NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING

SCIENCE FACULTY

PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL OF PHYSICS

Intermediate Laboratory Physics

Final Presentation: Earth Magnetic Field

Students: Group 6

I Lhesly Vargas Salas

I Luis Sahua Villegas

Professors:

I Carmen Eyzaguirre
I Hector Loro

December, 2017

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I. ABSTRACT

In this experiment, the Earths magnetic field was determined using the Helmholtz coil
arrangement and a Hall effect probe, the Hall effect consists in the formation of a voltage
at the lateral ends of a conductor through which a current flows, after the application of
a magnetic field transverse to the direction of said current. . First the region in which
the magnetic field produced by the coils was considered homogeneous was determined, a
spherical region of radius equivalent to half the radius of the coils was obtained. Then
the calibration factor of the coils was experimentally estimated, K = (0.6637 0.0048)
was obtained.
With this value and a compass, the horizontal component of the Earths magnetic field
was experimentally determined, obtaining hBE = (24.5402 0.0371)T. Finally, by
means of a change in the reference system in the compass, the vertical component of
the Earths magnetic field was found, it was calculated in vBE = (1.5019 0.4316)T.
Once both components were obtained, the resultant of the terrestrial magnetic field
BE = (24.5861 0.0634)T was calculated, which was compared with the expected value
BEexpect = (25.108 0.152)T, and was obtained as a percentage of error: 2.08 %.

Key words: Earths magnetic field, Helmholtz coils, Hall effect, calibration factor.

II. INTRODUCTION

The geomagnetic field results from the combination of three fields, each with its respective
source that generates it: The main field (97 - 99%), generated by electrical currents in
the outer core of the Earth around the solid core of iron; Bark field (1 - 2%), generated
by the magnetized rocks of the Earths crust and the External Field (1 - 2%), gener-
ated by the ionized particles located in the atmospheric layer and superior of the Earth.
It occupies an area around the Earth called magnetosphere, it is the space that is under
the action of the magnetic field. This zone is defined and configured by the force lines
of the geomagnetic field (Faradays Law). Where they converge and are closer together,
the magnetic force is greater (poles) and where they separate is weaker (Ecuador). The
lines of force are the result of the sources that originate the Earths magnetic field and
are modeled by the solar wind (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Earths magnetic field modeled by the solar wind.

The intensity of the earths magnetic field varies between 25.00 nT (in Ecuador) and 65.00

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nT (in the poles). The angle between the components of the magnetic field (vertical and
horizontal) varies when traveling from pole to pole (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Variation of the angle between the horizontal and vertical components.

The main objective of the experiment is to determine the intensity of the magnetic field
of the earth, finding first the horizontal component, using this result is the vertical com-
ponent, to finally calculate the intensity of the resulting magnetic field.

According to the Radio observatory of Jicamarca, in a report on the displacement of the

magnetic equator, the following dependencies were obtained between the horizontal and
vertical components of the geomagnetic field, and the angle between them with time:

H(t) = 148945.1321 61.4444 t (1)

V (t) = 127507.5979 63.3264 t (2)
D(T ) = 309.0547 0.1546 t (3)

t: years

Therefore, our expected values for the year 2017 are:

H = hBE = 24.981T
V = vBE = 0.269T
D = 2.90

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III. EQUIPMENT
1) Pair of coils from Helmholtz - PHYWE

Figure 3: Helmholtz coils arrangement (left), axis (right).

Two identical coils each on standbase with numbered 4 mm sockets
Removable busbars with holder for narrow beam tube.
Coils can be used individually and at any distance.
Coil diameter: 400 mm
Number of windings: each coil 154
Coil resistance: 2.1 Ohm
Max. current per coil: 5 A
Max. flux density (5 A): 3.5 mT

2) Digital multimeter - PeackTech 2010 DMM

(For DC current measurements: (I I), I = (0.8%I + 0.003))
3) Hall effect axial probe (13610-01) - PHYWE
(Length = 30 cm)
4) Square metal base
5) Compact tube with square cross section
6) Right angle handle
7) Ruler (60 cm)
8) About 6 banana cables
9) Compass with analog goniometer
10) Teslameter, digital

Figure 4: Front view of the Teslameter, digital.

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 The teslameter is suitable for measuring magnetic flux density (induction) B accu-
rately. The axial Hall probe is specially designed for measuring fields oriented axially
in relation to its rod-shaped stem. It is suitable por measuring fields inside coils for
instance. The stem is 30 cm long to allow measurements to be taken easily even in
the middle of long coils. The meter has 3 switchable measuring ranges:
0 to 20 mT (accuracy 0.01 mT)
0 to 100 mT (accuracy 0.1 mT)
0 to 1000 mT (accuracy 1 mT)
Fig. 5 shows the teslameter with the controls and functional elements on the front
panel:
1 Input socket for connecting the hall probes
2 Adjusting screw for rough zeroing.
3 Stepping switch for selecting the measuring range.
4 Changeover switch for selecting the ALTERNATING FIELD and DIRECT
FIELD measurement modes.
5 Digital display for displaying the values measured. 3 digit display with sign for
the direction of the field and decimal point.
6 Adjusting knob for fine zeroing
7 Output for connecting an external measuring instrument, e.g. a recorder. Output
voltage: 1 mV per digit.
Using the axial probe: The component of the magnetic induction in the di-
rection of the axis of the probe is measured with the axial probe. The measuring
point is right at the end of the stem. The direction of direct fields can also be
detected: if the field is directed towards the handle of the probe (e.g. in front
of the north pole of a bar magnet) the value displayed is positive, whereas it is
negative when the field is in the opposite direction.
TECHNICAL DATA (TYPICAL FOR 25 C)
Operating temperature range 5...40 C
Relative humidity < 80%
Measuring range 105 to 1 T
Indicating range 105 to 2 T
Accuracy Direct field 2%
Material of the Hallsensors GaAs, monocrystalline
11) Power supply, universal

Fig. 5: Power supply, universal 13500.93.

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1 Adjusting knob Direct voltage
for stepless setting of the electronically controlled (stabilized) direct voltage from 0
to 18 V. When the current intensity withdrawn is smaller than the limiting value
for the current set with adjusting knob (3), i.e. when display (4) does not light up,
then the set voltage is subject to control.
2 Output, 0...18 V-/5 A
Pair of 4 mm sockets for withdrawal of the direct voltage set with adjusting knob
(1) (positive terminal is red, negative terminal is blue). The output voltage is un-
grounded and floating.
3 Adjusting knob Current limitation
for stepless setting of a maximum current intensity of approx. 50 mA to 5 A. Con-
stant current mode requires that the load resistance is smaller than the quotient of
the voltage set with adjusting knob (5) and the limiting value for the current set
with (3).
4 Display Constant current mode
lights up when the limiting value for the current set with adjusting knob (3) is
reached. In this case, the voltage is no longer controlled, but depends on the load
resistance.
5 Socket
With connection to the line made, this is connected to the earthed earth lead.
6 Socket ring
for selection of the voltage step for the alternating voltage withdrawable at output
(7). The selection is made by plugging a special short-circuiting plug into the central
socket and the appropriate socket in the ring.
7 Output, 2...15 V /max. 5 A.
Pair of 4 mm sockets for withdrawal of an alternating voltage; the selection of the
size of the voltage is made by means of socket ring (6). This output is galvanically
separated from the mains, ungrounded and protected by an overload circuit breaker.
8 Overload circuit breaker
with thermal triggering for protection of alternating volt-age output (7).
9 On/off switch (at the back of the instrument).
10 On/off indicator light.
TECHNICAL DATA (Direct Voltage Part)
Output voltage regulated
Adjustment range U = 0.05...18 V
Deviation from desired value
at 230 V +6%/-10% U 6 10 mV
Ripple 6 5 mV
Internal resistance Ri 6 20 m
Current limit, continuously adjustable I = 0.05...5 A
Housing dimensions (mm) 230 x 236 x 168 (W, D, H)
Weight approx. 7.9 Kg

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IV. RESULTS

Determination of the region in which the magnetic field produced by the

Helmholtz coils remains constant:
Table 1: Magnetic field produced by the Helmholtz coils along the Z axis (Bz)
versus the position on the Z axis (Z), for different values of the distance (a)
between the coils. R : coils radius.
a=R a=R/2 a= 2R
Z(mm) Z(mm) Bz(mT) Bz(mT) Bz(mT) Bz(mT) Bz(mT) Bz(mT)
-240 0.5 - - - - 1.65 0.033
-230 0.5 - - - - 1.71 0.0342
-220 0.5 - - - - 1.75 0.035
-210 0.5 - - - - 1.78 0.0356
-200 0.5 1.41 0.0282 1.16 0.0232 1.8 0.036
-190 0.5 1.5 0.03 1.24 0.0248 1.8 0.036
-180 0.5 1.61 0.0322 1.43 0.0286 1.79 0.0358
-170 0.5 1.7 0.034 1.54 0.0308 1.79 0.0358
-160 0.5 1.78 0.0356 1.63 0.0326 1.75 0.035
-150 0.5 1.87 0.0374 1.74 0.0348 1.72 0.0344
-140 0.5 1.95 0.039 1.86 0.0372 1.67 0.0334
-130 0.5 2.03 0.0406 1.98 0.0396 1.63 0.0326
-120 0.5 2.09 0.0418 2.11 0.0422 1.58 0.0316
-110 0.5 2.16 0.0432 2.23 0.0446 1.53 0.0306
-100 0.5 2.2 0.044 2.34 0.0468 1.47 0.0294
-90 0.5 2.24 0.0448 2.45 0.049 1.42 0.0284
-80 0.5 2.27 0.0454 2.55 0.051 1.37 0.0274
-70 0.5 2.29 0.0458 2.65 0.053 1.33 0.0266
-60 0.5 2.31 0.0462 2.75 0.055 1.28 0.0256
-50 0.5 2.32 0.0464 2.82 0.0564 1.25 0.025
-40 0.5 2.33 0.0466 2.89 0.0578 1.22 0.0244
-30 0.5 2.33 0.0466 2.94 0.0588 1.19 0.0238
-20 0.5 2.34 0.0468 2.98 0.0596 1.18 0.0236
-10 0.5 2.34 0.0468 3.01 0.0602 1.18 0.0236
0 0.5 2.34 0.0468 3.02 0.0604 1.16 0.0232
10 0.5 2.34 0.0468 3 0.06 1.16 0.0232
20 0.5 2.34 0.0468 2.99 0.0598 1.16 0.0232
30 0.5 2.34 0.0468 2.95 0.059 1.17 0.0234
40 0.5 2.34 0.0468 2.9 0.058 1.19 0.0238
50 0.5 2.32 0.0464 2.83 0.0566 1.21 0.0242
60 0.5 2.31 0.0462 2.75 0.055 1.24 0.0248
70 0.5 2.29 0.0458 2.67 0.0534 1.27 0.0254
80 0.5 2.27 0.0454 2.56 0.0512 1.32 0.0264
90 0.5 2.25 0.045 2.44 0.0488 1.36 0.0272
100 0.5 2.19 0.0438 2.32 0.0464 1.41 0.0282
110 0.5 2.14 0.0428 2.2 0.044 1.45 0.029
120 0.5 2.09 0.0418 2.09 0.0418 1.52 0.0304
130 0.5 2.02 0.0404 1.95 0.039 1.57 0.0314
140 0.5 1.94 0.0388 1.83 0.0366 1.62 0.0324
150 0.5 1.86 0.0372 1.71 0.0342 1.67 0.0334
160 0.5 1.76 0.0352 1.59 0.0318 1.72 0.0344
170 0.5 1.68 0.0336 1.49 0.0298 1.75 0.035
180 0.5 1.59 0.0318 1.38 0.0276 1.79 0.0358
190 0.5 1.51 0.0302 1.29 0.0258 1.79 0.0358
200 0.5 1.43 0.0286 1.2 0.024 1.8 0.036
210 0.5 - - - - 1.78 0.0356
220 0.5 - - - - 1.76 0.0352
230 0.5 - - - - 1.73 0.0346
240 0.5 - - - - 1.69 0.0338

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Figure 6: Graph corresponding to the table 1.

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 r=0 mm r=100 mm r=140 mm r=160 mm
Z(mm) Z(mm) Bz(mT) Bz(mT) Bz(mT) Bz(mT) Bz(mT) Bz(mT) Bz(mT) Bz(mT)
0 0.5 2.34 0.0468 2.27 0.0454 2.03 0.0406 1.79 0.0358
10 0.5 2.34 0.0468 2.28 0.0456 2.03 0.0406 1.83 0.0366
20 0.5 2.34 0.0468 2.3 0.046 2.08 0.0416 1.89 0.0378
30 0.5 2.34 0.0468 2.33 0.0466 2.17 0.0434 1.99 0.0398
40 0.5 2.34 0.0468 2.35 0.047 2.31 0.0462 2.16 0.0432
50 0.5 2.32 0.0464 2.38 0.0476 2.46 0.0492 2.37 0.0474
60 0.5 2.31 0.0462 2.43 0.0486 2.62 0.0524 2.76 0.0552
70 0.5 2.29 0.0458 2.48 0.0496 2.87 0.0574 3 0.06
80 0.5 2.26 0.0452 2.54 0.0508 3 0.06 3.5 0.07

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90 0.5 2.24 0.0448 2.54 0.0508 3.09 0.0618 3.79 0.0758
100 0.5 2.2 0.044 2.49 0.0498 3.14 0.0628 3.72 0.0744
110 0.5 2.13 0.0426 2.42 0.0484 3 0.06 3.51 0.0702
120 0.5 2.08 0.0416 2.33 0.0466 2.79 0.0558 3.12 0.0624
130 0.5 2.01 0.0402 2.23 0.0446 2.57 0.0514 2.67 0.0534
140 0.5 1.96 0.0392 2.09 0.0418 2.34 0.0468 2.36 0.0472
150 0.5 1.87 0.0374 1.83 0.0366 2.11 0.0422 2.06 0.0412
160 0.5 1.8 0.036 1.7 0.034 1.88 0.0376 1.79 0.0358
170 0.5 1.7 0.034 1.6 0.032 1.65 0.033 1.6 0.032
(r: position of the probe on the r axis) .

180 0.5 1.61 0.0322 1.48 0.0296 1.49 0.0298 1.42 0.0284
190 0.5 1.52 0.0304 1.36 0.0272 1.36 0.0272 1.28 0.0256
200 0.5 1.43 0.0286 1.26 0.0252 1.24 0.0248 1.16 0.0232
Table 2: Magnetic field produced by the Helmholtz coils along the Z axis (Bz)
versus the position of the probe on the Z axis (Z), for each corresponding r value
Figure 7: Graph corresponding to the table 2.

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 r = 0 mm r= 100 mm r = 140 mm r = 160 mm
Z(mm) Z Bz(mT) Bz Bz(mT) Bz Bz(mT) Bz Bz(mT) Bz
0 0.5 0.05 0.001 0.01 0.0002 -0.02 0.0004 -0.17 0.0034
10 0.5 0.06 0.0012 0.01 0.0002 -0.18 0.0036 -0.3 0.006
20 0.5 0.07 0.0014 -0.01 0.0002 -0.27 0.0054 -0.44 0.0088
30 0.5 0.05 0.001 -0.02 0.0004 -0.32 0.0064 -0.6 0.012
40 0.5 0.05 0.001 -0.04 0.0008 -0.34 0.0068 -0.73 0.0146
50 0.5 0.06 0.0012 -0.1 0.002 -0.32 0.0064 -0.81 0.0162
60 0.5 0.04 0.0008 0.03 0.0006 -0.23 0.0046 -0.8 0.016
70 0.5 0.03 0.0006 0.09 0.0018 -0.05 0.001 -0.62 0.0124

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80 0.5 0.05 0.001 0.16 0.0032 0.08 0.0016 -0.28 0.0056
110 0.5 0.04 0.0008 0.4 0.008 0.68 0.0136 1.32 0.0264
120 0.5 0.04 0.0008 0.46 0.0092 0.82 0.0164 1.48 0.0296
130 0.5 0.06 0.0012 0.52 0.0104 0.91 0.0182 1.51 0.0302
140 0.5 0.05 0.001 0.54 0.0108 0.94 0.0188 1.46 0.0292
150 0.5 0.04 0.0008 0.57 0.0114 0.94 0.0188 1.37 0.0274
160 0.5 0.05 0.001 0.58 0.0116 0.93 0.0186 1.24 0.0248
between the coils. R : coils radius.

170 0.5 0.05 0.001 0.55 0.011 0.86 0.0172 1.12 0.0224
180 0.5 0.06 0.0012 0.5 0.01 0.82 0.0164 1 0.02
190 0.5 0.05 0.001 0.53 0.0106 0.73 0.0146 0.92 0.0184
200 0.5 0.05 0.001 0.53 0.0106 0.68 0.0136 0.8 0.016
versus the position on the Z axis (Z), for different values of the distance (a)
Table 3: Magnetic field produced by the Helmholtz coils along the Z axis (Bz)
Figure 8: Graph corresponding to the table 3.

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 Table 4: Magnetic field for each coil along the radial axis r versus the position of
the probe on the r axis. With z = 0.

r (mm) r Br (mT) - Coil 1 Br - Coil 1 Br(mT) - Coil 2 Br - Coil 2

0 0.5 0 0.01 -0.01 0.0002
20 0.5 0.04 0.0008 -0.04 0.0008
40 0.5 0.12 0.0024 -0.11 0.0022
60 0.5 0.19 0.0038 -0.18 0.0036
80 0.5 0.28 0.0056 -0.29 0.0058
100 0.5 0.39 0.0078 -0.39 0.0078
120 0.5 0.5 0.01 -0.5 0.01
140 0.5 0.65 0.013 -0.61 0.0122
160 0.5 0.76 0.0152 -0.7 0.014
180 0.5 0.85 0.017 -0.81 0.0162
200 0.5 0.92 0.0184 -0.79 0.0158
220 0.5 0.89 0.0178 -0.73 0.0146
240 0.5 0.73 0.0146 -0.67 0.0134
260 0.5 0.6 0.012 -0.51 0.0102
280 0.5 0.48 0.0096 -0.43 0.0086
300 0.5 0.34 0.0068 -0.33 0.0066
320 0.5 0.23 0.0046 -0.25 0.005
340 0.5 0.15 0.003 -0.19 0.0038

Figure 9: Graph corresponding to the table 4.

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 Determination of the calibration factor (K). The calibration factor was deter-
mined from the dependence between the magnetic field generated by the coils (Bh)
in the center of the axes and the current (I) applied to them. It was calculated by
minimum squares as the slope of the graph.

BH = K IH (4)

Table 5: Determination of K

r (mm) r Br (mT) - Coil 1 Br - Coil 1 Br(mT) - Coil 2 Br - Coil 2

0 0.5 0 0.01 -0.01 0.0002
20 0.5 0.04 0.0008 -0.04 0.0008
40 0.5 0.12 0.0024 -0.11 0.0022
60 0.5 0.19 0.0038 -0.18 0.0036
80 0.5 0.28 0.0056 -0.29 0.0058
100 0.5 0.39 0.0078 -0.39 0.0078
120 0.5 0.5 0.01 -0.5 0.01
140 0.5 0.65 0.013 -0.61 0.0122
160 0.5 0.76 0.0152 -0.7 0.014
180 0.5 0.85 0.017 -0.81 0.0162
200 0.5 0.92 0.0184 -0.79 0.0158
220 0.5 0.89 0.0178 -0.73 0.0146
240 0.5 0.73 0.0146 -0.67 0.0134
260 0.5 0.6 0.012 -0.51 0.0102
280 0.5 0.48 0.0096 -0.43 0.0086
300 0.5 0.34 0.0068 -0.33 0.0066
320 0.5 0.23 0.0046 -0.25 0.005
340 0.5 0.15 0.003 -0.19 0.0038

Figure 10: Graph corresponding to the table 5.

By adjusting the least squares, you get the calibration factor: K = 0.6638 0.0048

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 Determination of the horizontal component of the Earths magnetic field
(hBE ).
The horizontal component was determined by locating the r axis of the north-south
direction. Thus, by varying the intensity of the current through the coils, the angle
() of a compass whose axis of rotation was located in the co-ordinate center of the
coils was measured.
The horizontal component was calculated as the slope of the graph IK versus tan

IK = hBE tan (5)

Table 6: Determination of K

I(A) I(A) ( ) ( ) tan

0.04 0.01008 52 1 1.2799
0.05 0.0101 55 1 1.4281
0.06 0.01012 60 1 1.7321
0.07 0.01014 63 1 1.9626
0.08 0.01016 66 1 2.2460
0.09 0.01018 69 1 2.6050
0.1 0.0102 71 1 2.9042
0.11 0.01022 72 1 3.0776
0.12 0.01024 74 1 3.4874
0.13 0.01026 75 1 3.7320
0.14 0.01028 76 1 4.0107
0.15 0.0103 77 1 4.3314
0.16 0.01032 78 1 4.7046
0.18 0.01034 79 1 5.1445
0.2 0.01036 80 1 5.6712
0.22 0.01038 81 1 6.3137

Figure 11: Graph corresponding to the table 6

15
 From the slope of the previous graph, the magnitude of the horizontal component
of the geomagnetic field was obtained: hBE = (23.687 0.0371)T.
Determination of the vertical component of the geomagnetic field (vBE ).
vBE
= tan (6)
hBE
: Angle between the vertical and horizontal components.
The vertical component of the geomagnetic field was determined using only the
compass, rotating 90 clockwise, the angle that the needle descends was measured;
then it was turned 180 counterclockwise and a second angle was measured. It was
obtained:
First Angle: 1 = 4 , 1 = 0.5
Second Angle: 2 = 3 , 2 = 0.5
Average Angle: = 3.5 0.5
Using the equation 6, it was obtained: vBE = (1.5019 0.4316)T

Finally, the intensity of the Earths magnetic field in the laboratory is calcu-
lated as: q
BE = vBE2 + hBE2 (7)

BE = (24.5861 0.0634)T

V. CONCLUSIONS

1)

VI. BIBLIOGRAPHY

1) Chapter 13: Magnetostatics

The Feynman lectures on Physics. Volume 2. Mainly Electromagnetism and matter.
Richard Feynman. Addison-Wesley Iberoamerican.
2) Informe sobre el desplazamiento del ecuador magnetico.
Radio observatorio de Jicamarca.
Instituto geofsico del Peru.

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