Magnetic field in rectangular coil (not solenoid) Amperes law

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Homework Help Overview

The original poster describes a problem involving a rectangular coil with specific dimensions and a wire wrapped around it. The task is to calculate the magnetic field inside the coil using Ampere's law, while noting the differences from the solenoid case taught in class.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the same reasoning used for solenoids to the rectangular coil, questioning whether the magnetic field can be considered constant and how to account for the dimensions of the coil. Some participants suggest that the length of the coil must be significantly greater than its width for the solenoid-like assumptions to hold true.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the implications of the rectangular coil's dimensions on the magnetic field calculation. There is acknowledgment of the need for specific conditions to apply solenoid principles, but no consensus has been reached on the best approach for the rectangular coil scenario.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the importance of the relative dimensions of the coil and the conditions under which the magnetic field can be assumed to behave similarly to that of a solenoid. Participants are considering the effects of the coil's edges on the magnetic field distribution.

LambertoPierto
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Homework Statement



I have a rectangular coil with length L and the cross-section's sides has length a and b (b>a). A wire is tightly wrapped around N times. Calculate the magnetic field inside the coil.

Homework Equations



The problem I have is that in class we were taught how to calculate the magnetic field for a solenoid were the diameter is much smaller than the length of the soleind, making the magnetic field inside almost constant. We used Ampere's law. Since I now have a rectangular coil I'm confused.

The Attempt at a Solution



If I were to use the same approach as for a solenoid I would draw a rectangular path parallell to the magnetic field inside the coil. I would traverse the path counterclockwise and everytime I wire passes through my rectangular loop I would add the magnetic field times the length of the side parallell to the magnetic field. If I then would go on the result would be the same as for the solenoid, that can't be right?

But then again, if I divide every loop of the wire around the coil into indivdiual cases and then add up all the N loops. Then I could safely assume that the magnetic field is constant right!? And if I proceeded with making a rectangular path and calculate the magnetic field using Ampere's law. Wouldn't I just end up with the same result as for the soleind? But then why were the professor implying so strongly that the solenoid had to have a small diameter. Aswell dose the length of the sides, a and be, truly not contribute? I would highly appreciate any nod in the right direction for solving this!
 
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yes the result will come out to be same as that in case of solenoid provided the length of rectangular coil is >> than width of rectangular coil.

this >> condition is needed in both the case (ie rectangular coil case and solenoid case) since this is the condition which allows us to assume that magnetic field inside the element is only in direction of length of element. In reality, the magnetic field at the edges is little towards outward away from center.

solenoid.png
 
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mukul said:
yes the result will come out to be same as that in case of solenoid provided the length of rectangular coil is >> than width of rectangular coil.

this >> condition is needed in both the case (ie rectangular coil case and solenoid case) since this is the condition which allows us to assume that magnetic field inside the element is only in direction of length of element. In reality, the magnetic field at the edges is little towards outward away from center.

View attachment 97571

Thank you!
 
LambertoPierto said:
Thank you!
Did I answer your question completely?
 

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