# Homework Help: Determining the magnetic torque on a loop

1. Mar 23, 2010

### warfreak131

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

A current $$I$$ flows in a plane rectangular current loop with height a and horizontal sides b. The loop is placed into a uniform magnetic field $$\vec{B}$$ in such a way that the sides of length a are perpendicular to $$\vec{B}$$ (Part A 1 figure), and there is an angle $$\theta$$ between the sides of length $$b$$ and $$\vec{B}$$ (Part A 2 figure).

Calculate $$\tau$$, the magnitude of the torque about the vertical axis of the current loop due to the interaction of the current through the loop with the magnetic field.
Express the magnitude of the torque in terms of the given variables. You will need a trigonomeric function [e.g., $$\sin(\theta)$$ or $$\cos(\theta)$$]. Use $$B$$ for the magnitude of the magnetic field.

Figure A 1

Figure A 2

2. Relevant equations

$$\tau=IAB\sin(\theta)$$ (Assuming only 1 loop of wire)

3. The attempt at a solution

I know that the area is $$a{\cdot}b$$, the current is $$I$$, the field is $$B$$, and the angle is $$\theta$$. I put my answer in as

$$\tau=I(a{\cdot}b)B\sin(\theta)$$

the feedback on my answer said to check my trigonometry, so I changed my answer to be the cosine instead of the sine and it was correct. Why is this? What is theta supposed to be the angle in between?

2. Mar 23, 2010

### kuruman

In the expression

$$\tau=IAB\sin(\theta)$$

angle θ is the angle between the magnetic field and the normal to the plane of the loop.

3. Mar 23, 2010

### warfreak131

so would the normal be a line perpendicular to the plane assuming its a top down view, like in figure 2?

4. Mar 23, 2010

### kuruman

Yes, it would be down and to the right in figure 2 as required by the right hand rule for the current shown. In short, it is the direction of the magnetic dipole moment associated with the current loop.

5. Mar 23, 2010

### warfreak131

oh i see, so the equivalent answer would be IABsin(90-theta)) which is teh same as IABcos(theta)?

6. Mar 24, 2010

### kuruman

Precisely.

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