Laboratory Report
On Magnetic Field
Physics Lab Report
Made by:
Name: Halim, Estevania Rosaline
Section: 10 Science B2
I. Introduction
I.1. Background Theory
All magnets have two poles. One end points north, it’s called North Pole, the other end
points south, it’s called South Pole. The North Pole of one will attract the South Pole on the other
magnet. Two poles that is called “Like Poles” will repel, it’s because the pole is the same, North
Pole and North Pole, or South Pole and South Pole. While, two poles that is called “Unlike
Poles” will attract, it’s because the pole is different, north pole and south pole.
Most magnetic materials contain steel and ferrite contain iron. They are most common
magnetic element. They are called ferrous materials from Latin word “Ferrum”, which means
iron. Magnetic materials are classified as hard or soft. A hard magnetic material such as hard
steel is difficult to magnetize and also difficult to demagnetize. While soft magnetic material
such as soft iron can be magnetized and demagnetized easily.
Magnetic material, usually are in an unmagnetised state, so they must be magnetized. In
magnetization, we have two methods by using a piece of the material stroked with a permanent
magnet. So, the material will be magnetized by stroking the material consistently from one end
to another end. Magnetization can also be done by placing the material in a strong magnetic
field, produced by an electromagnet. An electromagnet consists of a coil of wire. It’s connected
to a battery or power supply to provide a steady direct current (d.c.) flows through it. This
process produces a magnetic field inside the coil, and the field magnetizes the material. On the
other hand, there are 4 methods of demagnetized by hammering the magnet, will lose its
magnetism. By placing the magnet in the field of an electromagnet that is connected to an
alternating current (a.c.) supply will gradually reduce the current to zero. By heating the magnet
will also lose the magnetism if its temperature goes above a certain limit. And also, by improper
storage will lose magnetism of a magnet if it’s put randomly and improperly.
A permanent magnet can attract or repel another permanent magnet, but it can also attract
the unmagnetised magnetic materials. This is called induced magnetism. For example, magnet
can attract steel pins or paper clip, when the magnet is removed, the pin will return to its state or
may retain small amount magnetism.
A magnet affects any stuff around that is nearby. This points to the concept of magnetic
field. Magnetic field has both strength and direction. We can conclude that there is a magnetic
field around the magnet. We can represent the magnetic field by using a single bar magnet and
iron fillings. Then the iron fillings will show the magnetic fields by its pattern. The iron fillings
will cluster more strongly around the two poles, where the field is the strongest. The pattern will
shows two things. First is the direction, that the field lines always come out from North Pole, and
go in to south poles. The second is the strength, that the fields that close together prove that there
is a strongest field. Another method of doing this is by using a small compass, which is called
plotting compass.
Another method of making a magnet is by using an electromagnet. Electromagnet is
made from coil of copper wire that is called Solenoid. There is a magnetic field around the coil.
Copper wire is often used, because of its low resistance, and also doesn’t have to be made from
magnetic materials. The magnetic field around a solenoid is similar to the magnetic field around
a bar magnet. The poles are also the same, one end of the coil is a North Pole and the other end is
South Pole.
There are three ways to increase the strength of an electromagnet. The first one is, by
increasing the current flowing through it. The second way is, by increasing the turns of wire in
the coil, it will concentrate the field. And the last is, by add a soft iron core. Usage example of
electromagnet is Electromagnetic Cranes. They are using the electromagnet to move large pieces
of metal and piles of scrap around in scrapyard. The current is switched on to energize the
magnet and pick up the scrap metal. When it has been moved to the correct position, the
electromagnet is switched off and the metals are released. Electromagnets are also used in
electric doorbells, loudspeakers, electric motors, relays, and transformers.
I.2. Purposes
The purposes are to observe the magnetic field around magnet bar, by using the iron
fillings. To proves that the magnetic fields are exist. And also, we can observe the direction and
the pattern.
Also to prove that all the fields always go in to the South Pole and come out from the
North Pole, by using the plotting compass.
II. Procedures
II.1. Materials
Plotting field lines using iron fillings:
Magnet bars
Iron fillings
Plain paper or clear plastic
Plotting field lines using a plotting compass:
Magnet bars
Plotting compass
II.2. Methods
II.2.1. Iron Fillings
1) Magnet bars are arranged on the plain paper or the clear plastic.
2) Iron fillings are sprink over the magnet until it moves and shown the pattern of
the magnetic fields.
3) The changes are illustrated.
II.2.2. Plotting Compass
1) The magnet bar is set on the table.
2) The compass is placed next to the magnet.
3) The compass is moved to the South Pole and North Pole of the magnet.
4) The compass also moved to right side and left side of the magnet.
5) The differences are written down.
III. Result and Explanation
III.1. Magnetic Field Shown by Iron Fillings
The field lines are represented the magnetic field around the bar of magnet. It has shown
that the South Pole and the North Pole has the strongest magnetic field, because there are the
most densely packed place of the iron fillings.
Figure 3.1 Magnetic field around two magnet bars.
The attraction between two opposite magnetic poles shows up in their field pattern.
Through this observation, it proves where the strongest magnetic fields are located when the
magnets are attracted to each other. And it also shows that the iron fillings always go to the
South Pole direction.
Figure 3.2 Magnetic field around two unlike poles.
The field patterns of two like poles are repelling each other. The iron fillings also shown
the strongest magnetic fields parts.
Figure 3.3 Magnetic field around two like poles.
The field patterns of two unlike poles in U shaped magnet shows that almost all of the
iron fillings are compressed in the North Pole and South Pole, but they cannot attract each other.
Figure 3.4 Magnetic field around the U shaped magnet.
III.2. Magnetic Field Shown by Plotted Compass
The compass shows the magnetic field by its arrow. The arrow is following the magnetic
fields direction, going out from North pole, and come in to South pole.
Figure 3.5 Magnetic field around a magnet bar, shown by compass.
IV. Conclusion
The magnetic field can be represented by iron fillings. By using the iron fillings, the
direction of the magnetic fields and its strength can be shown. The pattern in iron fillings that
appears more compressed represents a stronger magnetic field.
Another method to representing the magnetic field is by using a compass. The compass
will show the magnetic field through its arrow. The arrow will follow the direction of the
magnetic fields, and it also shows which magnetic fields come and go from which poles.
V. References
Sang, D. (2014). Cambridge IGCSE Physics Coursebook (Second edition). Cambridge
Unversity Press, Cambridge.
