Magnetism, Credit-Card magnetic strips

AI Thread Summary
Experiments on Mythbusters revealed that a magnetic field of 1000 gauss is necessary to corrupt credit card magnetic strips. The discussion revolves around calculating how close a credit card can be held to a straight wire carrying a current of 2.5 A without damage. Participants clarify that the magnetic field equation for a solenoid is not applicable to a straight wire. One user emphasizes the importance of showing work in problem-solving to facilitate better assistance. The conversation highlights the need for proper methodology in physics calculations.
Nnk
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Homework Statement


Experiments carried out on the television show Mythbusters determined that a magnetic field of 1000 gauss is needed to corrupt the information on a credit card's magnetic strip. (They also busted the myth that a credit card can be demagnetized by an electric eel or an eelskin wallet.) Suppose a long, straight wire carries a current of 2.5 A. How close can a credit card be held to this wire without damaging its magnetic strip?

I'm not quite sure how to go about this problem, could anyone please explain it?

Homework Equations


Magnetic field of a solenoid:
upload_2014-12-12_16-59-23.png

Where n=N/L

The Attempt at a Solution


Answer: 5.0µm
 
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Hi Nn,

Your relevant equation isn't for a simple straight wire. Look e.g. here

Oh, and: next time use the template as it's intended (I.e. show some work under 3, not the answer from the back of the book) :)
 
BvU said:
Hi Nn,

Your relevant equation isn't for a simple straight wire. Look e.g. here

Oh, and: next time use the template as it's intended (I.e. show some work under 3, not the answer from the back of the book) :)

Thanks for pointing that out! I didn't know how to calculate it, so I put the correct answer there for those who could help
 
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