Magnetic Effect of an Electric Current

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the magnetic effect of an electric current in two vertically suspended wires connected in series. When a direct current flows through the wires, they repel each other due to opposite current directions, as described by the equation F = iL x B. If the current source is switched to an alternating current (AC), the wires continue to repel each other, although low-frequency AC may cause vibrations due to periods of zero current. This behavior illustrates fundamental principles of electromagnetism and the interaction of magnetic fields generated by electric currents.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic electromagnetism principles
  • Familiarity with the equation F = iL x B
  • Knowledge of direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) characteristics
  • Concept of magnetic fields generated by electric currents
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the principles of electromagnetism in depth
  • Learn about the effects of AC frequency on electrical circuits
  • Investigate the applications of magnetic repulsion in engineering
  • Study the behavior of magnetic fields in various configurations of current-carrying conductors
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in the practical applications of electromagnetism and electric current interactions.

tua28494
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Two long straight wires are suspended vertically the wires are connected in series and a current from a battery is maintained in them. What happens to the wires? What happens if the battery is replaced by an a-c source.

This is a crude schematic of the circuit.

----|i|i----
| ` ` ` ` `| so what this shows is that the veritcal wires are geometricaly
| ` ` ` ` `| parallel. This circuit is not a rigid body either, the wires are not
| ` ` ` ` `| fixed to their initial positions and can act accordingly to the
| ` ` ` ` `| forces applied to them.
|________|

EQUATIONS:
F= iLxB vector quantities.


Alright what I think is that the current's directions are opposite in each blue vertical wire. the forces acting on each wire due to the other are directed outward. So I would say the wires repel.

Im unsure about this but even though the current is alternating, since the wires are in parallel the current will still be going down on and up the other resulting in the wires repelling each other.
 
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You are correct! If the AC frequency was very low, you would see some vibration because the current is close to zero for part of each cycle.
 

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