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Actually, a solenoid is just a coil [1], which in electronics can be used to turn a current into a magnetic field. It is used to implement switches, but has oth
by cshimmin 12y ago
Actually, a solenoid is just a coil [1], which in electronics can be used to turn a current into a magnetic field. It is used to implement switches, but has other applications as well. For example, the CMS (Compact Muon Solenoid) [2] experiment uses theirs to generate a strong magnetic field to bend the tracks high-energy charged particles.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solenoid https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solenoid
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Muon_Solenoid http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Muon_Solenoid
- mindcrime 12y agoContext matters... ask most auto buffs, or the clerk behind the counter at Advance Auto Parts, what a "solenoid" is and they'll tell you (rightly) that it's a relay that controls the high-current circuit between the battery and the starter, using the low current circuit through the ignition switch.