solenoid

(noun)

A coil of wire that acts as a magnet when an electric current flows through it.

Related Terms

  • magnetic domain
  • flux
  • Curie temperature
  • electromotive force

Examples of solenoid in the following topics:

  • Solenoids, Current Loops, and Electromagnets

    • Solenoids are loops of wire around a metallic core, and can be used to create controlled magnetic fields.
    • A solenoid is a coil wound into a tightly packed helix.
    • In physics, the term solenoid refers to a long, thin loop of wire, often wrapped around a metallic core; it produces a magnetic field when an electric current is passed through it.
    • Solenoids are important because they can create controlled magnetic fields and can be used as electromagnets.
    • The term solenoid refers specifically to a coil designed to produce a uniform magnetic field in a volume of space (in which some experiment might be performed).
  • Energy Stored in a Magnetic Field

    • Let's consider Fig 1 , an example of a solenoid (ℓ: length, N: number of turns, I: current, A: cross-section area) that works as an inductor.
    • From Eq. 1, the energy stored in the magnetic field created by the solenoid is:
    • Magnetic field created by a solenoid (cross-sectional view) described using field lines.
  • Energy in a Magnetic Field

    • Magnetic field created by a solenoid (cross-sectional view) described using field lines.
  • Inductance

    • One exception is the solenoid, because it has a very uniform field inside, a nearly zero field outside, and a simple shape.
    • The self-inductance of a solenoid of cross-sectional area A and length ℓ is
    • Note that the inductance depends only on the physical characteristics of the solenoid, consistent with its definition.
  • Ferromagnets and Electromagnets

    • The coil forming the shape of a straight tube (a helix) is called a solenoid, as shown in .
  • Faraday's Law of Induction and Lenz' Law

    • It is the fundamental operating principle of transformers, inductors, and many types of electrical motors, generators, and solenoids.
  • Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields

    • Ampere's law is always valid for steady currents and can be used to calculate the B-field for certain highly symmetric situations such as an infinite wire or an infinite solenoid.
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