Experiment

Aim: To study the factors on which the self

inductance of a coil depends by observing the effect of
this coil when put in series with a resistor in a circuit
fed by an AC source of adjustable frequency.

Apparatus Required:
I. A coil of large no. of turns,
II. AC source of adjustable Frequency,
III. An electric bulb,
IV. AC ammeter of suitable range,
V. Rheostat,
VI. A soft iron Rod,
VII. One way key,
VIII. Connecting wires

Theory:
 Loyola High School, Patna of a Coil Factors effecting Self Inductance

Self Inductance:
It is a phenomenon where growth and decay of
current is opposed due to change in magnetic
flux between diff. layers of a coil, there is a self
induced emf developed which opposes the source
emf.
∂Ø α ∂I
∂t ∂t
Or, ∂Ø = L ∂I , where L is a
∂t ∂t constant of
proportionality called Coefficient of Self
Inductance.
From Laws of Electromagnetic Induction,
E = -L ∂Ø
∂t
Thus, self induction is Self Induced EMF developed due
to rate of change of current.

Suppose we have an Inductor(solenoid) of length ‘L’

having no of turns ’N’ connected to a source where

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 Loyola High School, Patna of a Coil Factors effecting Self Inductance

current is 0 at t=0, then due to change of flux, a local

emf is developed,
Ø= L.I …..(1)
Again,
Ø=BNA,
For a Solenoid,
B= µoNI
l
Thus,
µ0 N^2IA
Ø= ……. (2)
𝑙
Equating 1 and 2,

µ0 N^2A
L=
l
Thus, co-efficient of self inductance is independent of
current, but, depends on the no. of turns as well as
length of solenoid.

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 Loyola High School, Patna of a Coil Factors effecting Self Inductance

Circuit Diagram:

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 Loyola High School, Patna of a Coil Factors effecting Self Inductance

Procedure:

 Made all the connections as shown in the circuit

diagram.
 Switched on the AC supply and adjusted the
constant current in the circuit by using the
rheostat.
 Recorded the current in AC ammeter and checked
the brightness of the bulb
 The soft iron rod was put inside the inductor and
the current passing through the ammeter was
recorded. The current and Brightness both
decreases.
 Switched off the supply and decreased the
frequency of the AC source.
 Again switched on the supply and adjusted the
current in the circuit at a constant voltage by
using a rheostat. Noted the readings of the
ammeter and checked the brightness of the bulb.
The current and the brightness decreases.

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 Loyola High School, Patna of a Coil Factors effecting Self Inductance

 Again inserted the iron rod in the core and noted

the current and observed the brightness of the bulb.
Both decrease.

Observations:

 LEAST COUNT OF AMMETER: 0.05A

 RANGE OF AMMETER: 0 - 5A
S.NO FREQUENCY OF CURRENT IN CURRENT IN
APPLIED VOLTAGE AMMETER WITHOUT AMMETER WITH
IRON ROD IRON ROD
1. 60 2 1.8
2. 50 2.5 2.3
3. 40 2.9 2.6
4. 30 3.4 3.25
5. 20 4.1 4

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 Loyola High School, Patna of a Coil Factors effecting Self Inductance

Result:
The current in the circuit decreases on
inserting the iron rod in the core at constant
frequency of applied voltage and brightness of
bulb decreases and vice versa.
The current in the circuit increases on
decreasing the frequency applied voltage and
vice versa. Hence, the brightness of bulb
increases.

Precautions:
a.The coil should have large no. of turns.
b. Current should be passed for a small time
to avoid the heating effect.
Sources of Error:
 The resistance of circuit may increase
slightly due to heating effect of current.
 There may be eddy current in soft iron
coil.

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 Loyola High School, Patna of a Coil Factors effecting Self Inductance

BIBLIOGRAPHY
COMPREHENSIVE LABORATORY MANUAL OF Physics

APC Publication

GRB PUBLICATION- PHYSICS CLASS XII

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