Solenoid Field
Physics: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 7.2.2
Magnetic Field around a Coil of Wire
A solenoid is a loop of wire coiled into a cylindrical (cylinder like) shape. The magnetic field lines for a solenoid are drawn below:
Inside the coil
- Inside the coil of wire, the field lines are evenly spaced, parallel, straight lines.
Outside
- Outside of the coil of wire, the field lines look like the field lines around a bar magnet, with a clear north and south pole (remember that magnetic field lines around a magnet go from North to South).
Strong and uniform
- The magnetic field is strong and uniform. This means that the magnetic field is of the same strength and in the same direction at every point.
Test yourself on Solenoid Field
How are field lines drawn inside a solenoid?