Electromagnetism, two wires and fields

In summary, the problem involves two parallel wires carrying equal and opposite currents and asks for the magnetic field in the x-y plane and its maximum gradient at an arbitrary point on the surface of a table. The wires are placed 0.5m apart, with one wire 0.5m above the surface of the table and the other 0.5m below. The problem also provides the orientation of the x and y axes and the purpose of the wires' placement.
  • #1
Ripperbat
6
0

Homework Statement


Two very long thin wires carrying equal and opposite currents of 103 A are placed parallel to the x-axis at y=0 and z=+-0.5. Calculte the magnetic field B in the x-y plane and determine it's maximum gradient.

Homework Equations


I'm having serious trouble understanding the question itself, can anyone clarify?
 
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  • #2
Sit in front of a table. Let the plane of the table be the xy plane. Let the x-axis be along the top edge of the table facing you and the y-axis be on the table perpendicular to the x-axis and pointing away from you. Imagine one wire 0.5 m above the plane of the table and parallel to the x-axis (the edge facing you). The second wire is 1.0 m directly below the first wire or 0.5 m below the surface of the table.

The problem is asking you two things.
1. Find the magnetic field at some arbitrary point on the surface of the table.
2. Find the maximum rate of change of the magnetic field in part 1 with respect to position.
 

1. What is electromagnetism?

Electromagnetism is the branch of physics that studies the interactions between electrically charged particles and the resulting magnetic fields.

2. How do two wires interact in an electromagnetic field?

Two wires carrying electric currents in the same direction will attract each other, while two wires carrying electric currents in opposite directions will repel each other due to the interaction between their magnetic fields.

3. What factors affect the strength of an electromagnetic field?

The strength of an electromagnetic field depends on the magnitude of the electric current, the distance between the wires, and the material properties of the wires such as their conductivity and permeability.

4. Can an electromagnetic field be shielded?

Yes, an electromagnetic field can be shielded by using materials that are good conductors, such as copper or aluminum, to create a barrier between the source of the field and the area that needs to be shielded.

5. How is electromagnetism used in everyday life?

Electromagnetism has many practical applications in our daily lives, such as in electrical and electronic devices, motors, generators, and power transmission. It is also used in medical imaging technologies like MRI and in communication systems like radios and cell phones.

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