Parallel wires carrying current out of the page, find B

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the magnetic field B along the y-axis due to two parallel wires carrying current out of the page. The initial attempt used the equation B=μI/(2πr) with r defined as √(b^2+y^2) to find the magnetic field. The user noted that the y components of the magnetic field cancel, leaving only the horizontal components. There was confusion regarding the correct expression for cos(θ), with the answer key stating cos(θ)=y/(b^2+y^2), which was initially misinterpreted. Ultimately, the user clarified that the angle for the magnetic field from each wire differs from the angle between r and b.
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Homework Statement


Two parallel wires are a distance 2 b apart from the origin and carry current I out of the plane of the paper.
Find the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field B(y) along the y axis.

Homework Equations


∫B⋅dl=μI[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution


If we take ∫dl = 2πr
B=μI/(2πr)
r=√(b^2+y^2)

Clearly the y components cancel so we are left with only the horizontal components, that is

B_total=2Bcos(θ)

cos(θ)=b/√(b^2+y^2)

However, in the answer key provided, it says that cos(θ)=y/(b^2+y^2)

I don't understand why this would give this horizontal component. It seems like this would give the vertical component.
 
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Nevermind, I see how. The angle made by the B field from each wire and the horizontal is not the same as the angle between r and b
 
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