Magnetic Field Using Amperian Loops inside a wire

In summary, the question discusses finding the magnetic field B inside a hole in a cross-section wire with a uniform current density j flowing through it. The magnetic field can be calculated using Ampere's law, treating it as the vector sum of the fields of two uniform currents, one with radius R and one with radius a (oppositely directed). The field at any point, including inside the hole, is the vector sum of these two field contributions. The field inside the hole is assumed to be uniformly distributed.
  • #1
Fusilli_Jerry89
159
0

Homework Statement


There is a cross-section wire or radius R with a uniform current density j flowing through it. There is a hole in the wire's cross section (a vacuum) a distance b away from the centre of the cross section. The hole has radius a. What is the magnetic field B in the hole as a function of r?


Homework Equations


B(integral of ds) = (mu)(current)

The Attempt at a Solution


If we draw an amperian loop just outside the hole (so r = b + a) we get:
B(1) = (mu)jr/2
and B(2) = (mu)j(a^2)/2r
and B = B(1) - B(2) = (mu)j(r^2 - a^2)/2r

If we do the same just before the hole (so r = b - a) we get:

B = (mu)jr/2 [because the hole does not affect the magnetic field in this case)


But how can we find B in other places inside the hole (in the middle of the hole B = (mu)jb/2 ). My prof says that the magnetic field is uniformly distributed inside the hole is the same (or maybe he said something different but similar), but how can this be? As far as I understand, we can get the B in the hole by visualizing a current in the wire without the hole and then adding a current in the opposite direction (the question says we can assume it's the same density) in order to form the hole. From my understanding, the B of the wire without the hole gets bigger as we get further from the center, right? But if this is true, then wouldn't B be bigger when r = b + a than when r = b, and even bigger than when r = b - a? Can someone please explain this to me? How is B distributed inside the hole? Thx.

Also, if we were to try to find B inside the hole (besides the centre, or r=b+a, or r=b-a)
wouldn't we need to find the area of the hole that's beneath r? So if r was just a little bigger than b, wouldn't the area be just about half of (pi)a^2 ?
 
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  • #2
Treat the field as the vector sum of the fields of: (1) A uniform current of radius R, and (2) A uniform current (oppositely directed) of radius a. Use Ampere's law to solve for the field of each as a function of distance from their respective centers. Note that (1) is centered at r = 0, while (2) is centered at the center of the hole.
 
  • #3
Doc Al said:
Treat the field as the vector sum of the fields of: (1) A uniform current of radius R, and (2) A uniform current (oppositely directed) of radius a. Use Ampere's law to solve for the field of each as a function of distance from their respective centers. Note that (1) is centered at r = 0, while (2) is centered at the center of the hole.

What if r is inside the hole though? Wouldn't i need to calculate the B due to a uniform current of radius r, and then subtract the B due to the current of part of the hole? I know B(1) will be (mu)jr/2, but wouldn't B(2) be (mu)j(area of part of hole)/2(pi)r ?

Did u read my long question above? Maybe it didn't make sense but I already stated what you told me to do.
 
  • #4
Fusilli_Jerry89 said:
What if r is inside the hole though?
What about it?
Wouldn't i need to calculate the B due to a uniform current of radius r, and then subtract the B due to the current of part of the hole? I know B(1) will be (mu)jr/2, but wouldn't B(2) be (mu)j(area of part of hole)/2(pi)r ?
Not sure I understand what you're saying here. To repeat what I already said, the field at any point, including inside the hole, is the vector sum of the two field contributions already defined.

Did u read my long question above? Maybe it didn't make sense but I already stated what you told me to do.
I read your post and question about how the field is distributed in the hole. And I thought I answered it accurately, but maybe I misunderstood you. :wink:
 

1. What is a magnetic field?

A magnetic field is an invisible force created by moving electric charges, such as those found in a wire. It is a vector field, meaning it has both magnitude and direction, and can exert a force on other charged particles.

2. How is a magnetic field created using Amperian loops?

Amperian loops are imaginary closed loops that are used to calculate the magnetic field inside a wire. As the electric charges in the wire move, they create a circular magnetic field around the wire. The direction of the magnetic field is determined by the right-hand rule, where the thumb points in the direction of the current and the fingers curl in the direction of the magnetic field.

3. What is the relationship between current and magnetic field strength?

The strength of the magnetic field inside a wire is directly proportional to the amount of current flowing through the wire. This means that the stronger the current, the stronger the magnetic field will be.

4. Can the direction of the magnetic field inside a wire be changed?

Yes, the direction of the magnetic field can be changed by changing the direction of the current flowing through the wire. For example, if the current is flowing in the opposite direction, the magnetic field will also be in the opposite direction.

5. What is the significance of Amperian loops in understanding magnetic fields?

Amperian loops are important in understanding magnetic fields because they allow us to visualize and calculate the strength and direction of the magnetic field inside a wire. They also help us to understand the relationship between current and magnetic field strength and how the direction of the magnetic field can be changed by changing the direction of the current.

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