Infinite wire -- Magnetic field from a current in a long L-shaped wire

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the magnetic field generated by a long L-shaped wire with current, focusing on points at specific distances from the wire segments. Participants suggest using Biot-Savart Law or Ampere's Law for the calculations. There is debate about whether to treat the wire segments as semi-infinite or to separate them into two distinct segments for analysis. It is clarified that Biot-Savart can be applied generally, and it is recommended to perform a single integral for each straight segment rather than dividing them. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly applying these laws to achieve accurate results.
Hubbles
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Homework Statement


A long wire with a current changes direction by 90 degrees. Calculate the magnetic field at the point at a perpendicular distance of S from the wire before it changed direction and a distance of T from the segment of the wire after it changed direction.

Homework Equations


I suspect Biot-Savart or perhaps Ampere's law.

The Attempt at a Solution


I thought about separating the two perpendicular wire segments to manage them as separate semi infinite wires. But by doing that I encounter some problems. Using Amperes law and basically halving the field of a true infinite wire I don't take into account the whole wire segment. Doing it that way only works if the semi infinite segment extends from a perpendicular line connected to the point we measure, right?
 
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Hubbles said:
Doing it that way only works if the semi infinite segment extends from a perpendicular line connected to the point we measure, right?
Yes.
 
Could you treat it as two half infinite wires with Biot-Savart and add two finite segments on top of that? Or just two semi infinites from the correct distance. But then again I'm not sure how well Biot-Savart handles semi infinites.
 
Hubbles said:
Could you treat it as two half infinite wires with Biot-Savart and add two finite segments on top of that? Or just two semi infinites from the correct distance. But then again I'm not sure how well Biot-Savart handles semi infinites.
You write as though Biot-Savart only applies to (half) infinite wires. It is a quite general integral.
There is no benefit in dividing each straight segment into two separate integrals. Just do one integral for each straight segment. It is not difficult.
 
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