Using the right hand rule I struggle to visualise/work out how to tell which is the north and south pole.
It's all so confusing that the right hand rule refers to conventional current not electron so when looking at diagrams it adds to the problem
What is a easy way of finding the north and south poles of a solenoid?
Best Answer
The north and south pole of a solenoid depends on two factors. One, the direction of the current flow and two, the direction of the winding (clockwise or counter-clockwise). Start by determine the positive pole of the power source (e.g: battery), then the end of the solenoid that you are going to connect to it. Now, looking down the solenoid tube determine what direction is the winding. If clockwise in relation to the positive wire then is the south pole, if anti-clockwise then is the north pole. So, to summarize the magnetic south pole is always clockwise in relation to the positive wire.