How does one calculate the flux density B at end of solenoid?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the magnetic flux density B at the end of a solenoid, the equation B = μnI is used, where μ is the permeability of free space, n is the number of turns per unit length, and I is the current. The user calculated B as 144π × 10^-5 T but found this answer was not among the provided options. It was noted that the equation gives the flux density at the midpoint of the solenoid, and the value at the end is typically half of that calculated. The discussion emphasized the importance of specifying the length of the solenoid and suggested using the Biot-Savart law for more accurate calculations at the ends. The correct answer may not be listed among the options provided.
Nile Anderson
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Homework Statement


I came across a recent problem that asked me to calculate the flux density at the end of a solenoid. I was given the current 3 A , the number of turns per unit length , 12 cm-1 and the using the permeability of free space as 4π × 10^-7

Homework Equations


The equation I used for this is B=μnI , where n is the number of turns per unit length ( in per meter) and I current.

The Attempt at a Solution


I got 144π × 10^-5, this however was not an option and so I was wondering if there were some other factor I had to account for as it is the end of the coil and not for the midpoint for which the equation is defined.
 
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You need to show your working so helpers can first discount that you may have made a simple mistake in the mathematics.
 
NascentOxygen said:
You need to show your working so helpers can first discount that you may have made a simple mistake in the mathematics.
With all due respect sir, I have no problems using a calculate but ok , never the less:
You need to convert the 12 per cm to per m which gives you 12/10^-2=1200
B= 4π×10-7 ×1200 × 3 = 144π×10-5
 
Nile Anderson said:
I got 144π × 10^-5, this however was not an option and so I was wondering if there were some other factor I had to account for as it is the end of the coil and not for the midpoint for which the equation is defined.
Presumably this is a multiple choice style of question?

Can you quote the problem exactly along with the selection of answers?

It sometimes happens that a problem is "refreshed" with a slight change in values in order to make it "new" (so last year's answers can't be copied). Occasionally the "refresh" is imperfect: either the new answer is not inserted in the list of answers or the person making the change made an error in calculation...
 
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B=µnI gives the flux density midway between the two ends of the solenoid.

Follow the link in this thread [/color] to obtain the formula for B near the end of a solenoid. If I read it correctly, you'll find that right at the end they'll differ by a factor of approx. 2
 
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The question said "What is the magnetic flux density near the end of a solenoid that has 12 turns per centimeter and carrying a current of 3A? (Assume μo =4π×10-7)
Answers
A) 144π×10-7) T
B) 1.44π×10-7) T
C) 144π μT
D) 144π T
gneill said:
Presumably this is a multiple choice style of question?

Can you quote the problem exactly along with the selection of answers?

It sometimes happens that a problem is "refreshed" with a slight change in values in order to make it "new" (so last year's answers can't be copied). Occasionally the "refresh" is imperfect: either the new answer is not inserted in the list of answers or the person making the change made an error in calculation...
 
Nile Anderson said:
Answers
A) 144π×10-7) T
B) 1.44π×10-7) T
C) 144π μT
D) 144π T

Looks like correct answer is: (E) none of the above
 
NascentOxygen said:
Looks like correct answer is: (E) none of the above
Lol yes , a reasonable conclusion
 
The two factors are limits for very long and very short solenoid relative to ring radius, so I think that you ask for the assumptions to use on your class level.
 
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Nile Anderson said:
The question said "What is the magnetic flux density near the end of a solenoid that has 12 turns per centimeter and carrying a current of 3A? (Assume μo =4π×10-7)
Answers
A) 144π×10-7) T
B) 1.44π×10-7) T
C) 144π μT
D) 144π T
Length of solenoid? 1cm? 1m?
 
  • #11
If length >> radius, answer would be close to A/2.
If length << radius, B = μ0IR/2
which is of no help since radius R is not given.
What you do is sum the B fields due to each wire turn using Biot-Savart. This is most readily done by the appropriate integral, so what you're doing here is assuming a differentially small wire spacing then integrating over distance from the solenoid's end (x=0) to x=infinity, and pre-multiplying by 1/(actual wire spacing).
 
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  • #12
Imagine two exacly identical coils carrying the same current in the same direction. B along the axis of each coil is given by by Nile in post one. Let B at the end points of the coils have the value Be. Now imagine that the two coils are pushed together end to end so as to make a longer coil. B along the axis will have the same value as before. Now consider the midpoint of the axis of this coil, where two ends of the smaller coils meet. B at this point can be considered to be the sum of B at the two ends of the smaller coils and therefore B = 2Be. In other words B at the end points of a long coil is half the value of B within the coil.
 
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