How does a solenoid behave like a magnet? Can you determine the north and south poles of a current–carrying solenoid with the help of a bar magnet? Explain.

Solenoid is a coil of many circular turns of an insulated copper wire closely wound in the shape of a cylinder. It has a soft iron core with insulated copper wire covering it, the solenoid acts like a magnet.

The magnetic field produced by a solenoid is similar to the magnetic field of a bar magnet. One end of the solenoid behaves as north seeking pole and another end behaves as a south seeking pole as in magnet.

We can predict the north and the south poles of the solenoid with the help of a bar magnet by bringing a north pole of a magnet near to anyone end of the solenoid. If the magnet is attracted it is unlike pole (south) and if it is repelled it is like pole (north).