Magnetic Fields Concept

Demonstrations in Magnetic Fields

Ten silver-cased compasses with red cardinal direction markings arranged in a circle around a black-and-red bar magnet labeled N and S on a white surface

Magnetic Field Mapping

Small compasses placed around bar magnets reveal the direction of the magnetic field at discrete points, mapping out field line patterns. Students observe the vector nature of, the dipole field …
Tangent galvanometer with large vertical circular coil on wooden base, compass with colored hemisphere markers at center, connected via red cables to a DC power supply reading 02.0V and 00.0A
Safety

Tangent Galvanometer

Demonstrates that current-carrying conductors produce magnetic fields by showing the deflection of a compass needle at the center of a coil. The deflection angle reveals the superposition of the coil's …
PASCO Scientific dip needle (Model SF-8619) with white rectangular base, black vertical post and horizontal arm supporting a transparent circular protractor with copper-colored magnetized needle

Dip Needle

Demonstrates the three-dimensional nature of Earth's magnetic field by measuring the magnetic inclination (dip angle). Students see that the field has a substantial vertical component at mid-latitudes, not just the …
Oersted's experiment apparatus: copper loop on a small stand with compass needle inside, connected via black and red leads to a white DC power supply reading 01.2 V and 08.3 A, with a terminal block on the left and a hand adjusting it
Safety

Oersted's Experiment

Recreates Oersted's 1820 discovery that electric currents produce magnetic fields. A compass needle inside a current loop deflects perpendicular to the loop plane, demonstrating the right-hand rule and the fundamental …
Magnetic field projectual (sealed clear plastic tray with iron filings and glass stirring rod) resting on a surface with two bar magnets underneath showing field patterns

Magnetic Slides

Iron filings in a sealed projectual reveal magnetic field line patterns around various bar magnet configurations. Students observe how field geometry depends on magnet arrangement and how field line density …
Bernzomatic propane torch on stand heating a copper-constantan thermocouple junction, with compass needle on stand nearby and small beaker of ice water
Safety

Seebeck Effect Oersted's Experiment

Combines the Seebeck effect with Oersted's experiment: heating a copper-constantan thermocouple junction generates a current whose magnetic field flips a compass needle 180°. Demonstrates energy conversion from thermal to electrical …