Solenoid and Iron Filings

A solenoid (a coil of wire) is connected to a power source, creating a magnetic field when current flows through the coil. Iron filings are sprinkled around and on top of the solenoid. As the current is turned on, the filings align themselves along the invisible magnetic field lines generated by the solenoid, visually mapping the field's structure. The solenoid's magnetic field resembles that of a bar magnet, with field lines emerging from one end (acting as the north pole) and curving around to enter the other end (acting as the south pole).