Magnetic field from a square loop

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the magnetic field at a point along the axis of a square loop of wire carrying a current. The original poster presents a specific formula for the magnetic field based on the geometry of the loop and the distance from its center.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive the magnetic field using the Biot-Savart law and expresses confusion regarding the components of the magnetic field vector. Participants discuss the angles involved in the calculation of the magnetic field and how they relate to the geometry of the problem.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, clarifying the angles that the magnetic field makes with the x-axis. There is a sense of progress as one participant indicates that they have resolved their confusion regarding the angle by considering a simpler case.

Contextual Notes

There is an emphasis on understanding the symmetry of the problem and how it affects the resultant magnetic field. The discussion reflects an exploration of assumptions regarding the angles involved in the calculation.

Potatochip911
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Homework Statement


A wire is formed into the shape of a square of edge length L. Show that when the current in
the loop is I, the magnetic field at point P a distance x from the center of the square along its axis is $$B=\frac{\mu_0 IL^2}{2\pi(x^2+L^2/4)\sqrt{x^2+L^2/2}}$$
Capture2.png


Homework Equations


##d\vec{B}=\frac{\mu_0}{4\pi}\frac{I\vec{ds}\times\hat{r}}{r^2}##

The Attempt at a Solution


Capture2.png
[/B]
##d\vec{B}=\frac{\mu_0}{4\pi}\frac{I\vec{ds}\sin\theta}{r^2}## where ##\theta## is the angle between ##\hat{r}## and ##\vec{ds}## therefore ##\sin\theta=\sqrt{\frac{x^2+L^2/4}{z^2+x^2+L^2/4}}##
From the symmetry of the problem it's clear that only the components parallel to ##x## will be leftover which seem to be given by ##\sin\phi## but in the solution they are given by ##\cos\phi## which doesn't make any sense to me.
 

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What angle does ##d\vec{B}## make to the x axis?
 
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TSny said:
What angle does ##d\vec{B}## make to the x axis?
Okay I got the angle it makes with the x-axis from the most basic case where ##x=0##

On one side of the x-axis all angles must add up to ##\pi## therefore (where x is the angle between ##d\vec{B}## and the x axis):
$$
\pi=(\pi/2-\phi)+\pi/2+x\Longrightarrow x=\phi
$$

Thanks it makes sense now!
 
Potatochip911 said:
On one side of the x-axis all angles must add up to ##\pi## therefore (where x is the angle between ##d\vec{B}## and the x axis):
$$
\pi=(\pi/2-\phi)+\pi/2+x\Longrightarrow x=\phi
$$

Yes. Nice.
 
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