Magnetic field from a conductor using Law of Biot-Savart

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on applying the Law of Biot-Savart to calculate the magnetic field generated by a straight conductor carrying an electric current I. The equation used is B = (μ₀/4π) ∫ (Idl × ȓ) / r², where r is the distance from the conductor to the point of interest. The user attempts to set up the integral by defining the limits of integration and converting variables, specifically needing to express dl in terms of dy. The challenge lies in correctly integrating the expression while transitioning from dl to dy.

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Jon.G
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Homework Statement


An electric current I flows in a straight conductor of length L. Use the law of
Biot-Savart to find the magnetic field at a point lying on an axis going through the
centre of the conductor and perpendicular to the conductor.

Homework Equations


Law of Biot-Savart: B=\frac{\mu _{0}}{4\pi }\int \frac{Idl \times \widehat{r}}{r^{2}}


The Attempt at a Solution


Ok so this will be quite hard to explain my attempt so far without my diagram but here goes:
r=\sqrt{x^{2} + y^{2}} where y is the height up the conductor (the 'position' of dl), x is the distance from the conductor along the x-axis

Let L go from -a to +a,
then B=\frac{I \mu _{0}}{4\pi }\int^{+a}_{-a} \frac{dl \times \widehat{r}}{(x^{2} + y^{2})^{3/2}}
which is the same as
B=\frac{I \mu _{0}}{4\pi }\int^{2a}_{0} \frac{dl \times \widehat{r}}{(x^{2} + y^{2})^{3/2}}

Then it's the whole dl x r bit that gets me. I'm sure I have to change this into dy, and then Iknow how to integrate that.

but I can't figure out how to bring dy into the equation :(
 
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Where is the origin of your ##\left( x,y,z \right)## coordinates?
 
Last edited:
Isn't dl = jdy?
 

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