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Power spike in secondary solenoid

  1. May 28, 2009 #1

    Drakbah

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    Some students were performing an experiment involving 2 solenoids in a line, a power source attached to the primary, and a globe attached to the secondary solenoid.

    A crude depiction of the setup is as below.

    /////// /////// <---- Rod inserted here
    Pri . . . Sec

    An iron rod was inserted through both solenoids and the globe became exceptionally bright when the iron rod was fully through the secondary and half way into the primary. This effect was persistent, not temporary, or fluctuating.

    I cannot figure out why, any help would be appreciated.
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2009
    Drakbah, May 28, 2009
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  3. May 28, 2009 #2

    jmatejka

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    At first glance, it appears you are making an iron core transformer from the solenoids.

    Iron is often used to enhance transformer efficiency. You shouldnt have to google too long to find out details on "iron core transformers". The "iron" is usually in the form of laminated sheets, to reduce eddie current losses.
     
    jmatejka, May 28, 2009
  4. May 28, 2009 #3

    Drakbah

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    It is a simple iron rod, and yes it is a transformer experiment a senior physics class is doing.

    The point of the question is that (beginning at the point the rod is totally through the secondary coil, and entering the primary) the light is dull gets to a brightness peak (rod midway through the primary) and then dulls down again (rod fully through the primary). And to boot if the rod is left half way through the intensity is sustained.

    Why does the intensity of the light peak when the rod is present in half of the primary solenoid ?

    It is an observation I made and an observation the students made and asked about, and I do not have an answer for them, I need help answering them.
     
    Drakbah, May 28, 2009
  5. May 28, 2009 #4

    jmatejka

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    Others may have a better(more specific) answer for you, I had a University inductor lab, where we did similar experiments. If I remember correctly, your basicly altering the "efficiency" of the transformer.

    Why is 1/2 way in optimal? Perhaps more than that and "eddie currents" produce a point of diminishing returns?
     
    jmatejka, May 28, 2009
  6. May 28, 2009 #5

    Drakbah

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    Thanks, I was leaning towards that description myself, but wanted a sure answer if I could get one.

    I do believe the rod was hollow, not solid.
     
    Drakbah, May 28, 2009
  7. May 29, 2009 #6

    Drakbah

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    Anyone have a more technical and more definate answer ?
     
    Drakbah, May 29, 2009
  8. May 29, 2009 #7

    Bergstein

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    Maybe the changing rate of magnetic flux peaks when the rod is present in half of the primary solenoid
     
    Bergstein, May 29, 2009
  9. May 30, 2009 #8

    Drakbah

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    If that is the case i woulld like to know why
     
    Drakbah, May 30, 2009
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