Magnetic Field Due to Flow of Current in a Solenoid

A solenoid is a tightly wound helical coil of wire whose diameter is smaller than its length.

he magnetic field produced by the current-carrying solenoid is similar to a bar magnet. The magnetic field produced inside a solenoid is parallel which is similar to a bar magnet. One solenoid end behaves as a south pole, and the other end behaves as a north pole.

The strong magnetic force produced by a solenoid can be used to magnetize a piece of magnetic material. The magnet so formed is known as an electromagnet.

Direct Current

• Direct Current is the unidirectional flow of electric current. The flow of current does not change periodically. In the case of direct current, the current flows in a single direction at a steady voltage.
• Direct current power is widely used in low voltage applications such as charging batteries and light aircraft electrical systems.
• A direct current can be obtained from an alternating current using a rectifier. A rectifier contains electronic elements or electromechanical elements that allow current to flow only in one direction.
• Direct current can also be converted into alternating current using a motor-generator set or an inverter.
• The direction of the magnetic field in electric current through a straight conductor can be represented by using Right-Hand Thumb Rule.

1. Define magnetic field lines.

Michael Faraday invented magnetic field lines to see the magnetic field. A magnetic field line, also known as a force line, represents the strength and direction of a magnet’s force.

2. What is the strength of the magnetic field line?

A magnetic field in concentric circles surrounds a straight current-carrying conductor. Magnetic field lines can describe the magnetic field of a current-carrying straight wire. The current direction represents the direction of a magnetic field developed by a current-carrying conductor.

When the direction of the electric current varies, the magnetic field switches.

3. What is the direction of field lines?

The magnetic field lines of magnets are directed from the north pole to the south pole and from the south pole to the north outside the magnet.

4. State and explain the right-hand thumb rule.

Suppose you were holding a straight current-carrying conductor in your right hand, and your thumb indicates the current direction. Now wrap your finger around the conductor, so here the direction of your fingers will be the direction of the magnetic field lines. The right-hand thumb rule is also known as Maxwell’s corkscrew rule.

5. State Fleming’s right-hand rule.

Suppose you arrange your right-hand thumb, middle finger, and forefinger perpendicularly. In that case, your thumb will indicate the magnetic force’s direction, the middle finger will point in the current’s direction, and the forefinger will point in the magnetic field’s direction; this is the statement of Fleming’s right-hand rule.

6. Why don’t two magnetic lines of force intersect?

The resulting force on a north pole at every point can only be in one direction, which is why the magnetic lines of force do not intersect. However, if the two magnetic lines of force intersect, the resultant force on a north pole placed at the point of intersection can be in the opposite direction, which is not possible.

7. Define the term electromotive force.

The motion of a magnet about the coil causes an induced potential difference. This induced potential difference is known as electromotive force, and it causes an induced electric current to flow in the circuit. An induced potential difference is produced when a magnet moves towards a coil.

8. What is a solenoid?

A solenoid is an instrument made up of a coil of wire. A solenoid can be used as an electromagnet.

9. What is the significance of the current magnetic effect?

The magnetic effect of electric current is one of the essential effects of electric current in use, without which we would not be able to have motors in the modern world. A current-carrying conductor generates a magnetic field that can be visualised using force or magnetic field lines.

10. Write a brief note on the direct current.

A motor-generator set or an inverter can also be used to convert direct current to alternating current. Direct current power is typically used in low-voltage applications like battery charging and light aircraft electrical systems. The unidirectional flow of electric current is known as direct current. The current in direct current flows in a single direction at a constant voltage. The flow of current does not alter regularly. A rectifier is used to convert alternating current to direct current. A rectifier comprises electrical or electromechanical components that allow current to flow solely in one direction.

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