Solenoids

PH 203
Professor Lee Carkner
Lecture 18

Magnetic Field: Loop

Can apply the right hand

rule all the way around

Loop acts as a bar magnet

Magnetic Field: Solenoid

What happens if you
stack several loops up?

You produce a solenoid

Field inside the solenoid

is strong and uniform
(far from the ends)

Solenoid Quantified
We can write an expression for the
solenoid magnetic field:
B = 0ni
Note that:

N is the total number of turns

n = N/L

Toroid

The toroid has a radius r we

can use as an Amperian loop

(B)(2r) = 0iN
B = (0iN)/(2r)
B is not constant and depends
on where you are radially in
the toroid

Magnetic Dipole

We can parameterize the loop with a dipole

moment,
= NiA

If the loop is placed in an external magnetic field,

it will experience a torque
= B sin
where is the angle between and B

Dipole Torque
Use the right hand rule to
find the direction of

Dipoles that are not

aligned with the field will
turn until they are

Dipole Energy

U = -B cos
When aligned with the field
the energy is B

When opposite the field the

energy is +B

Field from a Dipole

A dipole is effected by external magnetic
fields and also produces its own magnetic
field

B = (0)/(2z3)
Field falls off rapidly with z

Next Time
Test 2 Friday
For Monday
Read 30.1-30.4
Problems: Ch 30, P: 2, 3, 4

A wire is carrying a current straight

towards you. What is the direction of
the magnetic field of the wire?
A)
B)
C)
D)

straight towards you

down
up
circling the wire in a clockwise
direction
E) circling the wire in a counterclockwise
direction

A horizontal wire is carrying a current

straight north. What is the direction of
the magnetic field directly above the
wire and directly below the wire?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

east, west
up, down
north, south
up, west
It depends on the magnitude of the
current

A horizontal wire is carrying a current to

your right. What direction would a
proton be deflected in if it traveling
exactly below the wire also to the
right?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

left
right
up
down
right at you