Force on wire due to magnetic field

by nickclarson
Tags: field, force, magnetic, wire
 P: 32 1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data A straight segment of a current-carrying wire has a current element IL where I = 2.70 A and L = 2.60 cm i + 4.40 cm j. The segment is in a region with a uniform magnetic field given by 1.36 T i. Find the force on the segment of wire. (Give the x, y, and z components.) 2. Relevant equations $$\theta = tan^{-1}(y/x)$$ $$F = ILBsin\theta$$ 3. The attempt at a solution Well I am pretty sure there will be no x or y component because the force will be perpendicular in the z direction. To find the z component I found the angle between the wire and the mag field using: $$tan^{-1}(4.4/2.6) = 59.421$$ After that I thought you are just supposed to plug everything in: $$2.7A * .05111m * 1.36 * sin(59.421) = .1615N$$ But it's wrong!! I'm not sure what I am doing wrong, the book I am using isn't very good ad explaining. I'm sure it's something simple that I am just overlooking. Thanks, Nick 1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data 2. Relevant equations 3. The attempt at a solution
 P: 32 CANCEL that. I just had the wrong sign. I understand why it should be negative now. This thread can be deleted.

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