Magnetic field due to a current

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on deriving the magnetic field due to an infinite current-carrying wire using Ampere's law and Biot-Savart's law. The formula derived from Ampere's law is B = μ₀I / (2πd), while the attempt using Biot-Savart's law yields B = μ₀I / (4πd), leading to confusion regarding the factor of 2. Participants clarify that the magnetic field's direction is orthogonal to the radial distance from the wire and that only the orthogonal projection of the point contributes to the magnetic field at point P.

PREREQUISITES
  • Ampere's Law
  • Biot-Savart Law
  • Vector calculus
  • Understanding of magnetic fields
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  • Explore the applications of Biot-Savart's Law for different geometries.
  • Learn about the right-hand rule for determining the direction of magnetic fields.
  • Investigate the implications of infinite wire models in electromagnetic theory.
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Homework Statement


I set up myself to derive the formula of the magnetic field due to a current I carried by an infinite wire. At a point P situated at a distance d from the wire.


Homework Equations


Ampere's law and Biot-Savart's law.


The Attempt at a Solution


With Ampere's law, it's simple: \oint \vec B d\vec l = \mu _0 I, thus B=\frac{\mu _0 I}{2 \pi d} and its direction is easy to figure out thanks to the right hand rule.
I'm having problems with Biot and Savart's law.
d\vec B =\frac{\mu _0}{4\pi} I d\vec l \times \frac{\vec r}{r^3}\Rightarrow \vec B=\frac{\mu _0}{4 \pi} \oint I d\vec l \times \frac{\vec r}{r^3}, thus B=\frac{\mu _0 I}{4 \pi d}. I don't see how I can get a factor 2 in this result, to make it coincide with the anterior result.

Aside question: If I understand well, an infinitesimal length dl of the wire contributes to the magnetic field only in an orthogonal plane to it, right? So that it doesn't contribute to points out of this plane, right?

Thanks for all.
 
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How can you do a closed integral if the wire is from - infinity to + infinity. I think that there could be a factor of two also in that integral. because your wire is infinitely long, any point d could be said to be in the middle of the wire. So you would want to take the integral from -infinity to +infinity, which could be equal to twice the integral from 0 to infinity.

And I'm pretty sure the magnitude depends on the radial distance from the wire, and always acts orthogonal to that radial vector
 
dacruick said:
How can you do a closed integral if the wire is from - infinity to + infinity. I think that there could be a factor of two also in that integral. because your wire is infinitely long, any point d could be said to be in the middle of the wire. So you would want to take the integral from -infinity to +infinity, which could be equal to twice the integral from 0 to infinity.
Because as I implied, I believe that the only part of the wire that contributes to the magnetic field at point P is the orthogonal projection of P into the wire. In other words, almost all the wire doesn't create the magnetic field at point P.
I wanted to know if I'm right on this.

And I'm pretty sure the magnitude depends on the radial distance from the wire, and always acts orthogonal to that radial vector
I'm also sure of that! Look at my formula. The d is the distance from the wire to the point P.
 
if only one part of the wire contributes you shouldn't be doing an integral at all right?
 
dacruick said:
if only one part of the wire contributes you shouldn't be doing an integral at all right?

Hmm ok... I'm (very) confused.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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