Question

Distinguish between bar magnets and solenoid

Answer 1

Answer:

              Difference between a Bar Magnet and a Solenoid :

The bar magnet is a permanent magnet whereas a solenoid is an electromagnet ie, it acts like a magnet only when an electric current is passed through.

• What is a Bar Magnet?

A bar magnet is a rectangular or a square piece of an object made from iron or steel having permanent magnetic properties with two poles: north and south.

• What is a Solenoid?

A solenoid is a coil with the length greater than its diameter and is a type of an electromagnet to produce controlled magnetic fields by passing an electric current through it.

1. Difference between a Bar Magnet and a Solenoid

• The bar magnet is a permanent magnet whereas a solenoid is an electromagnet ie, it acts like a magnet only when an electric current is passed through.

• When a bar magnet is cut into two halves, both the pieces act as a magnet with the same magnetic properties whereas when a solenoid is cut into two halves, they will have weaker fields.

• The poles of the bar magnet are fixed whereas for a solenoid the poles can be altered.

• The strength of the magnetic field of a bar magnet is fixed ie, unaltered whereas the strength of the magnetic field of a solenoid depends on the electric current that is passed through it.

1. Similarities between a Bar Magnet and a Solenoid

• Bar magnet and solenoid both have attractive and directive properties ie, to align itself along the external magnetic field.

• The magnetic field at the axial point is the same for both.

• The magnetic moment is the same for both.