Detecting Earth's Field
Most recent answer: 02/29/2016
Q:
Wikipedia states the Earth's magnetic field at its surface is 0.25 to 0.60 gauss, can a standard AC/DC Gaussmeter or a Magnetometer detect these static magnetic fields?
- Sarah (age 51)
Melbourne,Australia
- Sarah (age 51)
Melbourne,Australia
A:
Yes, typical commercial meters can detect those fields. For an ac meter, you'd have to do something like spin the sensor, but a dc meter works directly. One in our lab came with a little magnetic shield cup so that you could shield the sensor from the Earth's field while adjusting the zero setting. Then when you remove the cup you get a reading for the Earth's field.
Mike W.
(published on 02/29/2016)