Determining Radius from Magnetic Field of a Single-Wire Loop

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the radius and current of a single-turn wire loop producing a magnetic field of 41.2 μT at its center and 5.15 nT on its axis, located 26.0 cm from the loop center. The relevant equation used is derived from the Biot-Savart Law, specifically the formula for the axial magnetic field. Participants clarify the unconventional notation used by the original poster (OP) and provide guidance on rearranging the equation to isolate the radius (R). The consensus is that the OP's approach is valid, and they should focus on manipulating the equation correctly to find R.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Biot-Savart Law
  • Knowledge of magnetic field calculations
  • Familiarity with algebraic manipulation of equations
  • Basic concepts of electromagnetism
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Biot-Savart Law in detail
  • Learn how to calculate magnetic fields for different geometries
  • Practice algebraic techniques for isolating variables in equations
  • Explore applications of magnetic fields in physics problems
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in physics, particularly those focusing on electromagnetism and magnetic field calculations, as well as anyone tackling similar problems involving wire loops and magnetic fields.

frankifur
Messages
3
Reaction score
3
Homework Statement
A single-turn wire loop produces a magnetic field of 41.2 μT at its center, and 5.15 nT on its axis, at 26.0 cm from the loop center.

a. Find the radius

b. Find the current
Relevant Equations
Biot-Savart Law
So I thought I knew how to do this problem but I've run into some issues that make the algebra feel impossible and I am beginning to feel like I'm taking the wrong approach, I ended up rewriting it in a doc because I was concerned maybe my handwriting was the cause of my error so the work is attached.
 

Attachments

Physics news on Phys.org
frankifur said:
Homework Statement: A single-turn wire loop produces a magnetic field of 41.2 μT at its center, and 5.15 nT on its axis, at 26.0 cm from the loop center.

a. Find the radius

b. Find the current
Relevant Equations: Biot-Savart Law

So I thought I knew how to do this problem but I've run into some issues that make the algebra feel impossible and I am beginning to feel like I'm taking the wrong approach, I ended up rewriting it in a doc because I was concerned maybe my handwriting was the cause of my error so the work is attached.
sin for the axial component? Are you sure?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: frankifur
haruspex said:
sin for the axial component? Are you sure?
Looks OK to me. Angle ##\theta##, indicated by an arc in the small upper triangle, is equal to the angle indicated by an arc in the larger triangle. The symbols used by the OP to define the sine as ##R/x## are a bit unconventional.
Screen Shot 2023-04-06 at 7.40.00 AM.png
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: frankifur
To @frankifur:
Note that $$B_{axis}=\frac{B_{center}R^3}{\left[R^2+z^2 \right]^{3/2}}=\frac{B_{center}\cancel{R^3}}{\cancel{R^3}\left[1+(z/R)^2 \right]^{3/2}}.$$Does this help?
 
You don't need to expand the paranthesis. Just take the cubic root of both sides and you have an eqution in R2. Or, if you rearange it as suggested by Kuruman, move the Bcenter
back to the left hand side and take the root of order 3/2. The field values are given numbers.
 

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
857
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K