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ID Sheet: MISN-0-125
R1. Given the dimensions and current in a circular loop of current, D. Alan Bromley Yale University
determine the magnetic field at its center. E. Leonard Jossem The Ohio State University
R2. Given the currents in two parallel wires, and the distance between A. A. Strassenburg S. U. N. Y., Stony Brook
the wires, calculate the force per unit length between the wires.
Post-Options: Views expressed in a module are those of the module author(s) and are
not necessarily those of other project participants.
1. “Magnetic Dipoles” (MISN-0-130).
2. “Ampere’s Law” (MISN-0-138). c 2001, Peter Signell for Project PHYSNET, Physics-Astronomy Bldg.,
°
Mich. State Univ., E. Lansing, MI 48824; (517) 355-3784. For our liberal
use policies see:
http://www.physnet.org/home/modules/license.html.
3 4
MISN-0-125 1 MISN-0-125 2
with this function, it may require a significant amount of studying before you feel
1 Pronunciations: lä-pläss0 , bee-oh0 , sav-ar0 . comfortable with it.
2 See “The Magnetic Field of a Moving Charge: Magnetic Interactions” (MISN-0-
124).
5 6
MISN-0-125 3 MISN-0-125 4
y
I I
R
` P `
B y B
x q `
^r `
r B
^T I ^T
Figure 2. The magnetic field at the center
dy ^y
z of a circular loop of current.
^x
over the length ` and get: Figure 3. Calculating Figure 4. The magnetic
the magnetic field near field of Fig. 3 is tangential to
~ = km I T̂ × r̂ ` .
B
a long straight current- an imaginary circle around
r2 carrying wire. the current.
Now we already know, for a point charge q of length ` and velocity v, that
I T̂ is given by:5 that T̂ × r̂ and r are not constant here as they were in the case of a circle.
Q~v = ` I T̂ (2) That means they must be written in terms of the variable of integration
so we finally have the familiar equation for the magnetic field due to a before they can be integrated. Since the integral extends the length of
moving point charge: the y-axis, as it is drawn in Fig. 3, let us write all of the variables in terms
of y for a point P that is in the plane of the page and to the right of the
B~ = km q ~v × r̂ . (3)
r2 wire.
d` = dy , (5)
3c. A Circular Loop of Current. We here calculate the magnetic
T̂ × r̂ = −ẑ sin θ = −ẑ R(R2 + y 2 )−1/2 , (6)
field at the center of a circular loop of current lying in the x-z plane. First,
notice that T̂ and r̂ in Eq. (1) are always perpendicular and T̂ × r̂ = ŷ. and
The distance r is just the radius of the circle and the path of integration r = (R2 + y 2 )1/2 . (7)
is the circumference of the circle (see Fig. 2):
Then Z +∞
~ = −ẑ km I R
µ ¶ ¢−3/2
ŷ 1 I R2 + y 2
Z ¡
~ B dy . (8)
B = km I 2
d` = km I 2
(2πR)ŷ = 2πkm ŷ . (4)
R R R −∞
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MISN-0-125 5 MISN-0-125 6
y Acknowledgments
The author would like to thank Professor James Linneman for a
I1 I2 helpful suggestion. The Problem Supplement was constructed by Kirby
Morgan. Preparation of this module was supported in part by the Na-
tional Science Foundation, Division of Science Education Development
x and Research, through Grant #SED 74-20088 to Michigan State Univer-
R sity.
~ = −2km I ẑ ,
B (10)
R
and we know that the force on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic
field7 is F~B = I ~` × B.
~ If we take I1 as the source of the magnetic field and
calculate the force on a wire carrying a current I2 in the same direction
as I1 we have
I1 ẑ I1 I2 `
F~2,1 = −I2 ~` × 2km = −x̂2km (11)
R R
where the direction −x̂ indicates the force is attractive. Often both wires
are relatively long; in that case the quantity of interest is the force per
unit of each wire on the other:
I1 I2
F/` = 2km
R
where the force is attractive if I2 is in the same direction as I1 , repulsive
if I2 is in the opposite direction from I1 .
6 See “The Magnetic Field of a Moving Charge: Magnetic Interactions” (MISN-0-
124).
7 See “Force on a Current in a Magnetic Field” (MISN-0-123).
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MISN-0-125 PS-1 MISN-0-125 PS-2
PROBLEM SUPPLEMENT
m
0c
km = 10−7 N s2 C−2 I1
5.
R=
Note: Problems 6 and 7 also occur in this module’s Model Exam.
a. Find the force per unit length on one wire due to the current in the
other. Help: [S-6]
#1 #2
b. Show whether the force is attractive or repulsive. R = 2.0 cm
~ at a point half-way between the two wires.
c. Calculate B
3. A long straight wire carries a current I1 and lies in the same plane as a
circular current loop as shown in the sketch. Find the magnitude and
direction of I1 such that the resultant magnetic field at the center of
the loop is zero. State I1 as positive if it is in the direction shown, as
negative if in the opposite direction.
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MISN-0-125 PS-3 MISN-0-125 PS-4
5. Four long parallel wires each carrying a current of 0.10 A, are arranged Brief Answers:
at the corners of a square 2.0 cm on a side as shown in cross-section
below. ~ = −1.5 × 10−4 T ẑ
1. B
2.0 cm
#2 #1 2. a. F` = 1.6 × 10−9 N/m
I1 I2 `
b. F2,1 = x̂2km (force is repulsive)
R
2.0 cm
y
I1 I2
#3 #4 x
Find the magnitude of the magnetic field at the center of the square:
a. if all the currents are in the same direction (apply Fig. 4 twice).
Help: [S-4] z
b. if only three are in the same direction. Help: [S-5] ~ = −2.4 × 10−7 T ẑ
c. B
c. two are in one direction, the other two are in the opposite direction
(two cases). 3. I1 = 18.8 A, in direction shown. Help: [S-2]
6.
m
0c
I1
5.
R=
I 2 = 3.0 A
Given a circular current loop in the x-z plane, integrate the Ampere-
Laplace-Biot-Savart integrand and use the numbers in the diagram to 10.0 cm
find B~ at the center of the loop. Draw a diagram showing the directions
of all vectors. 4. F~ /` = 4.3 × 10−6 N/m ŷ Help: [S-3]
7. If a relatively long wire in your amplifier carried a current of 0.030 A, 5. a. BTotal = 0
what would be the magnitude of the magnetic field at a transistor b. BTotal = 2.8 × 10−6 T
4.0 mm away? What force would the wire exert on a parallel wire
c. case 1: BTotal = 0
3.0 mm away, 3.0 cm long and carrying a current of 0.040 A in the
same direction? case 2: BTotal = 4.0 × 10−6 T
~ = (2.5 × 10−5 T) ŷ.
6. B
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MISN-0-125 PS-5 MISN-0-125 AS-1
y
SPECIAL ASSISTANCE SUPPLEMENT
` R = 5 cm
B
x S-1 (from TX-3b)
To take the limits ` = +∞ and ` = −∞ in this integral, realize that
I=2A when
z ` À R, (R2 + `2 )−1/2 ≈ (`2 )−1/2 = `−1
so
7. B = 1.5 × 10−6 T ` ¡ 2 ¢−1/2 ` 1
lim R + `2 = = .
F~ = 2.4 × 10−9 N, toward the first wire.
`→∞ R R|`| R
Similarly,
` ¡ 2 ¢−1/2 ` 1
lim R + `2 = =− .
`→−∞ R R|`| R
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MISN-0-125 AS-2 MISN-0-125 AS-3
; #3
F/` =
(2)(10−7 N/A2 )(cos30◦ )(0.5 A + 0.5 A)(0.5 A)
= 4.3 × 10−6 N/m
2 × 10−2 m
2.0 cm q _
@3 cm
1.0 cm
The forces on wire #3 due to wire #1 and wire #2 are both repulsive
and directed as shown in the figure at right. The resultant force is the
vector sum of the two equal magnitude forces
|F~31 | = |F~32 |;
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MISN-0-125 ME-1
MODEL EXAM
km = 10−7 N/A2
R T̂ × r̂
~ = km I
B d` .
r2
Given a circular current loop in the x-z plane, integrate the Ampere-
Laplace-Biot-Savart integrand and use the numbers in the diagram to
find B~ at the center of the loop. Draw a diagram showing the direction
of all vectors.
3. If a relatively long wire in your amplifier carried a current of 0.030 A,
what would be the magnitude of the magnetic field at a transistor
4.0 mm away? What force would the wire exert on a parallel wire
3.0 mm away, 3.0 cm long and carrying a current of 0.040 A in the
same direction?
Brief Answers:
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