Earth's Magnetic Field EX-9913 Page 1 of 4

Earth's Magnetic Field

EQUIPMENT

INCLUDED:
1 Magnetic Field Sensor CI-6520A
1 Zero Gauss Chamber EM-8652
1 Rotary Motion Sensor CI-6538
1 Dip Needle SF-8619
1 Universal Table Clamp ME-9376B
1 45 cm Stainless (non-magnetic) Steel Rod ME-8736
1 Adjustable Angle Clamp ME-8744
NOT INCLUDED, BUT REQUIRED:
1 ScienceWorkshop 500 or 750 Interface CI-6400
1 DataStudio Software CI-6870

INTRODUCTION

The magnitude and direction of the Earth's magnetic field are measured using a Magnetic Field
Sensor mounted on a Rotary Motion Sensor. The Magnetic Field Sensor is rotated through 360
degrees by rotating the Rotary Motion Sensor pulley by hand. The Magnetic Field Sensor is
zeroed using the Zero Gauss Chamber, the walls of which are made of a highly permeable
material which redirects the magnetic field around the chamber.

THEORY

The magnitude of the Earth's field varies over the surface of the Earth. The horizontal
component of the Earth's magnetic field points toward North (magnetic South). The north end of
a compass needle is attracted to the south end of the Earth's magnetic field. So the pole which is
referred to as "North" is actually a south magnetic pole.
The total field points at an angle from the
horizontal. This angle () is called the dip
angle. An example for the Northern
BHorizontal
hemisphere is shown in Figure 1.
θ

B Horizontal
cos  
BTotal
BVertical

BTotal

Written by Ann Hanks

Earth's Magnetic Field EX-9913 Page 2 of 4

Figure 1: Components of the Magnetic Field (Northern Hemisphere)

SETUP

NOTE: During this experiment, keep the apparatus away from all sources of magnetic fields
(electrical, computers, computer interface, bar magnets). Also keep away from all ferromagnetic
materials (iron, steel chairs and tables).

1. Attach the Adjustable Angle Clamp to the Rotary Motion Sensor.

2. Use the provided nonmagnetic stainless steel rod in the table clamp. The table clamp is
mostly aluminum.

3. Attach the Rotary Motion Sensor to the support rod.

4. Screw the handle onto the Magnetic Field Sensor.

5. Align the key in the hollow handle with the slot on the Rotary Motion Sensor shaft and
slide the Magnetic Field Sensor onto the Rotary Motion Sensor shaft (see Figure 2). Put
the pulley on the side of the Rotary Motion Sensor that is opposite to the Magnetic Field
Sensor. This pulley will be used to rotate the Magnetic Field Sensor by hand. Put the o-
ring on the largest step of the pulley.

Figure 2: Complete Setup

Written by Ann Hanks

Earth's Magnetic Field EX-9913 Page 3 of 4

6. Slide the Angle Indicator onto the end of the Rotary Motion Sensor, orienting it away
from the Magnetic Field Sensor so it won't be in the way when the Magnetic Field Sensor
is rotated. Remove the screw and nut from the Angle Indicator because they are
ferromagnetic and will interfere with this experiment.

7. Plug the Rotary Motion Sensor into Channels 1 and 2 on the ScienceWorkshop 500
interface.

8. Plug the Magnetic Field Sensor into Channel A on the interface. Set the sensor's gain
switch to x100. Set the sensor's direction switch on axial to measure the magnetic field
aligned with the sensor probe.

9. Open the DataStudio file called "Earth Mag Field".

PROCEDURE

Horizontal Component of the Magnetic Field of the Earth

1. To allow the Magnetic Field Sensor to rotate in a horizontal circle, adjust the Rotary
Motion Sensor clamp so the angle indicator reads 90 degrees with the Magnetic Field
Sensor on top.

2. Put the Dip Needle in its horizontal orientation and position the Dip Needle directly
below the Rotary Motion Sensor. Align the case of the Rotary Motion Sensor with the
compass needle. Use the Rotary Motion Sensor case as a reference to the general
direction of the Earth's magnetic field. Remove the Dip Needle so its magnetic field
won't interfere with the experiment.

3. Rotate the Magnetic Field Sensor so the length of the probe is perpendicular to the
direction of the Earth's field as indicated by the Rotary Motion Sensor case. Slip the Zero
Gauss Chamber over the Magnetic Field Sensor probe and press the tare button on top of
the Magnetic Field Sensor. This will ensure that the maximum on the Magnetic Field
Sensor will not be exceeded during the experiment.

4. With the Magnetic Field Sensor still aligned as in Part 3, click on START in DataStudio.
Slowly and steadily rotate the Rotary Motion Sensor pulley through 360 degrees. Be sure
to rotate in the direction which gives positive angles. DataStudio will automatically stop
when 360 degrees is reached.

5. To eliminate magnetic noise from electrical circuits, enter a smoothing factor (try 8) into
the DataStudio calculator. For example: B = smooth(8,smooth(8,x)). Click on Accept.
You should see the graph update with smoother data.

6. Examine the graph of the magnetic field strength versus angle. At what angle from the
starting position is the magnetic field maximum? Does this approximately correspond to
the direction of the Earth's field as shown by the compass needle?

Written by Ann Hanks

Earth's Magnetic Field EX-9913 Page 4 of 4

7. Which direction is North (magnetic South)? Remember the magnetic field reads positive
when the field points into the end of the sensor. Does the compass needle point in the
same direction indicated by the magnetic field maximum?

8. Use the Smart Cursor to measure from the peak to the trough and determine the
maximum value of the horizontal component of the magnetic field.

Total Magnetic Field of the Earth

1. To allow the Magnetic Field Sensor to rotate in a vertical circle, adjust the Rotary Motion
Sensor clamp so the angle indicator reads zero degrees. Keep the Rotary Motion Sensor
aligned with the Earth's field as shown by the compass needle (Dip Needle).

2. Point the Magnetic Field Sensor probe horizontally.

3. Put the end of the Magnetic Field Sensor all the way into the Zero Gauss Chamber and
press the tare button on the Magnetic Field Sensor.

4. With the Magnetic Field Sensor still horizontal, click on START in DataStudio. Slowly
and steadily rotate the Rotary Motion Sensor pulley through 360 degrees and until the
program automatically stops recording data.

5. To eliminate magnetic noise from electrical circuits, enter a smoothing factor (try 8) into
the DataStudio calculator. For example: B = smooth(8,smooth(8,x)). Click on Accept.
You should see the graph update with smoother data.

6. Use the Smart Cursor to measure from the peak to the trough and determine the
maximum value of the total magnetic field.

The Dip Angle

1. Use the horizontal component and the total magnetic field to calculate the dip angle.

2. Examine the graph of the magnetic field strength versus angle made when the Magnetic
Field Sensor was rotated in the vertical plane. At what angle from horizontal is the
magnetic field maximum and negative? This is the dip angle. Is this angle above or
below horizontal? Why? How does your location on the Earth affect this?

Written by Ann Hanks