Ampere's Law

simplicity12

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Calculate the magnitude of the magnetic field at a point midway between two long, parallel wires thar are 1.0 m apart and have currents of 10.0 A and 20.0 A, respectively, if the currents are:
a) In opposite directions and
b) in the same direction


2. Relevant equations
B=kI/(2 pi X r)
B is the magnetic field
k is the proportionality constant... 4pi X 10^-7
and r is the radius


3. The attempt at a solution
When it said that the currents move in opposite directions, i thought that the magnetic field at a point is B(net)= B(2) - B(1), and i got 4.0 X 10^-6 T. When it said that the currents move in the same direction, i did B(net)= B(2) + B(1), and i ended up getting 1.2 X 10^-5 T. But the answer at the back of the book is the opposite, the answer that i got for a turns out to be the answer for b and vice versa... are my equations wrong?

enricfemi

in fact , you are wrong in directions. try use you right hand to sure when to add or minus

enricfemi

so you calculation must be all right , conside more about it:

enricfemi

you must distinguish between the diretions of currents and magnetic field .

remember the magnetic field is vector field,its directions has complicated relation with the currents.

does that help, my pretty baby?

simplicity12

thank you very much enricfemi! :D