Two wires parallel to each other and seperated by a distance d carry different c

Question

Two wires parallel to each other and seperated by a distance d carry different currents; they exert a force with magnitude F on each other.

(a) The wires carry current in opposite directions. If the current carried by one of the wires is divided by three and the distance between the wires is quintupled, then what will the force's magnitude be (as a multiple of F) and will it be repulsive or attractive?
F  

(b) The wires carry current in the same direction . If the current carried by both wires is divided by five and the distance between the wires is quintupled, then what will the force's magnitude be (as a multiple of F) and will it be repulsive or attractive?
F

Explanation / Answer

The force is proportional to the product of the currents and inversely proportional to the distance between the wires. The force is attraction if the currents are in the dame direction and repulsion of the cureents are in opposite directions (See source)

Therefore, the answers are:

a) 3 F and attractive (math: 3 x 3 / 3)

b) 1.25 F and repulsive (math: 5 / 4)

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