Contextualization

Magnetic Flux is a fundamental concept in the study of Physics, particularly in the area of Electromagnetism. This term refers to the total amount of magnetic field that crosses a certain area. In addition, the study of magnetic flux is extremely important for understanding the operating principle of many devices we use in our daily lives, such as motors, power systems, and even our cell phones.

Magnetic Flux is intrinsically related to the concept of Magnetic Field, which is a description of the magnetic effect of electric currents and magnetic materials. In essence, the magnetic field at a certain point is specified by two properties: a direction and a magnitude (or intensity). Concepts such as Gauss's Law for magnetism, Ampère's Law, and the Law of Magnetic Force are fundamental for the complete understanding of the phenomenon.

Introduction

Within the field of Physics, Electromagnetism holds a prominent place. It is one of the four fundamental forces of nature and encompasses numerous natural phenomena, including electricity, magnetism, and light. Through Electromagnetism, we seek to understand the relationship between electric charges and magnetic fields.

Electromagnetism is a rich, complex field of study and of extreme importance for our daily lives. It is thanks to the principles of Electromagnetism that we have electrical energy in our homes, can communicate with someone on the other side of the world through a cell phone, and even understand how a compass works.

Practical Activity: Construction of a Homemade Galvanometer

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to allow students to understand the concept of magnetic flux and how it relates to electric current, through the construction of a homemade galvanometer. The galvanometer is an instrument that measures electric current based on the magnetic force generated on a coil immersed in a magnetic field, thus allowing a practical and direct understanding of magnetic flux and its relationships with electric current.

Detailed Project Description

Each group of students should build a homemade galvanometer and carry out a series of experiments to measure electric current, using the apparatus built and a multimeter for result comparison. From these experiments, students should prepare a detailed report, including the description of the construction process, the experimental results obtained, the analysis of these results, and the conclusions drawn from the project.

Required Materials

• Enamelled copper wire.
• Neodymium magnets.
• Cardboard.
• Aluminum foil.
• Sewing needle.
• Disposable cups.
• AA batteries.
• Resistors of different powers.
• Multimeter.

Detailed Step-by-Step

1. Wind the enamelled copper wire around the disposable cup creating a coil of about 100 turns. At the end, leave about 30 centimeters of free wire at each end.

2. Remove the enamel from the wire ends with sandpaper.

3. Attach the neodymium magnets to the sewing needle, ensuring they are evenly spaced and securely attached.

4. Place the needle with the magnets in the coil so that it can rotate freely.

5. Build a measurement scale on the cardboard that allows measuring the needle rotation. Attach the scale so that it surrounds the coil.

6. Connect the ends of the copper wire to a battery. The needle will start to move.

7. Try connecting batteries and resistors in series and parallel and observe the changes in the needle.

8. Use the multimeter to measure the current and compare it with the measurements from your galvanometer.

Project Deliverables

Written Document

Students should present a report that includes the following aspects:

1. Introduction: In this section, students should address the importance of studying magnetic flux, its relevance, and real-world applications. Additionally, they should establish the project's objective.

2. Development: Here, students should present a detailed description of the galvanometer construction process, related theoretical concepts, experiments conducted, and the comparison of results with the multimeter. They should also discuss the validity of the results obtained.

3. Conclusions: In this section, students should present the conclusions drawn from the analysis of the collected data. They can discuss the limitations of the homemade galvanometer and suggest improvements. They should also reflect on the importance of teamwork for project completion.

4. Bibliography: Here, students should list all resources used to develop their project.

The document should be submitted in digital format, with a maximum of 20 pages.

In addition to the report, students should present the homemade galvanometer constructed and demonstrate its operation in the classroom.