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Two very long thin straight wires running parallel to the z-axis and cutting thr

ID: 1610192 • Letter: T

Question

Two very long thin straight wires running parallel to the z-axis and cutting through the y-axis at y_1 = 4m and through the x-axis at x_2 = am, respectively, carry currents I_1 and I_2, both in the -z-direction, as shown in drawing below, I_1 is 6 times as strong as I_2. The two currents produce magnetic field contributions B_1 and B_2, respectively, at point P (5m, 4m, 0m) in the x - y-plane. (a) What is the absolute value of the angle between the +x-direction and the total magnetic field vector, B = B_1 + B_2, produced by the two currents at point P? (b) If the total magnetic field strength at point P is B |B| = 4.8 muT what are I_1 and I_2? (c) Suppose an electron is shot through point P in the -z-direction with a speed of 3.6 times l0^5 m/s. Find the electron's acceleration vector, a (a_z, a_y, a_z, ) at P, due to the magnetic force. State all three cartesian components of a.

Explanation / Answer

Let x = 5 m, y = 4 m

I2 = 6*I1


a) at point P,

B1 = mue*I1/(2*pi*x) (towards -y axis)

B2 = mue*I2/(2*pi*y) (towards +x axis)

angle made resulatnt magnetic field with +x axis,

theta = tan^-1(B1/B2)

= tan^-1(I1*y/(I2*x)

= tan^-1(I1*5/(6*I1*4)

= tan^-1(5/24)

= 11.8 degrees below +x axis

b)

Bnet = sqrt(B1^2 + B2^2)

Bnet^2 = B1^2 + B2^2

(4.8*10^-6)^2 = (4*pi*10^-7*I1/(2*pi*5))^2 + (4*pi*10^-7*6*I1/(2*pi*4))^2

==> I1 = 15.8 A

I2 = 6*I1

= 6*15.8

= 94.8 A

c) use, F = q*v*B*sin(90)

m*a = q*v*B

a = q*v*B/m

= 1.6*10^-19*3.6*10^5*4.8*10^-6/(9.11*10^-31)

= 3.03*10^11 m/s^2

ax = a*sin(11.8)

= 3.03*10^11*sin(11.8)

= 6.20*10^10 m/s^2

ay = a*cos(11.8)

= 3.03*10^11*cos(11.8)

= 2.97*10^11 m/s^2

az = 0