Question

(a) A long, straight solenoid has N turns, uniform cross-sectional area A, and length l. Show that the inductance of this solenoid is given by the equation L=μ0AN2/l. Assume that the magnetic field is uniform inside the solenoid and zero outside. (Your answer is approximate because B is actually smaller at the ends than at the center. For this reason, your answer is actually an upper limit on the inductance.) (b) A metallic laboratory spring is typically 5.00 cm long and 0.150 cm in diameter and has 50 coils. If you connect such a spring in an electric circuit, how much self-inductance must you include for it if you model it as an ideal solenoid?

Answer 1

Answer:

a. L = μ₀AN²/l b. 1.11 × 10⁻⁷ H

Explanation:

a. The magnetic flux through the solenoid, Ф = NAB where N = number of turns of solenoid, A = cross-sectional area of solenoid and B = magnetic field at center of solenoid = μ₀ni where μ₀ = permeability of free space, n = number of turns per unit length = N/l where l = length of solenoid and i = current in solenoid.

Also, Li = Ф where L = inductance of solenoid.

So, Li = NAB

= NA(μ₀ni)

= NA(μ₀Ni/l)

Li = μ₀AN²i/l

dividing both sides by i, we have

So, L = μ₀AN²/l

b. The self- inductance, L = μ₀AN²/l where

A = πd²/4 where d = diameter of solenoid = 0.150 cm = 1.5 × 10⁻³ m, N = 50 turns, μ₀ = 4π × 10⁻⁷ H/m and l = 5.00 cm = 5 × 10⁻² m

So, L = μ₀AN²/l

L = μ₀πd²N²/4l

L = 4π × 10⁻⁷ H/m × π(1.5 × 10⁻³ m)²(50)²/(4 × 5 × 10⁻² m)

L = 11,103.3 × 10⁻¹¹ H

L = 1.11033 × 10⁻⁷ H

L ≅ 1.11 × 10⁻⁷ H