Why Does Wire Orientation Affect the Motor Effect in Electromagnets?

[Josielle Abdilla]

Hii... can someone explain to me why the electromagnetic wire doesn't experience any motor effect when in parallel to the magnetic field of the permanent magnet? And why does a thicker wire increases the catapult effect?
Ty in advance :)

 

[anorlunda]

I had to look up the term.

In electromagnetics, the catapult effect is a phenomenon occurring when a current is passed through two wires connected by a loose wire in a magnetic field. The loose wire is then catapultedhorizontally away from the magnetic field. This occurs due to the magnetic forces acting in the wires and in the magnetic field itself.

 

[jerromyjon]

And why does a thicker wire increases the catapult effect?

That sounds counter-intuitive... do you have a reference which shows this? Like anorlunda, I'm unfamiliar with this subject.

 

[anorlunda]

I did a little research. One source says "catapult effect" is a synonym for "motor effect." But even motor effect is not common nomenclature.

I suspect that the real topic is the Lorentz Force
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorentz_force#Force_on_a_current-carrying_wire

 

[jerromyjon]

I suspect that the real topic is the Lorentz Force

I assumed that, but I'm curious how a larger mass of conductor would incur a greater force... A larger current obviously would but a larger conductor with the same current? Suprising.

The only thing I can think of is eddy currents.

 

[lekh2003]

Hii... can someone explain to me why the electromagnetic wire doesn't experience any motor effect when in parallel to the magnetic field of the permanent magnet? And why does a thicker wire increases the catapult effect?
Ty in advance :)

Your first question is quite obvious. Imagine an electromagnet exerting a magnetic field towards the right. This means, that for practical purposes, it has a magnetic field going to the right. Then, we have a magnet also exerting its magnetic field to the right. Both the magnetic fields are "in sync" with each other. There is no motive for either magnetic fields to move at all. They are perfect.

As for your second question, I don't think I have the expertise.