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Find the Current using Force/Length Between Two Wires

 
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Aug2-12, 11:31 AM   #1
 

Find the Current using Force/Length Between Two Wires


1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Two long parallel wires are separated by .006 m. The current in one of the wires is twice the other current. If the magnitude of the force on a 3m length of one of the wires is equal to 8μN, what is the greater of the two currents?

The answer: .40 A

2. Relevant equations
F/L = (μ0)(Ia)(Ib) / 2∏d
μ0 = 4∏x10^-7
d = distance between the wires
Ia/b = values for the two currents

3. The attempt at a solution
I plugged everything in like so: (8x10^-6)/3 = (4∏x10^-7)(I)(2I)/2∏(.06)
From that, I divided the left side and the right, leaving me with:
2.67x10^-6 = 3.33x10^-6(2I^2)
Then I just solved for I by getting I by itself (.801/2 = I^2) and and taking the square root of (.801/2) to find I. At this point, I've found that I = .63A , but I don't know where to go from here. The answer should come out to be .40A.
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data



2. Relevant equations



3. The attempt at a solution
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data



2. Relevant equations



3. The attempt at a solution
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Aug2-12, 03:05 PM   #2
 
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The problem says d = 0.006m but you used d = 0.06m
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force, magnetism, wire
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