Combining Magnetic fields together

[mvan4310]

Hello,

I am curious as to how this works exactly. What I have a question regarding is having multiple solenoids within 2 inches of each other. Say we have a square, and on each corner is a solenoid standing up, so the corner is center on the axis going through the solenoid. All of them have the same configuration, wire length, amp current, wire, and direction of flow of electricity. Would they combine creating a larger field, or negate each other and cause problems?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Clever-Name]

Think about how the magnetic fields look around a solenoid. Draw a picture with the field lines around them. If you know how the magnetic field looks through each solenoid and around each solenoid you should have no trouble visualizing what will happen when they interact

 

[RK1992]

a magnetic field is basically a vector field. every point has a vector associated with it which tells you what force the field exerts on the particle and the direction of this force.

you want to know what happens when you add vector fields - I am sure you know what happens when you add vectors: top to tail. if at a point, magnet A exerts a force of 10N exactly to the right on an object and magnet B exerts a force of 10N exactly to the left on the object, the net force will be the sum of the vectors which is just 10N-10N = 0N. you can apply this everywhere.