Question

Give reasons for the following: A freely suspended current-carrying solenoid sets itself with its axis along the N-S direction.

Answer 1

1. Solenoid: If a conducting wire (coated with insulation) is wound on a cylindrical core, the resulting coil is called a solenoid.
2. The diameter of a solenoid is much less compared to the length of the coil.
   
3. When current is passed through a solenoid it will behave like a bar magnet and its end becomes the north and south pole.
4. A bar magnet always aligns itself in the north-south direction (directive property) when suspended freely in the earth's magnetic field.
5. In the same manner, a solenoid will also align itself in the north-south direction when suspended in the earth's magnetic field.