The Effects of a Helmholtz Coil on a Magnetic Dipole

The goal of this project was to study the behavior of a magnetic dipole (due to a permanent magnet) in the presence of an external magnetic field and an external magnetic field gradient. A Helmholtz Coil pair was used produce the external magnetic field and the external magnetic field gradient. Three situations were investigated: (1) currents flowing in the same direction in the coils, (2) currents flowing in opposite directions in the coils, and (3) current flowing in only one coil. In addition, the magnetic moment of the magnetic dipole was measured. The experimental setup and results will be described