A long, straight wire carries a current to the north. A second long, straight wi

Question

A long, straight wire carries a current to the north. A second long, straight wire 0.5 m vertically above the first wire carries an identical current to the east. Both wires are long enough to be considered infinite in length. (a) What is the direction of the net force on the top wire because of the current in the bottom wire? (A) Up (B) Down (C) North (D) South (E) The net force is zero. (b) What is the direction of the torque on the top wire because of the current in the bottom wire? (A) Up (B) Down (C) North (D) South (E) The torque is zero.

Explanation / Answer

IL1 -> to the north (j)

IL2 -> to the east (i)

Due to bottom wire (IL1) :

field at location of above wire

at center (just above the wire) field will be to west.

to east part from center, field is inthe west and downwards

to west side part,

field is to the west and upwards.

F = IL X B

for east side part: force will be to the north.

for west side part: force will to south

(A) Fnet = 0 (from symmetry)

(B) Direction of toque (r x F) will be up.

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