A 2 A current enters at the corner d of a square frame abcd having a side length of 20 cm and exits at the opposite corner b . A magnetic field B = 0.1 T is present in the region, directed perpendicular to the plane of the frame as shown in the figure. Determine the magnitude and direction of the magnetic forces acting on the four sides of the frame.

Step-by-step solution

The total current entering the square frame at corner d is I = 2 A . Since the frame is a square made of uniform wire, the resistance of the path d a b is equal to the resistance of the path d c b . Therefore, the current splits equally into the two branches. Current in each side of the frame is: I_ da = I_ ab = I_ dc = I_ cb = 2 2 = 1 A The magnetic field is uniform, directed perpendicular to the plane of the frame and outwards (indicated by dots), so B = 0.1 k T . The magnitude of the magnetic force on each wire