{"id":2433,"date":"2018-05-11T13:40:18","date_gmt":"2018-05-11T05:40:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/?p=2433"},"modified":"2023-08-06T15:13:17","modified_gmt":"2023-08-06T15:13:17","slug":"magnetic-force-between-two-parallel-wires-problems-and-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/magnetic-force-between-two-parallel-wires-problems-and-solutions.htm","title":{"rendered":"Magnetic force between two parallel wires \u2013 problems and solutions","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\">Magnetic force between two parallel wires \u2013 problems and solutions<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\">1. Two parallel conductors carrying currents I<sub>1 <\/sub>and I<sub>2<\/sub>, as shown in the figure below. What is the magnitude and direction of the <a href=\"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/magnetic-force-between-two-parallel-wires-problems-and-solutions.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">magnetic force experienced by both conductors<\/a>? (\u03bc<sub>o<\/sub> = 4\u03c0. 10<sup>-7<\/sup> Wb.A<sup>-1<\/sup>.m<sup>-1<\/sup>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><u>Known :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/electric-currents-electric-charges-problems-and-solutions.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">electric current<\/a> 1 (I<sub>1<\/sub>) = 3 Ampere<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-2434\" src=\"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Magnetic-force-\u2013-problems-and-solutions-1.png\" alt=\"Magnetic force \u2013 problems and solutions 1\" width=\"136\" height=\"110\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\">The electric current 2 (I<sub>2<\/sub>) = 5 Ampere<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\">The permeability of free space (\u00b5<sub>o<\/sub>) = 4\u03c0 x 10<sup>-7<\/sup> wb A<sup>-1 <\/sup>m<sup>-1<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\">Distance between both conductors (L) = 5 cm = 5 x 10<sup>-2<\/sup> meters<!--more--><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><u>Wanted:<\/u> The magnitude and direction of the magnetic force<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><u>Solution :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\">The direction of the electric current on conductor 1 is opposite with the direction of the electric current on conductor 2. Antiparallel currents (in opposite directions) exert a repulsive force on each other.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The magnitude of the magnetic force :<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2435\" src=\"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Magnetic-force-\u2013-problems-and-solutions-2.png\" alt=\"Magnetic force \u2013 problems and solutions 2\" width=\"178\" height=\"255\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\">F\/l = 6 x 10<sup>-5 <\/sup>Newton<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\">2. Two parallel wires carrying currents I<sub>1 <\/sub>and I<sub>2 <\/sub>are 20-cm apart. What is the magnitude of the magnetic force experienced by each wire (\u03bc<sub>o<\/sub> = 4\u03c0. 10<sup>-7<\/sup> Wb.A<sup>-1<\/sup>.m<sup>-1<\/sup>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><u>Known :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\">The electric current 1 (I<sub>1<\/sub>) = 5 Ampere<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-2436\" src=\"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Magnetic-force-\u2013-problems-and-solutions-3.png\" alt=\"Magnetic force \u2013 problems and solutions 3\" width=\"177\" height=\"122\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\">The electric current 2 (I<sub>2<\/sub>) = 4 Ampere<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\">The permeability of free space (\u00b5<sub>o<\/sub>) = 4\u03c0 x 10<sup>-7<\/sup> wb A<sup>-1 <\/sup>m<sup>-1<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\">Distance between both wires (L) = 20 cm = 20 x 10<sup>-2<\/sup> meters<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><u>Wanted:<\/u> The magnitude of the magnetic force<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;\"><u>Solution :<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\">The direction of the electric current on conductor 1 is opposite with the direction of the electric current on conductor 2. Antiparallel currents (in opposite directions) exert a repulsive force on each other.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 12pt;\">The magnitude of the magnetic force :<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2437\" src=\"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Magnetic-force-\u2013-problems-and-solutions-4.png\" alt=\"Magnetic force \u2013 problems and solutions 4\" width=\"183\" height=\"257\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"justify\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\">F\/l = 2 x 10<sup>-5 <\/sup>Newton<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\">20 conceptual questions and answers related to the magnetic force between two parallel wires:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>1. Question:<\/strong> What is the primary cause of the magnetic force between two parallel current-carrying wires?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The magnetic force between two parallel wires arises due to the magnetic fields produced by the currents in each wire acting on the other wire.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>2. Question:<\/strong> How does the direction of current in the two wires affect the force between them?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> If the currents flow in the same direction, the wires attract each other. If the currents flow in opposite directions, the wires repel each other.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>3. Question:<\/strong> What is the relationship between the distance between the wires and the magnetic force?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The magnetic force is inversely proportional to the distance between the wires. As the distance increases, the force decreases.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>4. Question:<\/strong> How does the magnitude of the current in the wires affect the force?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The force is directly proportional to the product of the currents in the two wires.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>5. Question:<\/strong> What happens to the force if one of the wires has no current?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The force will be zero because a wire with no current doesn&#8217;t produce a magnetic field to affect the other wire.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>6. Question:<\/strong> Why is the magnetic force between two parallel wires considered a non-contact force?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The force is due to the interaction of their magnetic fields, not direct physical contact.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>7. Question:<\/strong> How does the magnetic field produced by one wire vary with distance?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The magnetic field strength decreases with increasing distance from the wire.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>8. Question:<\/strong> Can the magnetic force between two parallel wires be shielded or blocked?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> While it&#8217;s challenging to completely shield magnetic fields, using materials with high magnetic permeability can redirect and reduce the effect of the fields on each other.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>9. Question:<\/strong> If the two wires are perpendicular to each other, how does the magnetic force between them change?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> If the wires are perpendicular and their currents cross paths, they won&#8217;t exert a simple attractive or repulsive force on each other as parallel wires do.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>10. Question:<\/strong> How is the direction of the magnetic force on a current-carrying wire determined?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The direction can be determined using the right-hand rule: point the thumb in the direction of the current, and the curled fingers will indicate the direction of the magnetic field.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>11. Question:<\/strong> Is the magnetic force between two parallel wires a central force?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> No, it&#8217;s not a central force because the direction and magnitude of the force depend on both the relative orientation and separation of the wires.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>12. Question:<\/strong> Can the wires feel a force even if they are placed in a vacuum?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Yes, the magnetic force between the wires doesn&#8217;t rely on a medium; it can exist in a vacuum.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>13. Question:<\/strong> How is the unit of current, the Ampere, related to the force between two wires?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> One Ampere is defined as the current that, when flowing in two parallel conductors of infinite length and placed one meter apart in a vacuum, results in a force of 2 x 10^(-7) Newtons per meter of length between the wires.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>14. Question:<\/strong> Do the materials of the wires affect the magnetic force between them?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The material of the wires does not directly affect the force. The force depends on the current and the distance between the wires.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>15. Question:<\/strong> What is the role of the permeability of free space (\u03bc\u2080) in the force between two parallel wires?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The permeability of free space is a constant that relates magnetic field strength to the current causing it and appears in the formula for the force between two current-carrying wires.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>16. Question:<\/strong> Can magnetic forces do work on the wires?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> While magnetic forces can exert a force on a current-carrying wire, they don&#8217;t do work as they act perpendicular to the direction of motion.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>17. Question:<\/strong> How do the lengths of the wires affect the magnetic force between them?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> The force is proportional to the lengths of the wires that are parallel and close to each other.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>18. Question:<\/strong> Are there any real-life applications or consequences of the magnetic force between parallel wires?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Yes, in electrical circuits, especially those with high currents, the magnetic interaction between wires can cause them to move, which needs to be considered in design.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>19. Question:<\/strong> If one wire is coiled into a loop, how does it affect the magnetic force?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> A coiled wire, or solenoid, produces a stronger magnetic field than a straight wire, altering the force between it and another wire.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>20. Question:<\/strong> Can the magnetic forces between parallel wires be used to measure current?<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\"><strong>Answer:<\/strong> Yes, devices like current balance utilize the magnetic force between wires to measure current by equating it to a known mechanical force.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif;\">Understanding the magnetic force between parallel wires is fundamental in electromagnetism and has implications in circuit design, electronics, and electrical engineering.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Magnetic force between two parallel wires \u2013 problems and solutions 1. Two parallel conductors carrying currents I1 and I2, as shown in the figure below. What is the magnitude and direction of the magnetic force experienced by both conductors? (\u03bco = 4\u03c0. 10-7 Wb.A-1.m-1) Known : The electric current 1 (I1) = 3 Ampere The &#8230; <a title=\"Magnetic force between two parallel wires \u2013 problems and solutions\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/magnetic-force-between-two-parallel-wires-problems-and-solutions.htm\" aria-label=\"Read more about Magnetic force between two parallel wires \u2013 problems and solutions\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"Magnetic force between two parallel wires \u2013 problems and solutions","_seopress_news_disabled":"","_seopress_video_disabled":"","_seopress_video":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas_manual":[],"_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable_all":"","_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-solved-problems-in-basic-physics"],"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"link","format":"url"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2433","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2433"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2433\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8567,"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2433\/revisions\/8567"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2433"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2433"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gurumuda.net\/physics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2433"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}