Calculating Magnetic Field at Point P

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the magnetic field at point P, given specific distances a=R and b=2R. The user applied Ampere's Law, resulting in magnetic field calculations of B=μ0I/4πR for the outer circle and B=μ0*2I/πR for the inner circle. However, confusion arose regarding the combination of these two magnetic field values, as they did not match any provided multiple-choice answers. A suggestion was made to utilize the Biot-Savart Law instead of Ampere's Law for a more straightforward calculation at the center of a current loop.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Ampere's Law and its application in magnetic field calculations
  • Familiarity with the Biot-Savart Law for magnetic field determination
  • Basic knowledge of current loops and their magnetic effects
  • Ability to perform integration in the context of physics problems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the Biot-Savart Law for calculating magnetic fields around current loops
  • Review the principles of Ampere's Law and its limitations in complex geometries
  • Explore the relationship between current and magnetic field strength in circular loops
  • Practice solving magnetic field problems involving multiple current loops and their interactions
USEFUL FOR

Students studying electromagnetism, physics educators, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of magnetic field calculations in current-carrying conductors.

cuppy
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1. Homework Statement

What is the magnitude of the magnetic field at point P if a=R and b=2R (see attached image)

2. Homework Equations
Ampere's Law where integral of B ds over a closed surface = μ0I where μ0= 4πx10-7


3. The Attempt at a Solution

I used the formula and found after integrating (ds becomes 2*Pi*2R the circumference of the circle) that for the outer circle (radius 2R) B= μ0I/4*Pi*R

I then thought that the current through the inner circle would be in the same ratio as that of the areas of the two circles.
So inner current/outer current = Pi*(2R)^2/Pi*R^2
so inner current = 4I

i then subsituted this into my integral for the inner circle using Ampere's Law and found B for the inner circle to be equal to μ0*4I/2*Pi*R which simplifies to μ0*2I/Pi*R

the next step is what I'm having problems with as I'm not 100% certain as to what to do with these two values of B i have found. current flows in the same direction in both so i thought id have to add one B to the other but none of these answers show up in the five multiple choice options so i must have gone wrong somewhere. have i perhaps missed a crucial step along the way or was my working out in the first place off the mark? any advice would be great

cheers :smile:
 

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I can't quite follow the path that you are integrating over. Rather that attempt to use Ampere's law, why not use the Biot_Savart law to calculate the magnetic field at the center of a current loop. Unless you happen to the know the formula already.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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