Why do two opposing currents cancel each other out perfectly in Ampere's Law?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the cancellation of magnetic fields produced by two opposing currents as described by Ampere's Law. The confusion arises from the assumption that the distance from the currents affects the magnetic induction. However, it is established that due to the symmetry of the currents, both the inner and outer currents contribute equally to the magnetic field at point P, resulting in perfect cancellation. This conclusion is supported by the principles of Ampere's Law and the geometric arrangement of the currents.

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  • Ampere's Law
  • Magnetic induction concepts
  • Understanding of current symmetry
  • Basic electromagnetism principles
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PsychonautQQ
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Homework Statement


http://grephysics.net/ans/9277/9

I'm confused why these two currents cancel each other out perfectly when the distance they are being measured from is closer to the outside current than the inside current...

Like if the magnetic induction is proportional to the distance from the current,, then wouldn't the outside currents induced magnetic field be a little bit bigger than the inner currents?

edit: I just realized a potential flaw in my logic... since the outer part goes completely around the inner part,, on average both of the currents are the same distance away from the point P?
 
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PsychonautQQ said:

Homework Statement


http://grephysics.net/ans/9277/9

I'm confused why these two currents cancel each other out perfectly when the distance they are being measured from is closer to the outside current than the inside current...

Like if the magnetic induction is proportional to the distance from the current,, then wouldn't the outside currents induced magnetic field be a little bit bigger than the inner currents?

edit: I just realized a potential flaw in my logic... since the outer part goes completely around the inner part,, on average both of the currents are the same distance away from the point P?

Sort of. Just use Ampere's law and the symmetry of the currents.
 

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