the bar
magnet.
4.Tangent Galvanometer:
The tangent galvanometer measures the
strength of the magnetic field at a given
point. It consists of a coil of wire and a
compass needle at the centre. When
current flows through the coil, it generates
a magnetic field that interacts with the
Earth's magnetic field. The deflection of
the compass needle can be used to
determine the strength of the magnetic
field.
 Materials Required

 Compass Needle: small, free to rotate

 Bar Magnet usually 10 cm to 15 cm long
 Tangent Galvanometer with a coil and a
compass needle in the centre
 Protractor : is used for measuring angles
 Ruler :to measure distances
 Power Supply is used for the tangent
galvanometer
 Wires :is used to for connecting the power
supply to the tangent galvanometer
 Paper or a Flat Surface :is to place the
compass and bar magnet
 Iron Fillings : for visualizing the magnetic
field lines around the bar magnet.
 Multimeter : to measure the current through

the tangent galvanometer.

 PROCEDURE
Part 1: Mapping the Earth's Magnetic Field Using a
Compass Needle
1. Set Up:
Place the compass on a flat surface (paper or a wooden board)
free from nearby magnetic disturbances. Ensure the compass
can rotate freely.

Mapping the Magnetic Field:

Start by placing the compass needle at one point on the
surface. Record the direction it points (this will align with the
Earth's magnetic field).
Move the compass to several other positions on the paper,
recording the direction of the needle at each point. Draw a
small arrow at each point indicating the direction the compass
needle points.
Connect the arrows to create a continuous line representing
the Earth's magnetic field lines.
Repeat this procedure at different locations on the paper to
map the field lines around the compass.
Use a protractor to measure the angles between the compass
needle and the north-south axis to study the variation in the
Earth's magnetic field direction.

Optional: Use Iron Filings: Place the bar magnet on the

paper and sprinkle iron filings around it. Tap gently to reveal
the magnetic field lines around the bar magnet. Compare these
lines to those created by the compass needle.
Part 2: Studying the Magnetic Field of a Bar
Magnet
Set Up the Bar Magnet:
Place the bar magnet on the flat surface in the centre of the
paper.

Mapping the Magnetic Field of the Bar Magnet:

Place the compass needle near the north pole of the bar
magnet. Record the direction of the needle.
Move the compass to different points around the bar magnet,
marking the direction of the needle at each location. This will
trace out the magnetic field lines around the magnet.
Repeat the process for the south pole of the bar magnet.
You should observe that the magnetic field lines emerge from
the north pole and curve around to enter the south pole,
forming closed loops.

Labelling: Label the poles of the bar magnet and indicate

the direction of the magnetic field lines.

Part 3: Measuring the Magnetic Field Using the

Tangent Galvanometer
1. Set Up the Tangent Galvanometer:
• Place the tangent galvanometer on a flat surface and
ensure it is aligned with the Earth’s magnetic field
(the compass needle at the centre should align with
the Earth’s field).
 • Connect the power supply to the tangent
galvanometer and set a small current through the
coil (start with a low value, like 0.5 A).
2. Measure the Deflection:
• As current flows through the coil, the compass
needle will deflect due to the magnetic field
produced by the current in the coil.
• Measure the angle of deflection (θ) using the
protractor.
3. Calculate the Magnetic Field Strength:
• Use the formula for the magnetic field produced by
the coil to calculate the strength of the magnetic
field:

B= BH.tan
This relation is called Tangent Law.
µ𝒐 𝑵𝑰⁄
B= 𝟐𝑹
µ𝒐 𝑵𝑰⁄
𝟐𝑹 = BH.tan
𝟐𝑹𝑩𝑯 𝒕𝒂𝒏
I= ⁄µ 𝑵 = K.tan
𝒐

hhh
Where, K is called reduction factor of tangent galvanometer.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
 Analysis and Conclusion
1. Magnetic Field Lines:
o The field lines measured with the compass needle
around the bar magnet should show a pattern where
lines emerge from the north pole and curve around to
the south pole.
o The Earth's magnetic field lines will generally point
toward the geographic north, with some variation
due to local magnetic influences.
2. Magnetic Field Strength:
o Using the tangent galvanometer, you should be able
to calculate the strength of the Earth's magnetic
field at your location. Compare this value with
standard values (around 25 to 65 µT depending on
the location).
3. Magnetic Declination:
o By observing the direction of the Earth's magnetic
field (from the compass), you can estimate the
magnetic declination, which is the angle between
the geographic and magnetic north at your location.
Calculations
 Observations

Following are the readings/observations obtained

after performing the experiment.
 Conclusions

Experiment in tangent
galvanometer gives the
reduction factor of
galvanometer and
horizontal intensity of
Earth’s magnetic field.
 Precautions

• Ensure that the bar magnet and

compass are kept away from sensitive
electronic devices to avoid
interference.

• Handle the power supply for the

tangent galvanometer carefully to
avoid electrical hazards.

• All the magnetic materials must be

removed from the vicinity of the
tangent galvanometer.
 Sources of Error
• Some magnetic materials
may be present in the
vicinity of the tangent
galvanometer.

• The plane of the coil may

not be exactly in the
magnetic meridian.
 Bibliography
• Books
➢NCERT Physics Part I for Class XII
➢Concepts of Physics 2 (HC Verma)
➢Resnick, Halliday, Walker (Fundamentals
of Physics)
➢S.L. Arora (New Simplified Physics Part I
for Class XII)
➢The Usborne Illustrated Dictionary of
Science
• Websites
➢www.wikipedia.com
➢www.chatgpt.com
➢www.researchgate.net
➢www.ncert.nic.in
 Closing Thought

Physics is the ultimate

adventure; it's about
understanding the fabric of
reality itself.