Magnetic Field due to a curved wire

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the magnetic field at the center of a right-angle bend in a long straight wire carrying current I, using the Biot-Savart Law. The magnetic field due to the arc is derived as $$B = \frac{\mu I}{8 r}$$ for the quarter-circle segment, while the contribution from the straight segments is calculated as $$B = \frac{\mu I}{4 \pi r}$$ each, leading to a total magnetic field of $$B = \frac{\mu I}{8 \pi r} (\pi + 4)$$. The participants clarify the integration process and address a potential oversight in the final equation's denominator.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Biot-Savart Law
  • Knowledge of magnetic fields generated by current-carrying conductors
  • Familiarity with integration techniques in physics
  • Concept of superposition in magnetic fields
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the Biot-Savart Law in different geometries
  • Learn about magnetic field calculations for various wire configurations
  • Explore the concept of magnetic field superposition in complex circuits
  • Investigate the effects of wire curvature on magnetic field strength
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in electromagnetic theory and magnetic field calculations related to current-carrying wires.

Dewgale
Messages
98
Reaction score
9

Homework Statement


A very long straight wire carries current I. In the middle of the wire a right-angle bbend is made. The bend forms an arc of a circle of radius r, as shown in the figure below. Determine the magnetic field at the center of the arc.

picassignment13.png


Homework Equations


Biot-Savart Law:
##dB = \frac{ \mu (I ds) \times r}{4 \pi r^3}##

The Attempt at a Solution



Since $$B = \frac{\mu}{4 \pi} \int_a^b{\frac{[I ds] \times r}{r^3}},$$ notice that the curve is 1/4 of a circle. Therefore, we can integrate from 0 to ##2 \pi r## and then divide by 4. Therefore, it becomes $$B = \frac{\mu}{4 \pi} \int_0^\frac{\pi r}{2}{\frac{I r sin(90)}{r^3}ds}$$ which simplifies down to $$B = \frac{\mu I}{8 r}$$

The issue that arises now is what to do about the parts that don't form a 90 degree angle with the centre of the arc. I'm unsure about this, but my main thought is this. The magnetic field due to an infinite length of wire is $$B = \frac{\mu I}{2 \pi r}$$ Since each of these segments is only half of such an infinite wire, their magnetic fields ought to each be $$B = \frac{\mu I}{4 \pi r}$$ But since there are two, they ought to add back together by the superposition principle, and by said principle the magnitude of the magnetic field at said point ought to be $$B = \frac{\mu I}{8 r} \ \ + \ \ \frac{\mu I}{2 \pi r}$$ or $$B = \frac{\mu I}{8 \pi r} (\pi +4)$$
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
That all looks right to me, except I think you left something out of the denominator in the final equation.
 
haruspex said:
That all looks right to me, except I think you left something out of the denominator in the final equation.
Oh yeah, I missed the ##\pi##. Thanks!
 
No he did not. Because if you integrate along the circle line pi cancels out..
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
631
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
708
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K