Magnetic Fields and insulated wires

3 replies · 15K views · last reply
Mitchtwitchita
Messages
187
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Two insulated wires cross at a 30 degree angle but do not make electrical contact. Each wire carries a 5.0 A current to the left through their respective wires. There are two points. One point lies between the bottom 150 degree angle, and the other lies between the right 30 degree angle. Each point is 4.0 cm from the intersection and equally distant from both wires. What are the magnitude and direction of the magnetic fields at points 1 and 2?

Homework Equations



B = [(mu)I]/2(pi)r

The Attempt at a Solution



I1 = I2 = 5.0 A
r1 = r2 = 0.040msin75degrees = 0.039m
r3 = r4 = 0.040msin15degrees = 0.010m

Bwire1onp1 = Bwire2onp1 = [(Mu)I]/[2(pi)r]
=[(1.257 x 10^-6 T*m/A)(5.0 A)]/[2(pi)(0.039 m)]
=2.6 x 10^-5 T

Bwire1onp2 = Bwire2onp2 = [(1.257 x 10^-6 T*m/A)(5.0 A)]/[2(pi)(0.010 m)]
=1.0 x 10^-4 T

Since Bw1onp1 and Bw2onp1 are both out of the page, then they add to give 5.2 x 10^-5 T out of the page

Since Bw1onp2 comes out of the page, and Bw2onp2 goes into the page, then they cancel to give 0

This doesn't seem right to me, can anybody tell me if I'm doing something wrong please?
 
Could you please show a picture? It is not clear where those points are.

ehild
 
Hand-drawn sketch on lined paper of two straight wires crossing at an angle, each labelled 5.0 A with an arrow pointing left, with points 1 and 2 marked below them.