What Causes the Magnetic Field Outside a Realistic Solenoid?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the magnetic field generated outside a realistic circular solenoid of infinite length carrying a current. Participants are exploring the relationship between the solenoid's structure and the resulting magnetic field, particularly in comparison to that of a single wire carrying the same current.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the current's direction and its effect on the magnetic field, questioning the justification of certain relationships derived from Ampere's law. There is also a consideration of the solenoid's characteristics and how they relate to the magnetic field produced.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights into the application of Ampere's law and the nature of the current in the solenoid. There are ongoing questions regarding the assumptions made about the solenoid's behavior and the implications of its realistic characteristics.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the solenoid being "realistic," which raises questions about its definition and implications for the problem. Participants are also examining the validity of the current relationships used in their reasoning.

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Homework Statement


There is a realistic circular solenoid of infinite length. Current I flows in it, and there are N turns per unit length. The problem asks to show that just outside the solenoid there exists a magnetic field identical in magnitude and direction as that of a single wire on the axis, carrying a current I.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


To me it seems clear that the effect is caused by some current flowing in z direction, along the cylinder, that is. While azimuthally the current travels once around the circumference, upwards the current travels the distance equal to diameter of the wire, and from proportionality,
I' = I \frac{d}{2\pi a} = \frac{I}{2\pi a N}
That is the current flowing upwards. Using Ampere's law, the azimuthal magnetic field is
B_{\phi} = \frac{\mu_0 I'}{2\pi a} = \frac{\mu_0 I}{2\pi a} \frac{1}{2\pi aN}
Somehow, it doesn't resemble the answer suggested in the problem. What did I do wrong?
 
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Irid said:

The Attempt at a Solution


To me it seems clear that the effect is caused by some current flowing in z direction, along the cylinder, that is. While azimuthally the current travels once around the circumference, upwards the current travels the distance equal to diameter of the wire, and from proportionality,
I' = I \frac{d}{2\pi a} = \frac{I}{2\pi a N}
This relationship is not justified. If you draw an Amperean loop that is circular and concentric with the axis of the solenoid, what current passes through the plane of this circle?
 
a realistic circular solenoid of infinite length
In what reality? Or is 'realistic' solenoid a code for some other property?

Sorry - not a very helpful comment, i know.
 
Gokul43201 said:
This relationship is not justified. If you draw an Amperean loop that is circular and concentric with the axis of the solenoid, what current passes through the plane of this circle?

Good point. Now I see my mistake. Ampere's law doesn't care in which direction the current flows, it only must cross the surface.
Thanks.
 
In realistic solenoid means that is a helix, that mean that there is a component of the current in the z direction.
 

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