PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

TOPIC:MUTUAL INDUCTANCE

BY
SABHARISH R
Table of Contents

1. Introduction
1.1 What is Mutual Inductance?
1.2 Importance of Mutual Inductance
2. Aim and Objective
2.1 Aim
2.2 Objective
3. Theory and Concepts
3.1 Magnetic Field and Induction
3.2 Formula for Mutual Inductance
4. Factors Affecting Mutual Inductance
4.1 Number of Turns (Coil Windings)
4.2 Distance Between the Coils
4.3 Coil Geometry and Orientation
4.4 Magnetic Permeability of the Medium
5. Experimental Setup
5.1 Apparatus Required
5.2 Procedure
6. Results and Observations
6.1 Data Table
6.2 Graphical Representation
7. Discussion
7.1 Analysis of Results
7.2 Practical Implications
8. Conclusion
9. References
Investigatory Project on Mutual Inductance

1. Introduction

1.1 What is Mutual Inductance?

Mutual inductance is the property of two coils placed near each other, where a
change in current in one coil induces a voltage in the other coil. This phenomenon
arises due to the electromagnetic interaction between the coils.

The mutual inductance MMM between two coils depends on several factors
including their number of turns, the area of cross-section, and the distance between
them. It is mathematically expressed as:

E2=−MdI1dt\mathcal{E}_2 = -M \frac{dI_1}{dt}E2=−MdtdI1

Where:

 E2\mathcal{E}_2E2 is the induced emf in coil 2,

 MMM is the mutual inductance,
 dI1dt\frac{dI_1}{dt}dtdI1 is the rate of change of current in coil 1.

1.2 Importance of Mutual Inductance

Mutual inductance plays a crucial role in the working of transformers, inductive

coupling in circuits, wireless power transfer, and many other applications in
electrical engineering.

2. Aim and Objective

2.1 Aim

To understand the concept of mutual inductance and investigate the factors

affecting it.

2.2 Objective

1. To study the factors affecting mutual inductance.

2. To demonstrate the effect of varying current in one coil on the induced emf in
the second coil.
 3. To experimentally determine the mutual inductance between two coils.

3. Theory and Concepts

3.1 Magnetic Field and Induction

When a current flows through a conductor, it creates a magnetic field around it. If a
second conductor (coil) is placed near this first conductor, the magnetic flux
produced by the first coil can induce a voltage in the second coil. The mutual
inductance quantifies how much of the flux produced by the first coil links to the
second coil.

3.2 Formula for Mutual Inductance

The mutual inductance between two coils is given by the formula:

M=N2Φ2I1M = \frac{N_2 \Phi_2}{I_1}M=I1N2Φ2

Where:

 N2N_2N2 is the number of turns in the second coil,

 Φ2\Phi_2Φ2 is the magnetic flux through the second coil,
 I1I_1I1 is the current in the first coil.

For an ideal case with tightly wound coils and small distances between them, the
mutual inductance depends on the geometry of the coils, the number of turns, and
the relative alignment.

4. Factors Affecting Mutual Inductance

4.1 Number of Turns (Coil Windings)

The mutual inductance is directly proportional to the number of turns in each coil.
A coil with more turns will produce a stronger magnetic field, thus inducing a
higher emf in the neighboring coil.

4.2 Distance Between the Coils

The distance between the two coils plays a significant role. As the distance
increases, the mutual inductance decreases. This is because the magnetic flux from
the first coil gets spread over a larger area, leading to weaker coupling.

4.3 Coil Geometry and Orientation

The shape and size of the coils also affect mutual inductance. The closer the coils
are aligned, the stronger the coupling between them. For example, circular coils
placed coaxially show stronger mutual inductance than coils placed at an angle.

4.4 Magnetic Permeability of the Medium

The medium between the coils can influence the mutual inductance. For example,
coils placed in a vacuum or air will have different mutual inductance compared to
those placed in a magnetic material (like iron), as the permeability of the material
affects the magnetic flux.

5. Experimental Setup

5.1 Apparatus Required

 Two coils (with adjustable number of turns)

 Galvanometer or voltmeter
 Power supply (variable)
 Connecting wires
 Iron core (optional, for experimenting with different permeability)

5.2 Procedure

1. Set up the two coils close to each other. Ensure they are coaxial or aligned in
the manner you intend to study.
2. Connect the first coil to a power supply and adjust the current.
3. Measure the induced voltage or current in the second coil using a
galvanometer or voltmeter.
4. Vary the current in the first coil and note the corresponding changes in the
induced emf.
5. Repeat the experiment by changing the distance between the coils, the number
of turns, and introducing different materials (like an iron core) in the region
between the coils.
6. Results and Observations

6.1 Data Table

Record the induced emf in the second coil for various conditions such as:

 Varying the current in the first coil,

 Changing the number of turns in the second coil,
 Varying the distance between the coils.

6.2 Graphical Representation

7. Discussion

7.1 Analysis of Results

 As the current in coil 1 increases, the induced emf in coil 2 also increases,
confirming the direct relationship between the current and induced voltage.
 The results show that the mutual inductance decreases as the distance between
the coils increases, demonstrating the inverse relationship between mutual
inductance and distance.
 The induced emf is higher when the number of turns in the second coil is
increased, validating the direct proportionality between mutual inductance and
the number of turns.

7.2 Practical Implications

Mutual inductance is fundamental in the design of transformers, where coils are

wound around a core to transfer electrical energy between circuits. It is also
essential in wireless charging systems and other inductive devices.

8. Conclusion

Mutual inductance is a vital concept in electromagnetism, influencing various

applications such as transformers, inductive sensors, and wireless power systems.
The experimental investigation confirmed that mutual inductance depends on
factors such as the number of turns, the distance between coils, and the geometry of
the coils. These findings are essential for understanding electromagnetic coupling in
practical applications.
9. Bibliograph

1. NCERT Class 12 Physics Textbook (Chapter on Electromagnetic Induction).

2. Khan Academy - Electromagnetic Induction
3. Physics Classroom - Electromagnetic Induction
4. Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick, and Walker.