# Magnetic Field from Two Wires

1. Mar 8, 2008

### cse63146

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
In this problem, you will be asked to calculate the magnetic field due to a set of two wires with antiparallel currents as shown in the diagram . Each of the wires carries a current of magnitude . The current in wire 1 is directed out of the page and that in wire 2 is directed into the page. The distance between the wires is 2d. The x axis is perpendicular to the line connecting the wires and is equidistant from the wires.

Which of the vectors best represents the direction of the magnetic field created at point K (see the diagram in the problem introduction) by wire 1 alone?
Enter the number of the vector with the appropriate direction.

2. Relevant equations

Right Hand Rule for a Straight Wire

3. The attempt at a solution

Using the right hand rule for a straight wire, I found out that the direction of the magnetic field is counter - clockwise. But I'm not sure which vector represents that.

Any suggestions?

2. Mar 9, 2008

### Shooting Star

The magnetic field is a vector quantity and has a single direction at a given point. If you draw a magnetic line of force through K, due to the field of wire 1 alone, in which direction does the tangent to the line of force at K point?

3. Mar 9, 2008

### physixguru

The magnetic field surrounding a current-carrying wire is tangent to a circle centered on that wire. Use the right-hand rule to find which way it points. For the current coming out of the page, point your thumb in the direction of current (out) and your fingers curl in the direction of the field (counter clockwise).

4. Mar 9, 2008

### cse63146

Vector #8 best describes the direction of the magnetic field.

There's another question that asks: Which of these vectors best represents the direction of the net magnetic field created at point K by both wires?

Since $$I_2 = I_1$$, the magnetic field due to wire #2 be clock wise and the current due to wire #1 be counter - clockwise, would the vector be #1?

5. Mar 9, 2008

### Shooting Star

Let's settle this one first.

Draw a circle with the centre at wire 1 and passing through K. Now draw the tangent to the circle at K. Do you still think it's vector #8?

6. Mar 9, 2008

### cse63146

If I drew that diagram correctly, the answer would be vector #7.

7. Mar 9, 2008

### Shooting Star

Think about the right hand rule. The current is coming toward you. It should be #3.

Try the other questions now.

8. Mar 9, 2008

### cse63146

Thanks, got the other few questions, but I'm having trouble with this one: Point L is located a distance d$$\sqrt{2}$$ from the midpoint between the two wires. Find the magnitude of the magnetic field created at point L by wire 1.

So I need to use the Biot - Savart Law:

$$\frac{\mu_0 I}{2 \pi d}$$

to find the distance, I need to use the pythogorean thereom and I get distance to be $$\sqrt{3 d^2} = \sqrt{3} d$$ and I would just plug that it for the d in the Biot Savart Law to obtain the equation for the magnetic field of point L by wire 1?

9. Mar 9, 2008

### Shooting Star

That's it.

10. Apr 10, 2011

### sdodson

I need to find the magnitude of the net magnetic field at point L in the figure due to both wires and I am having some trouble. I understand that the y components of the magnetic fields from the wires will cancel and just the x components will be left. Therefore, I found the magnitudes of the B_1 field and the B_2 field (magnetic fields due to wires 1 and 2) and used trig to find only the x-components and added these. However, my answer is off by a some factor and I cannot figure out why.

Using t as the angle K-1-L and K-2-L, I got:
B_1x = B_1(sin(t)) = (($$\mu$$ * I)/(2 $$\pi$$ d $$\sqrt{}3$$) *($$\sqrt{}2$$ d)/$$\sqrt{}3$$d)
B_2x = B_1x

I multiplied B_1x by 2 to get my final answer of:
($$\sqrt{}2$$$$\mu$$I)/(3$$\pi$$d)

* note: mu in equations is supposed to be mu sub not and it strangely appears as if 2 and 3 are raised to the pi, they are multiplied

I believe I must have simply made a math error. Any insights would be greatly appreciated! Thank You!