大象传媒

9: The strength of a magnetic field - CCEAPrescribed practical P9 - results and conclusion

Learn how to safely plan and carry out an investigation into how the strength of a magnetic field depends on the current in the coil, the number of turns in the coil and the material used as the core of the coil.

Part of Physics (Single Science)Prescribed practicals

Prescribed practical P9 - results and conclusion

Results

Current in AReading 1 (no. of paperclips)Reading 2 (no. of paperclips)Average (no. of paperclips)
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
Current in A0
Reading 1 (no. of paperclips)
Reading 2 (no. of paperclips)
Average (no. of paperclips)
Current in A0.1
Reading 1 (no. of paperclips)
Reading 2 (no. of paperclips)
Average (no. of paperclips)
Current in A0.2
Reading 1 (no. of paperclips)
Reading 2 (no. of paperclips)
Average (no. of paperclips)
Current in A0.3
Reading 1 (no. of paperclips)
Reading 2 (no. of paperclips)
Average (no. of paperclips)
Current in A0.4
Reading 1 (no. of paperclips)
Reading 2 (no. of paperclips)
Average (no. of paperclips)
Current in A0.5
Reading 1 (no. of paperclips)
Reading 2 (no. of paperclips)
Average (no. of paperclips)
Current in A0.6
Reading 1 (no. of paperclips)
Reading 2 (no. of paperclips)
Average (no. of paperclips)

Graph

Graph showing number of paper clips on Y axis and current in A on x axis

Conclusion

As the current increases the number of paper clips held also increases.

This means that the strength of the electromagnet increases with increasing current, which agrees with our prediction.

In fact, since the line of best fit is a straight line through the origin, we can be even more precise.

We can say that, the strength of the electromagnet is directly proportional to the current.

If you double the current, you double the strength of the electromagnet.