Ampere's Law - Showing that B at center is due only to wire

In summary, the conversation discussed a problem involving a long circular pipe with a current running through it and a wire parallel to the pipe. The goal was to find the magnitude and direction of the current in the wire in order for the net magnetic field at a point to have the same magnitude but opposite direction as the net magnetic field at the center of the pipe. The conversation also mentioned using Ampere's Law and the principle of superposition to solve the problem.
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Homework Statement



In Fig. 29-71, a long circular pipe with outside radius R = 2.6 cm carries a (uniformly distributed) current i =
8.00 mA into the page.A wire runs parallel to the pipe at a distance of 3.00R from center to center. Find the (a) magnitude and (b) direction (into or out of the page) of the current in the wire such that the net magnetic field at point P has the same magnitude as the net magnetic field at the center of the pipe but is in the opposite direction.

http://i.imgur.com/b5aCEF0.png

Homework Equations



Ampere's Law - ##\displaystyle\oint\vec{B}\cdot d \vec{s} = \mu_{0}i_{enc}##

The Attempt at a Solution



I know how to do this question already. Conceptually, we know that the magnetic field at the center of the pipe is due only to the wire. Set that equal to the total field at P and solve. What I'm having trouble understanding is how to show that the magnetic field at the center of the pipe is due only to the wire mathematically. If you draw an Amperian Loop with the center at the wire and passing through the center of the pipe (so radius 3R), the enclosed currents are from the wire and the little piece of arc from the pipe which does not imply that the magnetic field at the center is from the wire alone. So how can one show, mathematically, that at the center of the pipe, the magnetic field is only from the wire?
 
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You don't want to use that Amperian loop when considering both the wire and the pipe because you don't have symmetry to take advantage of.

Think about using the principle of superposition to calculate the field at the inside the pipe.
 

1. What is Ampere's Law?

Ampere's Law is a mathematical equation that relates the magnetic field around a closed loop to the electric current passing through that loop.

2. How does Ampere's Law show that the magnetic field at the center of a wire is only due to the wire itself?

Ampere's Law states that the integral of the magnetic field around a closed loop is equal to the permeability of free space multiplied by the electric current passing through the loop. When applied to a wire, the closed loop is chosen to be a circle around the wire. This shows that the magnetic field at the center of the wire is only due to the wire itself, as there is no current passing through the loop at the center.

3. What is the direction of the magnetic field at the center of a wire according to Ampere's Law?

Ampere's Law does not determine the direction of the magnetic field at the center of a wire. The direction of the magnetic field is determined by the right-hand rule, which states that if you point your thumb in the direction of the electric current, then your fingers will curl in the direction of the magnetic field.

4. Can Ampere's Law be used to find the magnetic field at a point outside of a wire?

Yes, Ampere's Law can be used to find the magnetic field at a point outside of a wire. This can be done by choosing a closed loop that passes through the point of interest and using the equation to calculate the magnetic field at that point.

5. What are some real-world applications of Ampere's Law?

Ampere's Law has many real-world applications, including the design of electromagnets, electric motors, and generators. It is also used in the study of plasma physics and in medical imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

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