Two long, straight, parallel wires, labelled A and B, are fixed in a horizontal…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Magnetic Effects of Electric Current · Magnetic Effects of Electric Current
Problem
Two long, straight, parallel wires, labelled A and B, are fixed in a horizontal plane. The wires are separated by 6.0 cm and each carries a steady current of 10 A directed out of the page.
A point P is located 4.0 cm directly above the midpoint of the line joining the two wires.
(a) For each wire, state the direction of the magnetic field it produces at point P. Justify your answers using an appropriate rule.
(b) Compare the magnitudes of the magnetic‐field contributions from the two wires at point P and explain the comparison using geometric reasoning.
(c) Determine the direction of the net magnetic field at point P, supporting your conclusion with a clear vector argument.
(d) The current in wire B is now reversed while the current in wire A remains unchanged. Qualitatively discuss whether a point exists on the perpendicular bisector of the two wires where the net magnetic field is zero, and explain your reasoning.