Magnetic field from four parallel wires

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The discussion revolves around calculating the magnetic field generated by four parallel wires carrying currents in different directions. The user seeks guidance on applying Biot-Savart's law to derive an expression for the magnetic field gradient, particularly considering small displacements from the center. A suggestion is made to superimpose the magnetic fields from each wire, acknowledging that the currents' directions will require careful addition and subtraction of the individual fields. The user is encouraged to express the final result in terms of the x and y components of the magnetic fields from the four wires. This approach aims to simplify the calculation and achieve the desired expression for the magnetic field gradient.
Niles
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Homework Statement


Hi

I am looking at four parallel wires of finite length L, whose currents run in the directions shown in the attached figure. There is no gradient along the wire-axis, so from Maxwell's equation
<br /> \frac{dB_x}{dx} = -\frac{dB_y}{dy} \equiv \tilde B.<br />
In order to find an expression for the gradient \tilde B given some current I, I need to use Biot-Savarts law. I think I need to make a binomial expansion for small displacements from the center, but I am not quite sure how to do this with the Biot-Savart law. I would really appreciate a hint.


Niles.
 

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Or you could simply superimpose 4 fields from the individual wires. I would imagine you've already solved the field for a single wire, so B=B1+B2+B3+B4. Remember, the wires aren't all in the same direction, so you have to add some and subtract others.

Once you've resolved all your issues https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=645327, you should be able to write everything in terms of the x and y components of the 4 wires.
 
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