5H15.10 - Overhead Electromagnets

Code Number:
5H15.10
Demo Title:
Overhead Electromagnets
Condition:
Excellent
Principle:
Forces & Fields Around Current Carrying Wires
Area of Study:
Electricity & Magnetism

Disclaimer

Equipment:
6 V DC 30 A Power Supply, Overhead Induction Wire Configurations (3), and Iron Filings.
Procedure:

The three overhead demos are meant to be connected to the 6 V, 30 amp power supply.  Use the heavier wires as indicated as they get quite warm.  Be careful of the hot ends.  Turn on the power supply and sprinkle on the iron fillings.  Turn off when done as you are direct shorting the power supply.

The "dryer vent" toroid is useful as it will allow you to measure the magnetic field as a function of inner and outer radius of the coil without allowing the inner parts of the coil to short out.

References:
  • Jeffrey A. Phillips, Jeff Sanny, "Experimental Evidence for the Biot-Savart Law", TPT, Vol. 61, #7, Oct. 2023, p. 548.
  • Alon Drory, "Motivating the Biot-Savart Law", TPT, Vol. 61, #5, May 2023, p. 368.
  • Fatih Onder, Esra Bilal Onder, Mehmet Ogur, "A Microcontroller-Based Experiment to Determine the Magnetic Field Near a Straight Current-Carrying Wire", TPT, Vol. 60, #7, Oct. 2022, p. 557.
  • Andrew Ferstl and John Broberg, "An Inexpensive Toroidal Solenoid for an Investigative Student Lab", TPT, Vol. 26, #6, Sept. 2008, p. 376. 
  • Dileep Sathe and Oleg D. Jefimenko, "How are Magnetic Lines of Force Formed?", TPT, Vol. 44, #5, May 2006, p. 308.
  • Jung Sik Rno, "Magnetic Field Lines on the Factory Floor", TPT, Vol. 24, #4, Apr. 1986, p. 225.
  • Elizabeth A. Wood, "Going Three Dimensional", TPT, Vol. 12, #4, Apr. 1974, p. 196.
  • Phillip M. Rinard, "The Author Replies", TPT, Vol. 12, #4, Apr. 1974, p. 196.
  • Mario Iona, "Lines of Force", TPT, Vol. 12, #4, Apr. 1974, p. 196.
  • Phillip M. Rinard, "A Dynamical Illustration of Lines of Force", TPT, Vol. 11, #9, Dec. 1973, p. 553.
  • Norman Derby and Stanislaw Olbert, "Cylindrical Magnets and Ideal Solenoids", AJP, Vol. 78, #3, Mar. 2010, p. 229.
  • L. Basano, P. Ottonello, and C. Pontiggia, "The Magnet–Solenoid Equivalence: A Modern Experiment Using a Personal Computer", AJP, Vol. 56, #6, June 1988, p. 517.
  • "B-110. Magnet-Wire-Coil with Filings", DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook, 1993.
  • G. D. Freier and F. J. Anderson, "Ei-12", A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.
  • G. D. Freier and F. J. Anderson, "Ei-11", A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.
  • G. D. Freier and F. J. Anderson, "Ei-10", A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.
  • G. D. Freier and F. J. Anderson, "Ei-9", A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.
  • Richard Manliffe Sutton, "E-125", Demonstration Experiments in Physics.
  • Richard Manliffe Sutton, "E-123", Demonstration Experiments in Physics.
  • Martin C. Sagendorf, "Solenoid Coil", Physics Demonstration Apparatus, 2009. p. 98.
  • Martin C. Sagendorf, "Magnetic Field Surrounding a Wire", Physics Demonstration Apparatus, 2009, p. 61.
  • George M. Hopkins', "Effect of a Helix on Suspended Particles of Iron", Experimental Science, Vol. 2, p. 109.
  • R. W. Pohl, "Some Typical Magnetic Fields", Physical Principles of Electricity and Magnetism, p. 86.
  • David Kutliroff, "87. The Magnetic Field Around a Current-Bearing Conductor", 101 Classroom Demonstrations and Experiment For Teaching Physics, p. 193.
  • Borislaw Bilash II and David Maiullo, "Field Lines of Coils and Solenoids", A Demo a Day: A Year of Physics Demonstrations, p. 301.
  • Cy Tymoney, "Sneaky Solenoid", Sneakiest Uses for Everyday Things, p. 53.
  • Ron Hipschman, "Circles of Magnetism I", Exploratorium Cookbook II, p. 89.1 - 89.3.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "M.3. Field of a Coil", Turning the World Inside Out and 174 Other Simple Physics Demonstrations, p. 159 - 160.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "M.2. Field of a Long Straight Wire", Turning the World Inside Out and 174 Other Simple Physics Demonstrations, p. 157 - 159.
  • W. Bolton, "20. The Magnetic Field Due to a Solenoid", Book 4 - Electricity, Physics Experiments and Projects, 1968, p. 39 - 40.
  • W. Bolton, "19. The Magnetic Effect of a Current", Book 4 - Electricity, Physics Experiments and Projects, 1968, p. 37 - 38.
  • Sara Stein, "Magnetic Influence", The Science Book, p. 240.
  • Rudolf F. Graf, "Magnetic Field Around a Current-Carrying Conductor", Safe and Simple Electrical Experiments, p. 88.
  • Rudolf F. Graf, "Showing the Magnetic Field in Another Way", Safe and Simple Electrical Experiments, p. 90.
  • Rudolf F. Graf, "How to Show the Electromagnetic Field in Three Dimensions", Safe and Simple Electrical Experiments, p. 94.

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.