Magnetic Field Around a Current-Carrying Wire?
A 2 A current is carried through a wire of radius 1 cm. A second wire, also carrying 2 A, is placed parallel to the first wire at a distance of 5 cm. What will be the nature of the magnetic field lines around the second wire?
1 Answer
📌 CONCEPT: The magnetic field around a current-carrying wire is a region around the wire where the force of magnetism can be detected. The direction of the magnetic field lines can be determined using the right-hand rule.
📐 RULE / FORMULA: The magnetic field (B) due to a long straight current-carrying wire is given by the formula B = μ₀ * I / (2 * π * r), where μ₀ is the magnetic constant, I is the current and r is the distance from the wire.
💡 WORKED EXAMPLE: For the given problem, the current is 2 A and the distance of the second wire from the first wire is 5 cm. Since the two wires are parallel to each other, the magnetic field lines around the second wire will be in the form of concentric circles around the wire.
⚠️ COMMON MISTAKE: Students often get confused between the left-hand and right-hand rules for determining the direction of the magnetic field lines.
10 Aug 26
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