B field intensity of 2 parallel wires

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the magnetic field intensity at a point equidistant from two parallel wires carrying equal anti-parallel currents. The initial assumption that the magnetic field would be zero was incorrect, as the components of the field in the y-direction cancel out while the x-direction components add. The formula used for the magnetic field intensity was questioned, particularly the inclusion of a "3/2" exponent in the denominator, which was deemed incorrect. An arithmetic error in the calculations was also identified, leading to discrepancies in the final answer. Proper evaluation of the magnetic field intensity requires careful attention to the formula and accurate arithmetic.
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Homework Statement


Two long parallel wires are a center-to-center distance of 4.60 cm apart and carry equal anti-parallel currents of 4.40 A. Find the magnetic field intensity at the point P which is equidistant from the wires. (R = 4.00 cm).



Homework Equations


magnetic field for a long straight wire = μi/2*pi*r


The Attempt at a Solution


at first i thought it was just 0 T since the current is in opposite directions but that was wrong. so i worked it out and saw that the y components cancel out and you're left with the 2 x directions components. so i thought B = \frac{2*μ*i*cos(theta)}{2*pi*r}

where cos(theta) = R/r
where r = sqrt(R2+(d/2)2)

this didnt work out for me. my answer was 7.1665340225x10^(-4) T and it said it was wrong

B= \frac{2*4*pi*10^-7*4.4*.04}{2*pi*(R^2+(d/2)^2)^(3/2)}

anything i did wrong, plugged in wrong numbers or what?
 

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I see two problems:

1. I don't see where the "3/2" exponent comes from in your denominator, the units do not work out properly with that exponent there.

2. It appears you made an arithmetic mistake in evaluating your expression -- I get a different number for the expression you wrote, but as I indicated I don't think the 3/2 exponent there is correct anyway.
 
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