solenoid
SOH-luh-noyd
/ˈsəʊlənɔɪd/
A cylindrical coil of wire acting as a magnet when carrying an electric current.
Often converts electrical signals into linear mechanical motion via magnetic movement.
The story behind the word. Coined in 1823 by French physicist André-Marie Ampère from Greek 'solen' (pipe or channel) + '-oid' (resembling). The wire loops resembled a tubular pipe.
Word relationships
- electromagnet: An electromagnet can be any coil geometry, while a solenoid specifically denotes a helical cylindrical coil.
Commonly confused with
- toroid: A solenoid is a straight cylindrical coil, while a toroid is a coil wound into a doughnut shape.
Word family
- solenoidal (adjective): Having zero divergence, characteristic of magnetic field vectors inside coils.
Collocations
- solenoid valve
- starter solenoid
- linear solenoid
- solenoid coil
Example sentences
- "Turning the key energizes the starter solenoid, pushing the gear forward to crank the engine." Automotive repair manual
- "The magnetic field inside an ideal solenoid is remarkably uniform and parallel to its central axis." Physics laboratory manual
Memory hook
SOLENOID looks like a long PIPE (solen) of coiled wire. Cylindrical coil that acts as a magnet.
When not to use
Do not confuse with flat spiral coils or non-cylindrical electromagnetic inductors.
Fun facts
- Solenoid valves control fluids in almost every modern washing machine and industrial chemical plant.
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