Current Loop in Magnetic Field

[doublemint]

Given a square loop of wire centered at the origin and the coordinate axes is such that x is the to the right, z is to the top, and y is through the page (or screen). The plane of the loop will lie in the x-y plane. There is a magnetic field in the x direction. If the loop is fixed on the y-axis then it will rotate.
The question I have is what difference does it make if I have the original setup (above) compared to having one side of the loop on the y-axis and rotating around there? More specifically, would the forces be the same on each segment wire in each case?

Thanks
DoubleMint

 

[jbsteele]

The forces on the segments of the wire in each case will generally be different, since the magnetic field in each case will interact differently with the loop. In the first case, when the loop is fixed on the y-axis, the magnetic field will interact with the whole loop, causing it to rotate around the axis. On the other hand, when one side of the loop is on the y-axis and rotating around it, the magnetic field will interact mainly with the portion of the loop that is closest to the y-axis, resulting in a different force on the segments of the wire.