I have non of those things. I might be able to find some iron rods though.berkeman said:Do you have signal generators and oscilloscopes? Do you know the approximate inductance values of the solenoids? Do you have any ferrous rods that would fit inside of the air core solenoids?
Most 11th and 12th grade. AP Physics 2.hutchphd said:What grade level?
Oh, good idea. The students could use a compass to map out the external B-field lines and sketch them...vela said:Do you have a way to measure the magnetic field strength at various points?
I have a bunch of compasses. I guess I'll end up using them. I like qualitative labs, but these students are very bright and I like challenging them a little bit. However, I'm always short on supplies.berkeman said:Oh, good idea. The students could use a compass to map out the external B-field lines and sketch them...
Thank you for that link! I'll read through it and see if I can take anything from it.vela said:You could check out @kuruman's insight. Maybe it'll give you some ideas.
https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/how-to-model-a-magnet-falling-through-a-solenoid/
Qualitative labs can be good too. Have students predict the general shape of the emf induced when they drop a magnet through the solenoid. What happens if they drop the magnet in the other side? Does the curve flip over? Does it stay the same? Explain how they figured it out. That sort of thing.
I was thinking more along the lines of something like the Pasco Magnetic Field Sensor since the OP wanted a quantitative lab exercise.berkeman said:Oh, good idea. The students could use a compass to map out the external B-field lines and sketch them...
I've never heard of phyphox. It looks really interesting though. Thank you for that.vela said:I was thinking more along the lines of something like the Pasco Magnetic Field Sensor since the OP wanted a quantitative lab exercise.
I suppose the students could use an app like phyphox on their smartphones to measure the field and map it.
An air core solenoid is a coil of wire that is used to create a magnetic field when an electric current is passed through it. Unlike other types of solenoids, it does not have a ferromagnetic core, which means the magnetic field is created solely by the current in the coil.
Air core solenoids are commonly used in lab exercises to demonstrate the principles of electromagnetism. They can be used to show the relationship between current, magnetic field, and force, as well as how changing the number of coils or the current affects the magnetic field strength.
One major advantage of using air core solenoids in lab exercises is that they do not have a magnetic core, which means they do not retain magnetism when the current is turned off. This allows for more control and precision in experiments. Additionally, air core solenoids are typically lightweight and portable, making them easy to use and transport in a lab setting.
One limitation of air core solenoids is that they do not have as strong of a magnetic field as solenoids with ferromagnetic cores. This means that they may not be suitable for experiments that require a very strong magnetic field. Additionally, air core solenoids may be more susceptible to damage from high currents, so caution should be taken when conducting experiments with them.
Yes, air core solenoids have a variety of applications outside of lab exercises. They are often used in electronic devices such as speakers and relays, as well as in medical equipment like MRI machines. They can also be found in industrial and manufacturing settings for tasks such as controlling valves and sorting materials.