Physics Demo Number: 047

Approximate Run Time: 5 min

Electromagnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Wire in a Permanent-Magnet Field

Demo Description

A current carrying wire is vividly popped out from between the poles of a strong permanent magnet.

Scientific Principles

• An electromagnetic force is produced on a current carrying wire placed in the field  of a permanent magnet.

Equipment

• A dedicated wire holder consisting of a gray PVC- base with Lucite -posts and flexible-black-conducting wire.

• 2 batteries plus hookup wires.

• Strong permanent magnet

Equipment Location

• Kit (047) on [B-2-5].

Instructions

Use of the dedicated gray conducting wire holder allows one to quickly arrange for the wire to reside in the space between the poles of the strong permanent magnet.

When one sends current from the two batteries, hooked in series to the wire, it jumps crisply clear out of the magnet, if the current is in the correct sense in the wire. (One battery will also work.)

The orange tape tag on the wire helps improve visibility from a distance.

Writeup created by David A. Burba

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