Magnetic Field of Rectangular Loop: Solving for P Far Away

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the magnetic field at a point P located far from a rectangular current-carrying loop. The original poster attempts to derive an expression for the magnetic field, drawing parallels to the known formula for a circular loop's magnetic field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the contributions of different sides of the loop to the magnetic field, questioning the cancellation of fields from vertical sides and the effects of horizontal sides. There are attempts to apply approximations based on the distance from the loop.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the Biot-Savart law and the need for careful consideration of geometric factors in the calculations. Some guidance has been offered regarding the integration process required for the magnetic field contributions.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on the assumptions made regarding distances and the geometry of the loop, particularly in relation to the approximations used for the magnetic field calculations. Participants are navigating the complexities of the Biot-Savart law and its application to the problem.

stunner5000pt
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CXosnider a rectangular loop carrying a current i as shown in the figure. Point P is located a distance x from the cneter of the loop. Find an epxression for tha mgnetic field at P due to the current loop assuming that P is very far away.
WIth [itex]\mu = iA = iab[/itex] obtain an expression similar to that of a circular looop which is [tex]B = \frac{\mu_{0} \mu}{2 \pi x^3}[/tex]
for the field due to a distant dipole at points in the plane of the loop (perpendicular to the axis.)
Hint: Opposite sides can we treated together but consider carefully the direction of B due to each side

Well
for vertical sides (sides of length b) the magnetic field due to them both is zero because of the right rule, their magnetic field are in opposite directions and equal (equal because x >> a/2)

for the hirzontal sides however, the same doesn't not apply, the magnetic field is not zero since due to them both th magnetic field points out of the page.

not since x is big am i right in assuming taht [itex]\sqrt{x^2 + \frac{b^2}{4}} \approx x[/itex] ??
in that case
[tex]B = \frac{2 \mu_{0} i}{2 \pi x} = \frac{\mu_{0} i}{\pi x}[/tex]
is this right?

im not sure ho to proced with the second part of the quesiton..
 

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The contributions from the vertical sides don't exactly cancel and for the horizontal sides you left out a geometric factor (vector cross product in Biot-Savart).
 
i understnad taht that is true... but can't i do the approximation ??

for the vertical pieces of wire ..
well for 2 pieces of wire
[tex]B = 2 \frac{\mu_{0} i}{4 \pi} \int \frac{ds \times x}{x^3}[/tex]
here s is constant and r is constant

[tex]B = 2 \frac{\mu_{0} i b}{4 \pi x^2}[/tex] is that correct?
 
Last edited:
You can do an approximation but just not the one you're attempting!

Biot-Savart will involve integrals over the length of each side of quantities like

[tex]\frac {d\vec l \times \vec r}{r^2}[/tex]

E.g., the right side is a/2 units from the center so that [itex]\vec r = (x-a/2)\hat i + y \hat j[/itex] where y is the vertical coordinate (the variable you will integrate over). Also, [itex]d\vec l = dy \hat j[/itex] so you can form the vector cross product [itex]d\vec l \times \vec r[/itex]. You'll integrate this (vector) from y = -b/2 to +b/2. Notice that [itex]r^2 = (x-a/2)^2 + y^2[/itex]

Similarly, for the left side [itex]\vec r = (x+a/2)\hat i + y \hat j[/itex]. In this case, [itex]r^2 = (x + a/2)^2 + y^2[/itex]. The two integrals (from left side and right side) do not cancel out.
 

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