Magnetic needle inside a solenoid

In summary, if a magnetic needle is placed inside a solenoid, the South Pole of the needle will be directed towards the South Pole of the solenoid, and the same applies for the North Pole. It is possible to change the direction of a compass needle by placing it in a solenoid with the North Pole towards the geographic South Pole of the Earth and the South Pole towards the geographic North Pole of the Earth, but it is not a common practice. This may have been a problem the person was trying to solve.
  • #1
Entanglement
439
13
What will happen If I place a magnetic needle inside a solenoid, I mean will the South Pole of the needle be directed towards the South Pole of the solenoid since it is north from inside and the same way regarding the North Pole
 
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  • #2
I mean will the South Pole of the needle be directed towards the South Pole of the solenoid since it is north from inside and the same way regarding the North Pole
Right.
 
  • #3
mfb said:
Right.
Thanks !
 
  • #4
mfb said:
Right.
So If I want to change the compass direction by 180 degrees should I place the compass in a solenoid that's North Pole is towards the geographic South Pole of the Earth and the south of the solenoid towards the Geographic North Pole of the Earth ?
 
  • #5
That is possible (assuming the field of the coil is strong enough), but why would you want to change the direction of a compass needle like that?
 
  • #6
That's a problem that I was solving I am making sure my answer is right
 
  • #7
Thanks a lot !
 

What is a magnetic needle inside a solenoid?

A magnetic needle inside a solenoid refers to a setup in which a thin, magnetized needle is placed inside a cylindrical coil of wire called a solenoid. When an electric current is passed through the solenoid, it creates a magnetic field that affects the orientation of the needle.

How does a magnetic needle inside a solenoid work?

The magnetic field created by the solenoid causes the needle to align itself along the direction of the field. This is due to the interaction between the magnetic field and the magnetic dipole moment of the needle. The needle will point in the same direction as the magnetic field lines inside the solenoid.

What is the purpose of a magnetic needle inside a solenoid?

The purpose of this setup is to demonstrate the principles of electromagnetism and how electric current can create a magnetic field. It is also commonly used in experiments and demonstrations to study the behavior of magnetic fields and the effect of different parameters, such as current and number of coils, on the strength of the field.

What factors affect the strength of the magnetic field in a magnetic needle inside a solenoid?

The strength of the magnetic field in this setup depends on several factors, including the current passing through the solenoid, the number of turns in the coil, and the material of the needle. Increasing the current or the number of turns will increase the strength of the field, while using a more magnetic material for the needle will also enhance its effect.

Can a magnetic needle inside a solenoid be used for practical applications?

While this setup is mostly used for educational purposes, it does have some practical applications. For example, it can be used in compasses and navigational tools to detect the Earth's magnetic field and determine direction. It can also be used in devices such as magnetic sensors and relays, which utilize the change in the magnetic field to trigger a response.

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