What are Solenoid and Toroid?

Solenoids are the cylindrical shape obtained by the number of turns of the conducting wires having several circular loops. When this coil is connected to the current, a magnetic field is generated inside the coil due to the flow of the current. When a soft material is used inside the coil, it becomes a magnet when current flows through the coil and it makes the magnetic field stronger.

Toroids have the same principle as that of solenoids, but the difference is in the construction. Toroids also have cylindrical coils, but it is circular instead of straight as in the solenoids. The core inside the coil is also circular. When the current passes, the magnetic field is generated inside the coil.

Construction and working of solenoid:

The solenoid is constructed by the long conducting wire, which is given a shape of a helical spring having a number of the turns of a circular loop. The gap in the wire is filled with the solid core or plunger inside the coil.

The coil is connected with the current source. When the current is passed through the coil, the magnetic field is generated around the coil. Due to this magnetic field, the magnetic force is applied to the core or plunger inside the coil then the plunger will move inside the coil. 

The ampere’s law will give the force applied to the core

Force = Q x V x (magnetic constant x N x I)

Here,

 Q = charge of passing point charge 

V = velocity of point chart magnetic constant 

N = number of turns in solenoid 

I = current running through solenoid

Solenoid is termed the electromagnet in which, bypassing the current, a magnetic force is generated to move the core. So the electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy.

Construction and working of Toroid:

The Toroid has a circular ring-type structure consisting of a long wire, having several turns and forming a circular loop. 

The current is passed through the coil, and the magnetic field is generated in the coil. The inductance of Toroid is because it has more turns in a shorter length.

The formula gives the magnetic field generated in the Toroid:

B = μonI

The magnetic field is generated only inside the core due to the closed-loop of the coil. There is no leakage of magnetic flux.

Similarities of the Solenoid and Toroid:

1. The working principle of both the solenoid and Toroid is electromagnetism: bypassing current, a magnetic field is generated in both the components.
2. The magnitude of the magnetic field generated by both the solenoid and the Toroid is the same.
3. Solenoids and Toroids both are electromagnets.

Difference between Solenoid and Toroid:

1. The solenoid is cylindrical, while the shape of the Toroid is circular, just like a doughnut.
2. The magnetic field generated in the solenoid is outside it, while the magnetic field generated in the Toroid is inside the core.
3. The solenoid has a uniform magnetic field, and the Toroid has a non-uniform magnetic field.

Application of Solenoid:

1. Solenoids are used in the direction control valves in hydraulic systems.
2. Solenoids are used in the locking system also.
3. Solenoids are used to operate the flow valves in the pipelines to avoid manual operations.

Application of Toroid:

1. Toroids are used in the transformers to step up or down the voltages.
2. Toroids are used in electrical circuits in amplifiers, inverters, computers, etc.

Conclusion:

This article has learned about the construction and working of solenoids and toroids. We have also studied the working principle of the solenoid and toroids. We have also seen the similarities and the differences between solenoids and toroids. 

Solenoids are used in the industries in valves, and toroids are used in electrical appliances, computers etc.