Torque on current carrying loop/Diploe moment of loop

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the tension in a current-carrying loop subjected to a vertical magnetic field B. The torque on the loop is determined using the dipole moment, defined as the product of current (I) and area (A). The participant initially miscalculated the torque due to integration errors and misinterpreted the rotational equilibrium conditions. After clarifying the correct interpretation of the current loop and addressing the integration mistakes, the participant successfully reconciled their answer with the expected result.

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  • Understanding of torque and its calculation in physics
  • Familiarity with magnetic moments and their relation to current loops
  • Knowledge of rotational equilibrium concepts
  • Proficiency in vector calculus for integrating torque equations
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  • Study the principles of torque on current-carrying loops in magnetic fields
  • Learn about the derivation and application of the magnetic moment formula: μ = I × A
  • Explore the conditions for rotational equilibrium in mechanical systems
  • Review vector calculus techniques for integrating physical quantities
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Students and educators in physics, particularly those focusing on electromagnetism and mechanics, as well as anyone involved in solving problems related to current loops and magnetic fields.

Tanishq Nandan
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Homework Statement


The current loop of the radius b as shown in figure is mounted rigidly on the axle,midway between the two supporting cords.In the absence of the external magnetic field,the tension in the two cords are equal and are T.What will be the tension when a vertical magnetic field B is present??
20170710_034457-1.jpg

Homework Equations


Torque on a current carrying loop= (cross product of dipole moment vector and magnetic field vector)
Magnetic moment of loop=I × A,
I is current in the loop,A is it's area
And of course,
Torque at a point=r×F

The Attempt at a Solution


I found out the dipole moment of the whole disc by integration,through the following method.
20170710_035231-1.jpg

Now,as I stated in the first line of section 2,I found out the torque on the disc as well as it's direction,
which came out to be,say in +x direction.Then,the torque due to the left string (T1) and the right string (T2) are coming out to be in -x and +x directions respectively.Now,since the disc is in rotational equilibrium,all the torques along the x direction should cancel out.
Which means,
(Torque due to B)+ (Torque due to T2)=(Torque due to T1)

Last line of section 2 is the formula used for finding direction of torques..
Also,the torque without any field is T,therefore,we get two equations,which can be sloved to obtain T1 and T2.

20170710_040356-1.jpg

HOWEVER,the answer given varies SLIGHTLY from what I have got.

Where am I going wrong??I doubt it's the integration part..
One thing it MAY be is...the disc is NOT IN ROTATIONAL EQUILIBRIUM,dunno...maybe
Help appreciated..
 
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From the wording of the problem, I would interpret the current ##I## as running around the edge of the disk. That is, all of the current ##I## is at a radius ##b## so that you have a current "loop" of radius ##b##.

However, if your interpretation is correct, it looks like you miss-copied the expression for ##\mu## when going to the second page of your notes. The exponent of 2 has moved from ##b## to ##I##.

Did you drop a factor of 2 in the denominator when going from the next-to-last line to the last line?

Also, why doesn't the magnetic field B enter into your result?
 
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TSny said:
From the wording of the problem, I would interpret the current I as running around the edge of the disk. That is, all of the current I is at a radius b so that you have a current "loop" of radius b.
Idiotic mistake...integrating where there was no need to.
Yup,the answer is coming out correctly taking the current in a loop.
Thanks
And sorry for so many errors.. :p
I just remembered the given answer and mine varied on a coefficient of 2..so I wrote that down..should have checked.
 
OK. I realize now that what you wrote as "Ans" (at the end) is the answer given to you rather than your answer.
Glad it all works out now.
 
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