A long straight wire carries current I = 15 A. Find the magnetic field at distances: (a) r = 2.0 cm from the wire, (b) r = 10 cm from the wire. (c) At what distance is the field B = 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ T? Use μ₀ = 4π × 10⁻⁷ T·m/A.
Biot-Savart law and Ampere's law for calculating magnetic fields
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4πμ0
r2Idl×r^
where μ0=4π×10−7 T·m/A is permeability of free space.
Total field:B=4πμ0I∫r2dl×r^
Infinite Straight Wire
Current I in straight wire:
B=2πrμ0I
Field circles wire by right-hand rule.
Circular Loop
On axis at distance x from center, loop radius R:
Bx=2(x2+R2)3/2μ0IR2
At center (x=0):
B=2Rμ0I
Far from loop (x≫R):
B≈2πx3μ0IπR2=2πx3μ0μ
where μ=IπR2 is magnetic dipole moment.
Ampere's Law
∮B⋅dl=μ0Ienc
Line integral around closed path equals μ0 times enclosed current.
Works best for:
Infinite straight wire
Solenoid
Toroid
Cylindrical symmetry
Long Solenoid
n turns per unit length, current I:
Inside:B=μ0nI (uniform, parallel to axis)
Outside:B≈0
Toroid
N total turns, inner radius a, outer radius b:
Inside toroid:B=2πrμ0NI
(varies with r)
Outside:B=0
Magnetic Field of Moving Charge
Point charge q moving with velocity v:
B=4πμ0r2qv×r^
Two Parallel Wires
Wires separated by distance d, currents I1 and I2:
Force per unit length:LF=2πdμ0I1I2
Same direction: attractive
Opposite direction: repulsive
This defines the ampere!
Magnetic Field Inside Conductor
For long straight conductor of radius R:
Outside (r>R): B=μ0I/(2πr)
Inside (r<R), uniform current density:
B=2πR2μ0Ir
(Linear in r, like electric field in charged sphere)
Maxwell's Modification
With changing electric field:
∮B⋅dl=μ0Ienc+μ0ϵ0dtdΦE
The μ0ϵ0dΦE/dt term is displacement current.
This completes Maxwell's equations!
B=
2πrμ0I
B=2π(0.02)(4π×10−7)(15)
B=0.02(2×10−7)(15)=0.023.0×10−6
B=1.5×10−4 T=0.15 mT
(b) Field at r = 10 cm:
B=0.10(2×10−7)(15)
B=3.0×10−5 T=30 μT
(c) Distance for B = 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ T:
1.0×10−5=r(2×10−7)(15)
r=1.0×10−5(2×10−7)(15)=1.0×10−53.0×10−6
r=0.30 m=30 cm
Note: B ∝ 1/r for long straight wire
2Problem 2hard
❓ Question:
A solenoid has N = 400 turns, length L = 0.25 m, and radius R = 0.02 m, carrying current I = 3.0 A. Find: (a) the magnetic field inside the solenoid (far from ends), (b) the magnetic field at the center of a circular coil with the same specifications, and (c) the self-inductance of the solenoid.
💡 Show Solution
Given:
N = 400 turns
L = 0.25 m
R = 0.02 m
I = 3.0 A
μ₀ = 4π × 10⁻⁷ T·m/A
(a) Field inside solenoid:
Turn density: n=N/L=400/0.25=1600 turns/m
B=μ0nI=(4π×10
B=(4π×10−7)(4800)
B=6.03×10−3 T=6.03 mT
(b) Field at center of circular coil:
Using Biot-Savart law for N loops:
Bcoil=2Rμ
Bcoil=2(0.02)
Bcoil=0.04(4π×
Bcoil=3.77×10
Note: Coil field is stronger than solenoid field!
(c) Self-inductance:
L=lμ0N2A
where A=πR2=π(0.02)2=1.26× m²
L=0.25(4π×10−7)
L=0.25(4π×10−7)(
L=1.01×10−3 H=1.01 mH
3Problem 3hard
❓ Question:
Use Ampère's law to find the magnetic field: (a) inside a long cylindrical wire of radius R = 3.0 mm carrying uniform current density J = 5.0 × 10⁵ A/m², at radius r = 2.0 mm, and (b) outside the wire at r = 5.0 mm. (c) At what radius is the field maximum?
💡 Show Solution
Given:
R = 3.0 mm = 3.0 × 10⁻³ m
J = 5.0 × 10⁵ A/m² (uniform)
r₁ = 2.0 mm = 2.0 × 10⁻³ m (inside)
r₂ = 5.0 mm = 5.0 × 10⁻³ m (outside)
Total current:Itotal=J⋅πR2=(5.0×10
(a) Field inside (r < R):
Current enclosed by circle of radius r:
Ienc=J⋅πr2
Ampère's law: ∮B⋅dl
B(2πr)=μ0Jπr2
B=2μ0Jr
At r = 2.0 mm:
B=2(4π×10−
B=6.28×10−4 T=0.628 mT
(b) Field outside (r > R):
B=2πrμ0I
At r = 5.0 mm:
B=2π(5.0×10−3)
B=5.0×10−3(2×10
B=5.64×10−4 T=0.564 mT
(c) Maximum field:
Inside: B=2μ0Jr increases with r
Outside: B=2πrμ0I decreases with r
Maximum occurs at the surface:
rmax=R=3.0 mm
Bmax=2μ
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