Magnetic force on sides of square solenoid

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the magnetic forces and torque on a square solenoid with a 5-turn coil carrying a current in a uniform magnetic field. The force on sides ab and cd was calculated to be 0.0021 N, with ab directed in the positive k direction and cd in the negative k direction, while sides bc and da experience no force. A key question raised was whether to consider the magnetic force generated by the solenoid itself in addition to the external magnetic field when calculating total force. The participant eventually resolved their confusion regarding the calculations. The thread highlights the complexities of analyzing forces in magnetic fields for coils and solenoids.
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Homework Statement


A square 5-turn coil with sides .03 m long and carrying 2 A of current is placed in a uniform magnetic field of .07 T, as shown.

What is the magnitude and direction of the force on each of the four sides?

What is the magnitude and direction of the torque \tau on the coil about its center, if any? Use the fact from mechanics that \tau = r x F due to a force F applied with lever arm r.

What is the magnetic moment \mu of this coil? What is the torque on the coil evaluated using the relation \tau = \mu x B?


Homework Equations


Force on a current-carrying wire
F=I\hat{l}x\vec{B}

Field of ideal solenoid
B=\mu_{0}NI\overline{l}

The Attempt at a Solution


I wasn't sure how to translate F=I\hat{l}x\vec{B} into a coil with 5 loops, so I just multiplied IN\hat{l}x\vec{B}=(2A)(5 loops)(.03m)(.07T)=.0021 N for sides ab and cd. By right hand rule, I said ab is in the +\hat{k} direction and cd is in the -\hat{k} direction. I said bc and da were parallel to B so there was no force on them.

My biggest question: When you calculate force of a coil in a uniform magnetic field, do you have to take into account the force that comes from the current itself?
The uniform magnetic field seems to be from an external source, so to find total force do I also have to use the solenoid to find field and force from that, then add that force to the uniform field's force?

Thanks very much for any help; I'm rather stumped by all this.
 

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Nevermind, I figured it out.
 
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