Understanding Faraday's Law with Solenoids

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter davidbenari
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Faraday's law Law
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the application of Faraday's Law in calculating the electromotive force (emf) in solenoids. It is established that the emf is determined by multiplying the changing magnetic flux through a single loop by the number of turns (N) in the solenoid. This principle is analogous to adding voltages in series, as illustrated by the example of five loops producing a total emf equivalent to five individual voltages. The clarification provided emphasizes the series nature of the loops, akin to batteries connected in series.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction
  • Basic knowledge of solenoids and their construction
  • Familiarity with the concept of magnetic flux
  • Knowledge of electrical circuits and series connections
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the mathematical formulation of Faraday's Law in detail
  • Explore the relationship between magnetic fields and electric currents in solenoids
  • Learn about the applications of solenoids in electromagnetic devices
  • Investigate the principles of series and parallel circuits in electrical engineering
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in the principles of electromagnetism and the practical applications of solenoids in technology.

davidbenari
Messages
466
Reaction score
18
It is a well known fact that whenever we want to calculate the emf in a solenoid we usually multiply the changing flux for one loop times N, which is the number of turns in the solenoid.

But why is this?

For example, in the case of amperes law, I know that it makes sense to add currents because you are considering the line integral, one can think of it like

##\oint \mathbf{B} \cdot \mathbf{dl} = \oint (\mathbf{\sum_i B_i}) \cdot \mathbf{dl} = \sum_i ( \oint \mathbf{B} \cdot \mathbf{dl} ) _ i = \sum_i \mu_0 I = \mu_0 \sum_i I_i ##

In that case, currents clearly should add, but I don't see why currents or turns in the solenoid are added in any "deep" sense (when applying Faraday's law).

Thanks and sorry if my question is unclear.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
davidbenari said:
It is a well known fact that whenever we want to calculate the emf in a solenoid we usually multiply the changing flux for one loop times N, which is the number of turns in the solenoid.

But why is this?

For example, in the case of amperes law, I know that it makes sense to add currents because you are considering the line integral, one can think of it like

##\oint \mathbf{B} \cdot \mathbf{dl} = \oint (\mathbf{\sum_i B_i}) \cdot \mathbf{dl} = \sum_i ( \oint \mathbf{B} \cdot \mathbf{dl} ) _ i = \sum_i \mu_0 I = \mu_0 \sum_i I_i ##

In that case, currents clearly should add, but I don't see why currents or turns in the solenoid are added in any "deep" sense (when applying Faraday's law).

Thanks and sorry if my question is unclear.
Is there anything you can do to condense this or make it clearer?
 
davidbenari said:
It is a well known fact that whenever we want to calculate the emf in a solenoid we usually multiply the changing flux for one loop times N, which is the number of turns in the solenoid.

But why is this?

Gah, I can't believe nobody tackled this, including me. ?:)

Suppose you have a single loop that produces (for a given changing-magnetic-field configuration) an emf of 1.5 volts. Now suppose you have a coil or solenoid containing, say, 5 of these loops (turns). The loops are electrically in series, so you have 5 emf's in series, 1.5 volts each. It's like having 5 (ideal) dry-cell batteries in series, each with an emf of 1.5 volts, producing a total emf of 7.5 volts.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: davidbenari
jtbell:

I guess you have answered my Q. thanks.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
684
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K