How Do You Calculate the Current in Each Wire When a Charge Moves Between Them?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the current in two infinitely long wires that are separated by a distance of 1.4 meters, with a charge moving between them. The charge is influenced by the magnetic fields generated by the currents in the wires, and the net force acting on the charge is provided.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of equations related to magnetic fields and forces, questioning how to incorporate the effects of both wires on the charge. There is an exploration of how to calculate the magnetic field at the charge's location and how to relate it to the currents in the wires.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on finding the magnetic fields generated by each wire and suggested using the difference of these fields to solve for the currents. There is a recognition of the need to calculate the magnetic fields at the charge's position, but no consensus on the complete method has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of the problem statement, which includes specific values for distance, charge, and velocity, but there may be uncertainties regarding the application of the equations to both wires simultaneously.

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Homework Statement


Two infinitely long wires are separated by a distance of d = 1.4 meters. Both have current running in the positive y direction. A charge of q = +2.7 micro-Coulombs is moving in the positive y direction at v = 3.1 E 6 m/s a distance of r = 0.22 meters from the wire on the left as shown in the diagram. The net force from both wires on the charge is in the x direction with a magnitude of 53 E -6 Newtons. What is the current in each wire in amps?

Two vertical wires. A charge q is .22 meters from the left wire. The Velocity vector is in the positive y direction, and the Fb vector is in the negative x direction, perpendicular to the velocity vector. The second vertical wire is 1.4 meters away from the first.

Homework Equations


Fb= qvb sin theta
B= u0 I / 2 pi r

The Attempt at a Solution


I know these two equations must be used, but I'm not sure what to do with both wires. Do I need to apply the charge to each of the wires and do something with that?

First, do I find B by doing B= Fb/ qv sin 90. Is this correct so far?

Thanks in advance.
 
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Since the currents in the wires are in the same direction, magnetic field at any point between the two wires is the difference of the fields due to each wire.
You have written the expression for the net field B. Now find B1 and B2 at the given point.
Using B = B1 - B2, solve for the current.
 
rl.bhat said:
Since the currents in the wires are in the same direction, magnetic field at any point between the two wires is the difference of the fields due to each wire.
You have written the expression for the net field B. Now find B1 and B2 at the given point.
Using B = B1 - B2, solve for the current.

Does B1 = u0 I / 2 pi r, where r is the distance from the point to wire 1, and B2 is the same, but with r= the distance from the charge to the second wire?
 
yankeekd25 said:
Does B1 = u0 I / 2 pi r, where r is the distance from the point to wire 1, and B2 is the same, but with r= the distance from the charge to the second wire?
Yes.
 
rl.bhat said:
Yes.

Thank you very much!
 

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