Finding the magnitude of a magnetic field from a square loop

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the magnitude of the magnetic field at the center of a square loop carrying current. The loop has sides of length L and carries a current i, with the magnetic permeability μ0 mentioned as relevant to the calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using the Biot-Savart law to find the magnetic field produced by straight segments of wire, suggesting an integration approach for the total field from the square loop. There is also mention of the challenges posed by the square shape compared to a circular loop.

Discussion Status

Some participants are exploring different methods to approach the problem, including breaking down the square loop into straight segments. There is acknowledgment of confusion regarding the setup and calculations, but no consensus has been reached on a specific method or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the application of known equations and the complexity introduced by the square shape of the loop compared to simpler geometries like a circle.

Patdon10
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Homework Statement


A square loop, with sides of length L, carries current i. Find the magnitude of the magnetic field from the loop at the center of the loop, as a function of i and L. (Use any variable or symbol stated above along with the following as necessary: μ0.)


Homework Equations



magnetic field outside of a conductor:
u_0*I*r/A


The Attempt at a Solution



I got u_0*I*L/L^2

Not really sure what I should be doing differently? If it was in the shape of a circle it'd be easy, but because it's in a square, it's harder.
 
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I think the easiest way would be to try to solve the problem of finding the magnetic field produced by a straight current-carrying piece of wire of length L. Try to find the field at a point a distance x from the wire on its perpendicular bisector. You can do this by splitting the wire into infinitessimal lengths dl and then use the Biot and Savart law to calculate the field produced by dl. Then integrate along the length of the wire to find the total.

I think you should get

B = \frac{\mu_{0}I}{4\pi}\frac{L}{x\sqrt{x^{2}+(L/2)^{2} }}.
Now you've done the hard part it's just a matter of adding the fields from each of the 4 sides of the loop.
 
It seems pretty confusing, but I'll try it out and see what happens.
 
Patdon10 said:
It seems pretty confusing, but I'll try it out and see what happens.
I think that is the easiest way to do it. If you are trying to find the field from shapes like this then presumably you've covered the field from a straight current-carrying wire?

Patdon10 said:
If it was in the shape of a circle it'd be easy, but because it's in a square, it's harder.
How would you do it for a circle?
 

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