Magnetism - the proportionality constant question

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of an equation used to calculate the magnetic field (B) generated by a current-carrying wire. Participants are exploring the origins of the equation, particularly questioning the presence of the constant 2π and its relation to the geometry involved.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand the derivation of the equation and the significance of the 2π constant. Some participants clarify that the equation relates to the magnetic field around a long wire and suggest that it arises from integrating Ampere's Law around a circular path.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights into the derivation of the magnetic field equation. There is a mix of clarifications and confirmations regarding the application of Ampere's Law and the Biot-Savart Law, but no explicit consensus has been reached on the original poster's question about the derivation.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of understanding the mathematical relationships in electromagnetism, specifically regarding the derivation of constants in magnetic field equations. The original poster expresses difficulty in finding resources that explain the derivation clearly.

dragon513
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Hi! Can anyone please tell me where this equation was derived from?
This equation is used to get the magnetic field (B).
I is current and r is the distance. And I think I understand the Meu. And yet I have no idea where the 2pi came from. I looked in my textbook, internet and asked friends but nobody seems to know.

Thank you!
 
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That is the magnitude of the magnetic field carried by a long wire. I think you meant r instead of y in the equation you displayed. You obtain it by simple application of Ampere's Law and the 2\pi r comes from integrating around a circle of radius r (i.e. it's the circumference of the circle).
 
Well, that's the magnetic field from an infinite straight wire, which you can get using Biot-Savart:

d\vec{B} = \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi} \frac{I \vec{dl} \times \hat{r}}{r^2}

Biot-Savart is derived from Ampere's Law:

\int_C \vec{B} \cdot \vec{dl} = \mu_0 \int_S \vec{J} \cdot \vec{da}
 
aha, thank you!
 

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