Two magnetic fields interacting in single core?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interaction of two magnetic fields in a toroidal transformer setup, where one coil is connected to a DC source and another coil is positioned to influence a magnetic needle. Participants explore whether these magnetic fields can interact and how this interaction might affect the needle's behavior.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a scenario where a toroidal transformer has a main coil connected to a DC source, creating a static magnetic field, while a second coil is also connected to a DC source and positioned to influence a needle.
  • Another participant questions which magnetic flux would affect the needle, suggesting that the core confines the magnetic field and that there may be no interaction unless the needle is somehow attached to the core.
  • A different participant proposes that when the second coil is energized, the needle should align with the magnetic field created by that coil, similar to how a reluctance motor operates.
  • One participant argues that the fields are static and will combine, leading to the needle aligning with the resultant field rather than spinning.
  • Another participant expresses confusion about how the needle could align given the presence of the main coil, noting that toroidal solenoids do not have clear N-S poles and suggesting that the needle might be continuously pushed around.
  • A later reply offers a non-expert opinion that the magnetic fields would settle into a shaped overall field, with the needle aligning in the direction of the densest field.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the interaction of the magnetic fields and the behavior of the needle. There is no consensus on whether the needle will spin or simply align with the combined magnetic field.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various assumptions about the behavior of magnetic fields in toroidal configurations and the nature of magnetic pole alignment, but these assumptions remain unresolved.

Salvador
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I have a question that I can't figure out , there is a toroidal transformer , and the core has an attached part on which another coil is wound. the main coil of the toroidal transformer is connected to a DC source. which creates a static magnetic field in the torus core. the other coil at the side is also attached to DC source. it now has one pole going into the torus while the other pole flux lines are directed with a metal path towards a turning needle in the center of the torus , theoretically the flux through the needle should find its way through the airgap into the torus where the other pole of the side coil is located.
Will it do so?

in other words can these two magnetic fields interact with each other , I mean what would happen with the needle in the middle would it start to turn around because as it would try to align with the other pole of the side coil the current in the main torus coils would set up a magnetic field that would push the needle sideways ?

I would be thankful if someone could explain this situation to me , especially about the case I presented here .
I attached a picture for better understanding.

thank you.https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/85038
 
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Which flux through the needle? The core will confine the magnetic field mainly to the core.
The second circuit is closed only if you attach the needle to the core somehow. There is nothing that would interact with each other.
 
let me put it like this,
well when the yellow coil is energized it would create two poles one would enter the torus the other is given path to the needle , the needle should then align pointing towards the yellow coil as the magnetic flux is trying to align where there is least resistance , like in reluctance motors ,
now once the needle would align towards the part where the yellow coil is , I switch on the other DC source to the big coil wrapped around the torus itself , what happens now?
to my mind since the wires on the torus all go one direction in the inside window , shouldn't those two magnetic fields interact? , since the yellow coil has one of its poles attached to the torus the whole torus now is basically one pole and the other extends through the needle and points to the torus but since the wires around the torus have a perpendicular field isn't there now a force exerted on the needle that kinda pushes it around now, like in a motor ?
 
I think the fields are static and they just "combine" forces, so the needle will not "spin around in circles" it will just align to the combined field.
 
surely it would align if there was just the yellow side coil, but since there is also the main coil on the torus , how could it align , i searched and came up with the fact that toridal solenoids/windings don't have clear N-S poles rather it resembles a continuous stream of flux lines pointing in one direction (DC case) so the inner side of the torus has these wires going in one direction so the needle should be continously pushed around ? I am kinda puzzled , please give your feedback, thank you.
 
Any more thoughts , anyone ?

https://www.physicsforums.com/members/jerromyjon.528145/

P.S. somehow the text turned in blue surely that shouldn't be anything bad.
 
Yes, the built in AI of this forum must have figured you were up to doing something devious! :nb)
(Most likely what really happened is you accidentally hit some combination of keys and the blue text is the result.)

On your original post I'm no expert, but I think things would settle into some overall shaped magnetic field, and the needle would end up aligned with the direction in which the field is most dense.
 

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