3. Using an electromagnet, you can make a working model of a railway signal as shown as in Fig. 10.26.
Answer: The activity can be carried out as follows:
Aim: To make a working model of a railway signal using an electromagnet.
Materials Required: Rectangular wooden board, wooden stand, cardboard signal, thread, iron nail, electromagnet.
Procedure:
Make the Model of Railway Signal:
(i) Attach the wooden stand vertically on the rectangular wooden board, pin the cardboard signal horizontally high up on the stand and then attach the thread with the iron nail to the sign as shown in the figure.
(ii) Now place the electromagnet below it below the iron nail and connect it to the electrical circuit.
Now the setup is complete as shown in Figure 1:
(iii) Now turn the switch to ‘ON’ position an observe what happens.
Observations: The electromagnet attracts the iron nail downwards and makes the tip of the nail touch the surface. This motion pulls the cardboard signal down and it is held in that position. This is shown in Figure 2.
Conclusions: The principle of magnetic effect of electric current is used to operate the cardboard railway signal. When the current is switched on the electromagnet pulls the iron nail and hence the cardboard signal moves downwards. The current needs to be switched off to restore the cardboard signal back to its original horizontal position.
“Using an electromagnet, you can make a working model of a railway signal as shown as in Fig. 10.26.” – Solved.
Related Links:
Solution to Extended Learning Problem 1
Solution to Extended Learning Problem 2
Solution to Extended Learning Problem 3
Solution to Extended Learning Problem 4
Solution to Activity 10.1
Solution to Activity 10.2
Solution to Activity 10.3
Solution to Activity 10.4
Solution to Activity 10.5
Solution to Activity 10.6
