# Lorrentz force law & vector notation

1. Aug 22, 2014

### Roodles01

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A current element is 3.0mm long, centerd on the origin of cartesian coordinates, and carries a current of 2.5A in the direction ez.
What field does it produce at the point (3.0, 0, 4.0)

2. Relevant equations
This is obviously a Lorentz force law question
so . . . ∂B = (I ∂I (r-r0)) / I r-r0 I^3

where B = magnetic field
I - current
r - point of origin
r0 - point being considered

3. The attempt at a solution
B = 4∏x10^-7 / 4∏ x 2.5A x 3.0x10^-3 )(ez(3ex + 4ez)) /5^3

cancelling 4∏'s
B = 10^-7 x 2.5A x 3.0x10^-3 (ez(3ex + 4ez)) /5^3

The number bit is easy, but the problem I have is the vector notation.

Please, how do I do the (ez(3ex + 4ez)) /5^3 bit?

I have the final answer as
1.8x10^-11 T ey
[

2. Aug 22, 2014

### milesyoung

I might be missing something, but shouldn't you be considering the Biot–Savart law instead?

It seems to me like you're being asked to determine the magnetic field produced by a current and not the force on a point charge in an EM field.

Edit: I see hints of the Biot–Savart law in your expressions, so I guess it was just a typo.

If you start out with the differential:
$$d\mathbf{B} = \frac{u_0}{4\pi}\frac{I d\mathbf{s}\times \mathbf{\hat{r}}}{r^2}$$
where $d\mathbf{s}$ is directed along the current and $\mathbf{\hat{r}}$ is a unit vector towards the point you're considering.

Then since $d\mathbf{s}\times \mathbf{\hat{r}}$ is always directed along $\mathbf{e}_y$, you have:
$$d\mathbf{B} = \frac{u_0}{4\pi}\frac{I |d\mathbf{s}\times \mathbf{\hat{r}}|}{r^2}\mathbf{e}_y$$
The problem is then to find expressions for $d\mathbf{s}$ and $r$ in terms of a common variable you can use to integrate over the whole of the current element.

Any help?

Last edited: Aug 22, 2014