Generator Experiment

Magnet moves back and forth inside the coil

 

Faraday’s Law states that changing magnetic fluxes through coiled wires generate electricity (currents and voltage).   The greater is the change in magnetic flux, the greater are the currents and voltages.

In our lab today, we tested this claim by conducting an experiment that involved using a transparent flashlight with metal could at the center and a bullet-like magnet that when shaken, travelled back and forth between the coil. This flashlight acted as our generator. By shaking the generator, we made the magnet travel through the wire coils thus conducting voltage; the more frequent the magnet travelled, the more voltage it conducted.

 

 

Ideally, there should be an almost perfect positive correlation between the number of shakes and the energy generated. However, there were a few discrepancies. 1st, some of the shakes were sone very quickly therefore human error in counting while shaking simultaneously should be taken into account. Also, the shakes were not done with equal power; for example, if you were on your 4th trial shake and the shaking was fast, you’re more likely to be a little tired and not shake as enthusiastically as you would have on your first trial.  However, the chart does show a positive correlation and that is what is important in understanding how the generator works in terms of generating voltage

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