Oersted experiment in Electromagnetism- Class 10 Science Experiment

Chapter Name: Electromagnetism

Activity Name: Oersted experiment in Electromagnetism

Activity Description:

Required Items:

1. Thermocole sheet
2. Two thin wooden sticks (1 cm height) with slits at the top
3. Copper wire (24 gauge)
4. 3 (or 9) volt battery
5. Key (switch)
6. Magnetic compass
7. Bar magnet

Step by Step Procedure:

1. Fix the two thin wooden sticks vertically on a thermocole sheet and create slits at the top of their ends.
2. Thread the copper wire through the slits so that it forms a circuit.
3. Set up the circuit with the 3 (or 9) volt battery, key, and copper wire connected in series.
4. Place the magnetic compass below the copper wire circuit.
5. Bring the bar magnet close to the compass needle.
6. Observe and record any deflection of the compass needle caused by the bar magnet.
7. Move the bar magnet away from the circuit and switch on the circuit.
8. Look for changes in the position of the compass needle.
9. Observe and record any changes in the position of the compass needle caused by the current-carrying wire.

Experiment Observations:

1. The compass needle gets deflected when the bar magnet is brought close to it.
2. The compass needle shows changes in position when the circuit is switched on.

Precautions:

1. Handle the electrical circuit and components carefully to avoid accidents.
2. Make sure the compass is level and not obstructed during the experiment.

Lesson Learnt from Experiment:

The experiment demonstrates that a current-carrying wire produces a magnetic field around it, and this magnetic field can interact with a magnetic compass needle, causing it to deflect. It confirms the relationship between electricity and magnetism, as discovered by Hans Christian Oersted.