Inside a long current carrying solenoid the magnetic field is

  • A. zero
  • B. strongest at the ends
  • C. nearly uniform and parallel to the axis
  • D. circular around the axis

Explanation

The overlapping fields of the individual turns reinforce along the axis and largely cancel between adjacent turns, giving a field much like that of a bar magnet but uniform inside. Its strength is proportional to the current and to the number of turns per unit length, and inserting a soft iron core multiplies it many times. The field weakens and spreads near the ends.

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