Can Adjacent Coils in a Solenoid Touch Without Affecting Its Functionality?

[bluestrat182]

To create a solenoid, conductive wire is coiled with n # of turns per unit length. To create a real solenoid can each coil touch the adjacent coil or does there have to be some non-conductive material between them? The reason I ask is it seems if they were touching that current would flow straight down the axis of the solenoid rather than around each loop, therefore not producing the desired magnetic field...or is following the loops the least path of resistance for the current and it flows that way even when adjacent coils touch?

 

[pam]

You need to insulate the wires from each other to avoid a short circuit,
and for the reason you suggest. Don't try it at home.

 

[benabean]

Also with transformers, each coil must be electrically insulated from the (iron) core or else the current would flow through the core.