Electricity & Magnetism: Induction
Investigate the relationship between the magnetic flux, voltage, time, and number of turns in a coil of wire.
Your students will see the voltage change as the magnet passes through the coil—revealing for themselves a phenomenon central to power generation and electric motors.
Lab Summary
Students will use the Voltage/Current Sensor to investigate electromagnetic induction. The purpose of this activity is to measure the voltage or electromotive force (emf) induced in a coil by a magnet dropping through the center of a coil.
Students can measure the voltage induced in a coil as a bar magnet moves through the coil. They will explore the relationship between the induced voltage and several factors such as the speed at which the magnet moves through the coil, the strength of the magnet, and the number of turns of wire in the coil.
Theory
Voltage is measured in the wire coil as different aspects of the set up are varied.Downloads
- Computer-based lab (PDF, 613 KB) (613 KB, .pdf)
(student version)
- Xplorer GLX-based lab (PDF, 1.3 MB) (1.33 MB, .pdf)
(student version)
Method
Use a Voltage-Current Sensor to measure the voltage across a coil of wire as a bar magnet drops through the coil. Examine the graph of voltage versus time to determine the amount of voltage. Compare the voltage for coils that have different numbers of turns of wire.
Here's What You Need
U.S. Educator prices shown.
Required for computer-based lab: (See lab download for Xplorer GLX-based lab requirements, which may differ)
Probeware
PASPORT Voltage-Current Sensor (PS-2115) - $99
Allows students to safely measure voltage and current simultaneously without overloading the sensor. For use with PASPORT Interfaces.
Xplorer GLX (PS-2002) - $349
The Xplorer GLX is a data collection, graphing, and analysis tool designed for science students and educators.
Other Products
Alnico Bar Magnets (2 Pack) (EM-8620) - $26
Comprised of alloy mix of Al, Ni, and Co, is stronger and last longer than Iron magnets.
Lab Manual
The computer-based activity is included in Explorations in Physics (PS-2810). The Xplorer GLX-based lab is included in Physics with the Xplorer GLX (PS-2826). Both manuals are complete with Teacher Information pages, student instructions and handouts, and sample data.For your convenience, we offer bundles which provide the probeware for the activities in the manual. For more, please see:
Computer-based Physics Lab Manual and Bundles
Xplorer GLX-based Physics Lab Manual and Bundles
