EM-FOR: simple and low-cost force on a straight current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field experimental kit

Abstract

In this study, we design and construct a low-cost experimental kit for the force on a straight current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field experiment, namely EM-FOR. The kit consists of several pairs of rectangular-shaped permanent magnets with different polarities facing each other on a U-shaped aluminium casing as the source of the magnetic field, a straight copper wire at the centre between the two magnets as the electrical conductor, conductor rings and connecting wires to connect conductor and electrical source, and an electronic balance to measure the magnitude and to determine the direction of the force on a straight current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field. The design of the EM-FOR experimental kit was validated by determining the magnitude and direction of the force on a straight current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field for normal and reverse connections to a power supply. The constructed kit can be utilized for three experiments: the effects of applied current, conductor length and electromagnetic field strength on the force on a straight current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field.