What is the force direction on a left wire in a parallel current setup?

[ivanwho49]

Homework Statement

Two current carrying wires run parallel. The bottom wire creates a magnetic field at a point on the top wire. What direction is the force on the left wire?

--------->------
--------->------

Homework Equations

I'm assuming there's no equation, just the right hand rule..?

The Attempt at a Solution

I think this problem asks for the right hand rule, but I'm not sure. I don't have a very good grasp of the right hand rule... I'm assuming it is dependent on the direction of the magnetic field and something else.

Please help!

 

[NascentOxygen]

Homework Statement

Two current carrying wires run parallel. The bottom wire creates a magnetic field at a point on the top wire. What direction is the force on the left wire?

--------->------
--------->------

Hi ivanwho49. I see a top wire and a bottom wire...but where's the left wire?

The right-hand rule sounds good!

 

[ivanwho49]

Sorry, I meant top. Top = left. What two things do I use the right hand rule with though?

 

[BvU]

You looked under Right hand rule already, I suppose. Or Lorentz force?

 

[NascentOxygen]

Sorry, I meant top. Top = left. What two things do I use the right hand rule with though?

There are two different "right-hand rules". Use the right one first, it needs only one "thing", viz., direction of current.