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Explanation of how to detect a magnetic field - Succeed in Physical Science. Also refer to physics, compass, iron filings, gaussmeter, gauss, Earth, forces, poles, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions Detection of a Magnetic Fieldby Ron Kurtus (23 May 2004) Any source of magnetism such as a magnet or electromagnet is surrounded by a magnetic field. Information about this field can be retrieved from various devices. A compass can detect a magnetic field. The shape of the magnetic field can be demonstrated with iron filings. A gaussmeter will detect a field and indicate its strength, measured in gauss units. Questions you may have include:
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson. Useful tools: Metric-English Conversion | Scientific Calculator. CompassA compass is simply a thin magnet or magnetized iron needle balanced on a pivot. It can be used to detect small magnetic fields. The needle will rotate to point toward the opposite pole of a magnet. It can be very sensitive to small magnetic fields. Using a compass to show the magnetic fieldWhen you bring a compass near an item suspected of being magnetized or having a magnetic field, the compass will turn and point toward the appropriate pole of the object.
Compass needle attracted to magnet's N pole A famous experiment showed that a wire with DC electric current running through it created a magnetic field. When the electricity was turned on, a nearby compass moved to indicate a magnetic field was present. Earth is a huge magnetThe compass was used to discover that the Earth is a huge magnet. The North-seeking pole of the compass needle will always point toward the Earth's North magnetic pole. Iron filingsBy spreading fine iron filings or dust on a piece of paper laid on top of a magnet, you can see the outline of the magnetic lines of force or the magnetic field. The picture below
Iron filings and compasses show the shape and direction of the magnetic field This experiment also shows that magnetism will act through many materials, such as paper. Would the experiment work if a sheet of iron were used to sprinkle the filings? What about aluminum foil? GaussmeterA gaussmeter is used to measure the strength of a magnetic field. They use a electronic chip called a Hall effect device, which gives off a tiny electrical current when exposed to a magnetic field. The current is amplified with electronic circuitry and a meter shows the number of gauss (the units of magnetic field strength). SummaryYou can detect a magnetic field with a compass, iron filings, or a gaussmeter. The strength of a magnetic field is measured in gauss units. Follow you personal compass toward success ResourcesThe following resources provide information on this subject: WebsitesBuild your own Gaussmeter - At-home instructions Low-cost Gaussmeter - Not that cheap, but you can see information about a gaussmeter BooksMiscellaneousMini-quiz to check your understanding1. How does a compass aid in navigation? 2. What can iron filings show? 3. What does a gaussmeter measure? If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Physical Science. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again. What do you think?Do you have any questions, comments, or opinions on this subject? If so, send an email with your feedback. We will try to get back to you as soon as possible. Share linkFeel free to establish a link from your website to pages in this site. 
Or use our form to send this link to yourself or a friend. Students and researchersThe Web address of this page is Please include it as a reference in your report, document, or thesis. Where can you go from here?
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