Current-carrying coil and solenoid

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Meow12
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Coil Current Solenoid
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the differences between a current-carrying coil and a solenoid, exploring theoretical distinctions and definitions related to their shapes and configurations.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the primary difference lies in the current flowing through the coil and solenoid.
  • Others argue that, assuming the same current passes through both, the distinction is based on their shapes, with a solenoid being a helix and a coil potentially being a toroidal or planar spiral.
  • A participant questions the clarity of the definitions, noting that both structures can have the same number of turns and radius, leading to confusion about their differences.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definitions and distinctions between a coil and a solenoid, with no consensus reached on the matter.

Meow12
Messages
46
Reaction score
20
What is the difference between a current-carrying coil and a solenoid?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Baluncore said:
The difference is the current.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solenoid
Assume that the same current I passes through the coil and the solenoid. Honestly, that picture in the Wikipedia article looks like a coil to me. It seems that both a coil and a solenoid have N turns of a current-carrying wire with radius r, and I don't see the difference.
 
Meow12 said:
Assume that the same current I passes through the coil and the solenoid.
Then the only difference is the shape of the coil.
A solenoid is a helix.
A coil wound on a toroid, or as a planar spiral, is not a helix, so not a solenoid.
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Meow12

Similar threads

Undergrad Electrical characteristics of a solenoid coil
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
High School Inductive Reactance of Solenoid with Solid Metal Core With respect to frquency
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Undergrad Producing enough force with a Solenoid
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Undergrad How induction works within a coil (nuances of it)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Graduate Induced current in a coil from a constant uniform magnetic field?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School Coil that conducts direct current
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
Undergrad Visualizing fields around coils (statics and magnetostatics)
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Undergrad Magnetic field at a point along the solenoid's axis but outside the solenoid
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Question about Activating Solenoids that are facing each other
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Why is an iron cover needed for a solenoid?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K