Two wires parallel to each other and seperated by a distance d carry different c
ID: 2254397 • Letter: T
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)
Two parallel current-carrying wires will exert forces on one another.
Let's say wire 1 carries a current I1 out of the page. Wire 2, a distance d from wire 1, carries a current I2 out of the page. Assume that both wires are long. How much force does wire 1 exert on wire 2? What direction is the force?
The direction of the force experienced by wire 2 is:
Using the infinite wire equation, wire 1 sets up a magnetic field that wire 2 experiences. The magnitude of this field, at wire 2's location, is:
B1 = mo I1 / 2pd directed up.
To find the force on wire 2, use:
F = I2L
Related Questions
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.