Question

What is a solenoid? Draw a sketch to show the magnetic field pattern produced by a current carrying solenoid.

Answer 1

Hint: The solenoid is an electromagnet. In which the coils wiring is tightly wound. When the electricity passes through the coil then the magnetic field is created around and in it.

 Complete answer:
Solenoid is a kind of device which is used for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. It is a temporary strong magnet. It is also known as electromagnet. It consists of a coil of wires, the armature and the housing. The coil is basically made of copper wire and wound tightly and has many turns of it. The housing is made of steel which surrounds the coil. The plunger is attracted to the stop through the concentration of the magnetic field providing the mechanical force to do work.

When an electric current passes through a solenoid then it produces a magnetic field around it and uses the magnetic field to create linear motion. The magnetic field pattern produced by a current carrying solenoid is similar to the magnetic field produced by a bar magnet.

The magnetic field inside the solenoid is uniform because the coil wires are nearly parallel to each other and the force of the magnetic field is zero.

The solenoids are used as starter in an automobile such as sprinkler systems, valves etc.

Note:
Make sure that the solenoid is an electromagnet but not a permanent magnet like a bar magnet and solenoid is a tightly wound helical coil of wire whose diameter is small compared to its length.