How Do Magnetic Fields and Forces Behave Around Infinite Wires?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of magnetic fields and forces generated by two infinitely long parallel wires carrying currents. The original poster presents a problem involving the calculation of the magnetic field at a point on the z-axis and the direction of the force on a positive charge moving along that axis.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of the magnetic field using the Biot-Savart law and question the signs and components of the magnetic field vectors. There is uncertainty about the presence of a z-component in the magnetic field and the interpretation of the right-hand rule for determining the direction of the magnetic field.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing corrections and clarifications regarding the magnetic field directions. There is an ongoing exploration of the relationships between the currents and the resulting magnetic fields, as well as the forces acting on charges in the magnetic field.

Contextual Notes

There is some confusion regarding the notation and values used in the calculations, particularly concerning the distances and their representation in the equations. Participants are also questioning the assumptions made about the directions of the magnetic fields and the application of the right-hand rule.

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Homework Statement



Two infinitely long wires run parallel to the z-axis. Wire a is 5.0 cm along the y-direction from the z-axis and carries a current of 1.5 A out of the page. Wire b is 10.0 cm long along the x-direction from the z-axis carries a current of 0.5 A into the page.

a) calculate the magnetic field at a point on the z-axis. Express your answer in unit vector notation.

b) What would be the direction of the force on a positive charge moving out of the page along the z-axis. Give your answer as an angle measured from the positive y-axis.



r1 = 0.05 m
r2 = 0.1 m
I1 = 1.5 A ( out of the page )
I2 = 0.5 A ( into the page )


Homework Equations



B =( mu * I ) / ( 2*Pi*R )

F = q ( v x B )


The Attempt at a Solution



a ) Bz = B1 + B2
= mu/2*Pi [ (- I1/ r1 ) ( -0.05 j ) + ( I2 / r2 ) ( -0.1 i ) ]
= (9.42*10^-7j - 3.14*10^-7i ) T

Is my calculations right ? I'm not sure if there's a z component, but I first thought that there will be a -z and +z from the current directions. I placed I1 with a -ve sign because it's going into the page.



b) Since there the charge is moving in the z-axis ( k ), the direction of the force is in the +i direction and -j direction . I'm not sure if I did the right answer in a) to solve for b).

Thanks
 
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Hooke's Law said:
a ) Bz = B1 + B2
= mu/2*Pi [ (- I1/ r1 ) ( -0.05 j ) + ( I2 / r2 ) ( -0.1 i ) ]
= (9.42*10^-7j - 3.14*10^-7i ) T

Due to wire1 field won't be in -Y axis
it will be in +X axis

here's how to find the direction of field:
[URL]http://flightline.highline.edu/iglozman/classes/physnotes/media/magstraight.gif[/URL]

and also correct for wire2

and why have you written r1 and .05 separately?
r1=.05 and it will be in denominator.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
cupid.callin said:
Due to wire1 field won't be in -Y axis
it will be in +X axis

here's how to find the direction of field:
[URL]http://flightline.highline.edu/iglozman/classes/physnotes/media/magstraight.gif[/URL]

and also correct for wire2

and why have you written r1 and .05 separately?
r1=.05 and it will be in denominator.

r1 is the distance r, and 0.05 is the vector in y-direction. They both have the same values.
I tried the diagram that you showed me, and I get wire A in -y direction, while wire B will be +X direction. I'm not sure if I'm doing my right hand right with the diagram because of the rotating magnetic field which could either be in X or Y direction..could you please explain how? Or with the curl, how do you know the direction of the magnetic field (if it is in X or Y direction)?

Thanks
 
Last edited by a moderator:
cupid.callin said:
and why have you written r1 and .05 separately?
r1=.05 and it will be in denominator.

Should there be values for i ( hat ) and j ( hat )?
 

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