Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
- Exam
- Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Magnetic Field
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2] · Physics · Magnetic Field
A circular wire-loop of radius a and carrying a current i is placed...
A circular wire-loop of radius and carrying a current is placed in a perpendicular magnetic field , as shown in the figure. Assume the radius of the wire's cross section is . Determine the increase in the radius of the loop when the magnetic field is switched off. The Young modulus of the wire's material is .

Options
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct answer
A.
Step-by-step solution
Consider a small element of the circular wire-loop subtending an angle at the center. The length of this element is .
The magnetic force acting on this small element is given by:
According to the right-hand rule (or Fleming's left-hand rule), since the current is counter-clockwise and the magnetic field is directed into the page, the magnetic force on each element is directed radially inward. This inward force compresses the loop.
To maintain equilibrium, a compressive force (tension) is developed in the wire. The outward radial component of this compressive force from the two ends of the element balances the inward magnetic force:
Since is very small, .
The compressive stress in the wire is the force per unit cross-sectional area:
The longitudinal strain in the wire is given by Hooke's law:
The strain is also equal to the fractional change in the circumference, which is the same as the fractional change in the radius:
Equating the two expressions for strain:
When the magnetic field is switched off, the compressive force vanishes, and the loop expands back to its natural length. Therefore, the increase in the radius of the loop is .
The magnetic force acting on this small element is given by:
According to the right-hand rule (or Fleming's left-hand rule), since the current is counter-clockwise and the magnetic field is directed into the page, the magnetic force on each element is directed radially inward. This inward force compresses the loop.
To maintain equilibrium, a compressive force (tension) is developed in the wire. The outward radial component of this compressive force from the two ends of the element balances the inward magnetic force:
Since is very small, .
The compressive stress in the wire is the force per unit cross-sectional area:
The longitudinal strain in the wire is given by Hooke's law:
The strain is also equal to the fractional change in the circumference, which is the same as the fractional change in the radius:
Equating the two expressions for strain:
When the magnetic field is switched off, the compressive force vanishes, and the loop expands back to its natural length. Therefore, the increase in the radius of the loop is .