Two long straight parallel conductors X and Y are separated by 6 cm and carry…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism · Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism · Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism
Problem
Two long straight parallel conductors X and Y are separated by 6 cm and carry currents of 5 A and 8 A respectively in opposite directions (X carries current upward, Y carries current downward). Point O lies exactly midway between the two conductors.
(a) Draw a neat diagram showing the directions of the magnetic fields produced by each conductor at point O.
(b) By comparing the field strengths produced by X and Y at O, determine which conductor produces the stronger field at that point. Justify your answer with suitable reasoning or calculation.
(c) Hence state the direction of the net magnetic field at point O.
(d) How would the direction of the net magnetic field at O change if the currents in X and Y were in the same direction instead of opposite directions? Explain briefly.