How Does a Compass React to a Current-Carrying Wire?

AI Thread Summary
A long current-carrying wire oriented North-South causes a compass above it to deflect 10 degrees to the West due to the magnetic field it generates. The horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field at the location is approximately 2e-5 tesla. The magnetic field due to the wire can be calculated using the formula B(wire)=10^-7(2*I)/r. The user initially calculated the net magnetic field (Bnet) but is unsure about the next steps to find the current (I) and the magnetic field at a distance of 2.9 cm from the wire. Clarification on the calculations for Bnet is also requested to ensure accuracy.
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Homework Statement


A long current-carrying wire, oriented North-South, lies on a table (it is connected to batteries which are not shown). A compass lies on top of the wire, with the compass needle about 3 mm above the wire. With the current running, the compass deflects 10 degrees to the West. At this location, the horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field is about 2e-5 tesla.

What is the magnitude of the magnetic field at location A, on the table top, a distance 2.9 cm to the East of the wire, due only to the current in the wire?


Homework Equations


B(wire)=10^-7(2*I)/r
Bnet = Bearth + Bwire


The Attempt at a Solution


I know Bearth = 2e-5, and taking into account that Bnet would be the deflection, I obtained 2.0308e-5 for Bnet, and hence, Bwire would equal to 3.08532e-7. I don't really know where to go from here.
Thanks in advance.
 
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Well, you've calculated Bwire at r=3mm, so what does that make I? what does that make bwire at r=2.9cm?

Edit- you might also want to show us your calculation of Bnet, because I don't think it is correct.
 
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