The Slinky as a Solenoid Lab
Coils of wire bearing current, or solenoids, are often used as electromagnets. Understanding how the strength of the magnetic field varies within a solenoid is the topic of this hands-on activity. NOTE: In order to perform this lab, it is necessary to have a PASCO or Vernier magnetic field sensor.
When electric current moves in a wire, a magnetic field is produced. The magnetic field can be strengthened by having multiple current-carrying wires arranged such that the magnetic fields are additive, or by coiling one wire so that it has many adjacent parallel currents. Such a coiled wire is sometimes referred to as a solenoid. With this activity, students explore the magnetic field around a solenoid created with an ordinary toy slinky.
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