Magnetic forces on two current carrying wires

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the magnetic force per unit length between two parallel wires carrying different currents. The subject area includes electromagnetism, specifically the interaction of magnetic fields generated by current-carrying conductors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the relevant equations for magnetic force and magnetic field but questions the validity of their results due to differing current values in the wires. Participants discuss the correctness of the formulas used and the implications of the results.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the correct application of the formulas, noting a potential misunderstanding in the calculations. The conversation reflects a productive exploration of the problem, with participants clarifying the relationship between the currents and the resulting forces.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses concern about the differing forces calculated for each wire, suggesting a misunderstanding of the principles involved. There is an acknowledgment of the expected answer, which may indicate a specific requirement or constraint in the problem setup.

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"Find the force per unit length on each of two long, straight, parallel wires that are 24 cm apart when one carries a current of 2.0 A and the other a current of 4.0 A in the same direction."

Tell me if I'm doing this right:
I use d = 0.24m, and the equations B = (mag. perm. * I)/(2*pi*d), and F = ILB.

The force per unit length on each wire is then: F/L = IB.

Plugging in I and B for each of the wires, I get:
F/L (for the 2.0A wire) = 3.3 * 10^-6 N/m (toward the other wire)
F/L (for the 4.0A wire) = 1.3 * 10^-5 N/m (toward the other wire)

I think it's wrong because the answer is supposedly: "6.7 * 10^-6 N/m; attractive". But I would think that the forces are different on each wire, because the wires are carrying different currents...
 
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Your formulae are correct, however I can't see how you obtained your two different answers.
Remember, the expression you wrote explicitly is
[tex]\frac{\mu_0I_1I_2}{2\pi d}[/tex]

Can you possibly have two different answers ? :)
 
oh ooops.
I did (F/L)1 = I1B1, not I1B2!
 
Thought so :biggrin:
 

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