What is the difference between the poles of a hollow and solid electromagnet?

In summary, the conversation discusses the use of the right hand thumb rule to determine the direction of magnetic flux lines based on the direction of the current. It also clarifies that this rule only applies to hollow cylindrical electromagnets and not solid ones. The attached picture may be confusing, but the main idea is that the field lines point out of the north pole and into the south pole of the material. The question is whether the field lines enter or exit the material, and the confusion arises from the positioning of the probe. In the case of the hollow magnet, there may not be distinct north and south poles as a probe on the outside would not detect a strong magnetic field.
  • #1
Muthuraj R
9
0
Please find the attached picture..
My understanding : Use right hand thumb rule to find the direction of magnetic flux lines when the direction of currents are known. When I have a 'cross', the lines will be in clockwise direction while I have a 'dot', the lines will be in anticlcokwise direction. And as magnetic flux lines start from N pole and end at S pole, i find the N and S poles.. This works only with hollow cylindrical electromagnet, not with solid one.. Where I make mistake?? Please clarify. Thanks.
 

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  • #2
The picture is pretty confusing maybe intentionally. The idea is, that the solid and the hollow electromagnet has the field lines pointing out of the north pole (material) and into the south pole (material). So the question is if the field lines enter or exit the material. The assumption is, that the probe is in the areas without material and where the probes north pole would point, this is causing the confusion, because the probe is located in different places. In case of the hollow magnet one could also argue that there is no north and south pole, because a probe on the outside would see (practically) no field.
 

1. What are poles of an electromagnet?

The poles of an electromagnet refer to the two ends of the magnet where the magnetic force is concentrated. These poles are called the North pole and the South pole, and they are determined by the direction of the magnetic field lines.

2. How are the poles of an electromagnet created?

The poles of an electromagnet are created when an electric current flows through a wire wrapped around a magnetic material, such as iron. This creates a magnetic field that has a North and South pole.

3. Can the poles of an electromagnet be reversed?

Yes, the poles of an electromagnet can be reversed by changing the direction of the electric current flowing through the wire. This will change the direction of the magnetic field and reverse the North and South poles.

4. What is the significance of the poles in an electromagnet?

The poles of an electromagnet play a crucial role in its functionality. The North and South poles attract and repel other magnets, and this is what allows an electromagnet to pick up or push away magnetic materials. The strength of the poles also determines the strength of the electromagnet.

5. How do the poles of an electromagnet affect its magnetic field?

The poles of an electromagnet determine the shape and direction of its magnetic field. The field lines always travel from the North pole to the South pole, and the strength of the poles determines the density of the field lines. The closer the poles are, the stronger the magnetic field will be.

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