Physics Demo Number: 176

Approximate

Run Time: 5 m

Three Dimensional Magnetic Field Line Viewer

Demo Description

One may use a cube of plastic with an internal fluid containing gravitationally-suspended tiny magnetic dipoles, to obtain a three dimensional map of the magnetic field lines around a permanent magnet.

Scientific Principles

• Permanent magnets have field lines in three dimensions.

Equipment

• Plastic cube

• Cylindrical Alnico magnets

Equipment Location

• Kit (176) on [B-2-6]

Instructions

The first picture shows a parallelepiped with iron filings floating in its internal fluid.

Two strong Alnico magnets are placed in an open- to- the- air cavity in the center of the apparatus.

The second picture shows the two magnets after removal from the central cavity of the parallelepiped.

Note that  the cube has been converted for use with optics demos and will need to be replaced for anyone interested in the magnetic field demo.

Writeup created by David A. Burba

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