Four long, straight wires, each carrying a current of 5.0 A , are arranged in a plane as depicted in the figure. Their points of intersection create a square with a side length of 5.0 cm . Determine the magnetic field at the centre P of the square.

Step-by-step solution

Let the side length of the square be a = 5.0 cm and the current in each wire be I = 5.0 A . The center P of the square is at a perpendicular distance of a/2 from each of the four long, straight wires. Using the right-hand grip rule, the direction of the magnetic field produced by each wire at point P can be determined: The top horizontal wire carries current to the right, producing a magnetic field at P directed into the plane of the paper. The bottom horizontal wire carries current to the right, producing a magnet