Force between Two Current-Carrying Wires

  • Thread starter Thread starter Peter G.
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Force Wires
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The force between two current-carrying wires is determined by the direction of the currents. When the currents flow in the same direction, the wires experience an attractive force. Conversely, when the currents flow in opposite directions, the force is repulsive. This behavior is a direct consequence of Ampère's force law, which describes the magnetic interaction between the wires based on their current flow.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Ampère's force law
  • Basic knowledge of magnetic fields
  • Familiarity with current flow in electrical circuits
  • Concept of magnetic field lines
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Ampère's force law in detail
  • Explore the concept of magnetic fields around current-carrying conductors
  • Study the right-hand rule for determining the direction of magnetic forces
  • Investigate practical applications of current-carrying wire interactions in electrical engineering
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of electromagnetism and the interactions between current-carrying conductors.

Peter G.
Messages
439
Reaction score
0
Hi,

I always had difficulty with understanding how to determine whether the force between two current-carrying wires is attractive or repulsive. I know that if the currents are traveling in the same direction the force is attractive and repulsive if the currents are traveling in opposite directions, but, why?

Can anyone maybe direct me to a website that explains this well or just provide an explanation?

Thanks in advance!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

Force between poles of two magnets
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Electromagnetism question -- Forces between two current carrying wires
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Force between Parallel Current Carrying Wires
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Force between two halves of a current carrying hollow cylinder
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
547
Magnets near a current carrying wire
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Compass Behavior Near Parallel Current-Carrying Wires
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Multiple choice Q: Mangetic fields and Spring Constant
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Magnetic Forces on infinite current-carrying wires
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Forces of a straight wire on a semi-circular wire loop (Magnetism)
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Force between two current carrying wires
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K