Question about electricity and magnetism

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Parallel currents in two wires attract each other due to the transformation of azimuthal magnetic fields into radial electric fields in different reference frames. Even when one wire's current appears zero to an observer in motion, the interaction of electric fields still results in attraction. This phenomenon is explained through the principles of electromagnetism and special relativity, as detailed in the referenced document from the Particle Data Group.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetism principles
  • Familiarity with special relativity concepts
  • Knowledge of electric and magnetic field interactions
  • Ability to interpret scientific literature, such as the Particle Data Group reviews
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Lorentz transformation in the context of electromagnetism
  • Explore the relationship between electric and magnetic fields in moving reference frames
  • Review the Particle Data Group's resources on electromagnetic relations
  • Investigate the implications of parallel current interactions in practical applications, such as in electrical engineering
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, electrical engineers, and anyone interested in the fundamental principles of electricity and magnetism, particularly in understanding current interactions in conductive materials.

Andrew Shaw
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Why is it that 2 wires carrying parallel current attract each other i think they should repeal imagine 2 wires carrying electrons to the left then the current is to the right, in the reference frame of the moving electrons it seems like the electrons on the other wire are not moving so the should create a static electric field that should repeal the electrons in the wire using that particles of same charge repeal each other this has been bothering for a long time and i would appreciate i somebody could help me thanks in advance
 
Physics news on Phys.org
When there are parallel currents in two parallel wires, they attract one another. This also true if the observer is in a moving frame where the current in one wire is zero, because in doing the transform, the azimuthal magnetic fields in BOTH wires in the rest frame are transformed to radial electric fields in the observer's frame, even if the current in one wire is zero. These two electric fields either repel or attract. See
http://pdg.lbl.gov/2009/reviews/rpp2009-rev-electromag-relations.pdf
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Does a time varying magnetic field in vacuum produce electric field or not?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad Why Doesn't Electric Force Cause Wires to Move?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
High School Thought Experiment on Charge Carriers and Electrical Conduction
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Undergrad [Q] Lorentz force in momentum conservation view
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
Undergrad Do electric currents depend on the frame of reference?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad Question on Hall Effect and magnetic force
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Magnetic field as result of length contraction
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
5K
Undergrad The vector math of relative motion of wire-loop & bar magnet
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Current and stationary charges
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Undergrad Hall effect -- is it always applicable?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K