A student investigates how inserting different solid cores into a long
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Magnetism and Matter · Magnetism and Matter
Problem
A student investigates how inserting different solid cores into a long, tightly wound solenoid alters the magnetic field produced by the solenoid. The solenoid is 1.0 m long, has 800 turns of wire, and carries a steady current of 2.0 A. The four candidate core materials are
• free space (no core)
• aluminum (paramagnetic)
• iron (ferromagnetic)
• bismuth (diamagnetic)
Assume the current in the solenoid is kept constant throughout the investigation.
(a) Define magnetic permeability and distinguish between μ and μ0.
(b) Without performing any calculations, describe how the magnitude of the magnetic field inside the solenoid will qualitatively change when each of the four cores listed above is inserted. Base your reasoning on the intrinsic magnetic properties of each material.
(c) Identify which core material will result in the strongest magnetic field inside the solenoid and which will result in the weakest, justifying your answers.