Question

The diagram shows a coil wound around a soft iron bar XY. State the polarity at the ends X and Y as the switch is pressed

• A. X-north pole, Y-south pole
• B. X-north pole, Y-north pole
• C. X-south pole, Y-south pole
• D. X-south pole, Y-north pole

Answer 1

The correct option is D X-south pole, Y-north pole

The magnetic fields produced by the solenoid are similar to the magnetic field produced by a magnet. As shown in the figure, polarity of a magnetic pole in a solenoid is south pole if current is flowing clockwise and north pole if current flows anti-clockwise. Polarity can also be found using right-hand thumb rule.
Thus, the polarity of the solenoid XY at X is south pole and at Y is north pole.