Physics Magnetism - Wire Carrying Current in a Loop

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of a current-carrying wire shaped in a non-circular form, specifically a rectangle or glob, in a magnetic field. It concludes that the magnetic forces acting on the wire will exert an outward pressure, potentially leading to a transformation into a circular shape due to the uniform repulsive forces among segments of the wire. The application of the corkscrew rule and right-hand rule confirms that the magnetic field and force direction are consistent across the wire's configuration, supporting the hypothesis of shape change over time.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of magnetic fields and forces
  • Familiarity with the corkscrew rule
  • Knowledge of the right-hand rule for current and magnetic field interactions
  • Basic principles of electromagnetism
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the effects of magnetic fields on current-carrying conductors
  • Explore the mathematical modeling of forces on arbitrary wire shapes
  • Investigate the stability of current loops in varying magnetic fields
  • Learn about applications of magnetic forces in engineering and technology
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching electromagnetism, and engineers working with electromagnetic systems will benefit from this discussion.

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Homework Statement


This is a theoretical question, one I'm not sure about. It just randomly popped into my head.
Say there is a jumbled wire, one in a glob shape but not overlapping. (Like a deformed circle, or maybe just a rectangle).
Assuming we are in a place called "physics utopia" where the wire is closed and a continuous current circles through it, would the said rectangle or "glob" eventually become a circle due to the outward force caused by the magnetic field and current.?
I did the corkscrew rule and right hand rule, and in a rectangle/glob, the force on all points of the wire points outward, so just wondering if a circle would eventually be formed.

Homework Equations


Corkscrew rule to find the direction of magnetic field
Right hand rule to find direction of force using known current and magnetic field (I found it was outwards basically everywhere).

The Attempt at a Solution


Stated above
 
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So there is not an unbalanced charge on the loop - but there is a current in the loop ... you are thinking that places in the loop which carry opposite currents will exert a repulsive force on each other so they must add up to a net outward pressure?
That seems reasonable... have you had a look at how other people have answered the same question?

http://physics.stackexchange.com/qu...g-wire-of-arbitrary-shape-in-a-magnetic-field
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskPhysics/comments/2uto4s/does_a_rectangular_loop_of_current_exert_a/
 

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