# "Rearranging" inductor

I found two ways to solve this problem, but I get two different solutions, it's confusing because I can't see the flaw in wrong solution.
1. Homework Statement

Long cylindrical inductor of diameter D1 and inductance L1 is connected to battery and creates magnetic field B1. Inductor is then rearranged to new inductor of diameter D2 and inductance L2. Find magnetic field B2 which is created when "new" inductor is connected to the same battery as before. Assume that length of wire is much larger then length on inductor.

## Homework Equations

L=μN2S/l
B=μNi/l
i-current, l-length of coil

## The Attempt at a Solution

1st way(correct):[/B]
B1=μN1i/l1 => μN1/l1=B1/i
L1=μN12S1/l1
L1=N1S1B1/i
current is same in both case so:
L2=N2S2B2/i
dividing and rearranging_
L1=N1S1B1/i
L2=N2S2B2/i
B2=B1N1S1L2/(N2S2L1)
wire is same length in both case so:
h- thickness of wire
N1hD1π=N2hD2π
N1/N2=D2/D1
and S∝D2
B2=B1D1L2/(D2L1)
2nd way:
Bn=μNni/ln => B2= B1N2l1/(l2N1)
Ln=μNn2Sn/ln
Nn=√(Lnln /(μSn))
so N2/N1=√(L2l2S1/(L1l1S2))
substituting: B2= B1√(L2l1S1/(L1l2S2))
wire is same length so: Dπl= constant => l1/l2=D2/D1
and and S∝D2 =>
B2=B1√(D1L2/(D2L1))

Related Introductory Physics Homework Help News on Phys.org
TSny
Homework Helper
Gold Member
Hello, and welcome to PF!

1st way(correct):
wire is same length in both case so:
h- thickness of wire
N1hD1π=N2hD2π
I'm not quite sure why you have a factor of h on each side of the above equation. In any case, it does lead to the following
N1/N2=D2/D1
which I believe is correct.

Keep in mind that either solenoid can have more than one layer of wraps of wire.

2nd way:
wire is same length so: Dπl= constant => l1/l2=D2/D1
How is Dπl related to the length of wire?

rude man
Homework Helper
Gold Member
When you connect battery to an inductor the current does not stabilize but ramps up at a constant rate di/dt = V/L. So how a re you comparing currents? the problem also implies that the inductor is changed 'on the fly' while current is flowing, which itself constitutes a V = i dL/dt problem in addition to the usual V = L di/dt one.
Bottom line, the problem is hard to understand, at least for me.

I see where i was wrong, I assumed that there is just one layer but there isn't, thank you TSny.
Coil has some resistance and when is connected to DC there is no voltage change=> current is constant