AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism 12.3 B Describe the Force Exerted on Current Carrying Wires By a Magnetic Field Questions

Describe magnetic forces and torques on current-carrying wires and loops by combining source-field models, cross products, superposition, and force balance.

Syllabus
Effective Fall 2024
Course
AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism

Exam points

  • determine the direction and magnitude of force on a wire from I times L cross B
  • predict attraction for parallel currents in the same direction and repulsion for opposite currents
  • calculate and scale the magnetic force per unit length between two long parallel wires
  • apply Newton's third law to compare the forces exerted by two current-carrying wires
  • superpose magnetic forces from several wires or rank forces on different loop segments

AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism 12.3 B Describe the Force Exerted on Current Carrying Wires By a Magnetic Field Questions question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

The figures above represent different views of two long, straight, horizontal wires, 1 and 2, carrying currents I1=II_{1}=I and I2=2II_{2}=2 I, respectively, in the directions shown. The wires are held in place. In Figure 1, the current in wire 1 is directed out of the page, and wire 1 is a distance d above wire 2. Point P is a horizontal distance d from wire 1 and a distance d directly above wire 2. Express your answers to parts (a) and (b) in terms of I, d, and physical constants, as appropriate.

Figure 1. Side view

Figure 1. Side view

Figure 2. Top view

Figure 2. Top view

Figure 1. Side view

Figure 1. Side view

Figure 2. Top view

Figure 2. Top view

Wire 1 is now released. Which of the following best describes the initial motion of wire 1 due to the magnetic field of wire 2 ? Assume gravitational effects are negligible.

Wire 1 will not move. Wire 1 will move upward as viewed in Figure 1. Wire 1 will move downward as viewed in Figure 1. Wire 1 will rotate clockwise as viewed in Figure 2. Wire 1 will rotate counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 2.

Justify your answer.

Figure 3. Side view

Figure 3. Side view

Wire 1 is now replaced by a conducting rectangular loop of length \ell, width w, and resistance R. The loop is placed a distance d from wire 2, as shown. The loop, wire, and distance d are all in the plane of the page. The long side of the loop is parallel to the wire. The current I2I_{2} for wire 2 is decreasing linearly as a function of time t according to the equation I2=2I0(1kt)I_{2}=2 I_{0}(1-k t), where k is a positive constant with units of s1s^{-1}.

Figure 3. Side view

Figure 3. Side view

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