Induction Experiment - Magnetic Field through a Toroid

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around building an induction apparatus using a toroid and troubleshooting issues related to magnetic field degradation. Participants explore the efficiency of the apparatus and the behavior of the magnetic field in different materials, specifically focusing on the impact of using soft iron versus other ferromagnetic metals.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how much the magnetic field degrades around the toroid and whether it remains strong by the time it reaches the other solenoid.
  • Another participant asserts that using soft iron minimizes field degradation, suggesting that other materials would be less effective.
  • A participant mentions using a ferromagnetic metal that is not soft iron and inquires about the magnetic field's behavior in that case.
  • There is a suggestion that the apparatus should still work with a non-soft iron toroid, but the expected response is a small deflection of the needle only when the switch is toggled.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of various materials for the toroid, particularly regarding soft iron versus other ferromagnetic metals. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific impact of using non-soft iron materials on magnetic field degradation.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not provided specific quantitative measures of magnetic field degradation, and assumptions about material properties and their effects on the magnetic field are not fully explored.

nbsmith
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I want to build a simple induction apparatus like the one displayed at this web page: http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/electromag/java/faraday/"

My first attempt didn't work, and I'm trying to troubleshoot it. I am wondering how much magnetic field degradation there is around the toroid. As the switch is closed and a magnetic field is created, how strong is the magnetic field by the time it gets to the other solenoid on the other side of the toroid? It could be that nearly all of the field strength is preserved around the toroid, or it could be that it is much weaker on the other side.

Does anyone have any idea how much the field degrades around the toroid? Perhaps this apparatus works in principle, but is not very efficient in practice.

Thanks.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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nbsmith said:
I want to build a simple induction apparatus like the one displayed at this web page: http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/electromag/java/faraday/"

My first attempt didn't work, and I'm trying to troubleshoot it. I am wondering how much magnetic field degradation there is around the toroid. As the switch is closed and a magnetic field is created, how strong is the magnetic field by the time it gets to the other solenoid on the other side of the toroid? It could be that nearly all of the field strength is preserved around the toroid, or it could be that it is much weaker on the other side.

Does anyone have any idea how much the field degrades around the toroid? Perhaps this apparatus works in principle, but is not very efficient in practice.

Thanks.


Um, I hope you noticed that in the description of the apparatus that the toroid was made of "soft iron"! That is the key as to why there is no field degradation from one side to the other. Other materials, for the most part, won't work. With just air coils the thing will be quite inefficient. OK?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I was using a ferromagnetic metal toroid, but it wasn't soft iron. Would the magnetic field travel around that without much degradation?
 
nbsmith said:
I was using a ferromagnetic metal toroid, but it wasn't soft iron. Would the magnetic field travel around that without much degradation?

It should work. You are looking for a tiny deflection of the needle only when you
open or close the switch. There is no deflection when the switch stays open or
stays closed.
 

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