Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
- Exam
- Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Magnetic Field due to a Current
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2] · Physics · Magnetic Field due to a Current
An equilateral triangle is formed by the wire ABC as shown in the...
An equilateral triangle is formed by the wire as shown in the figure. Assuming the wire to be uniform, determine the magnetic field at the centre of the triangle.


Options
- A, where is the total current and is the side length
- BZero
- C, where is the total current and is the side length
- D, where is the total current and is the side length
Correct answer
B. Zero
Step-by-step solution
Let the total current entering at vertex be . The current leaves from the midpoint of the side .
The current divides into two parallel paths: path and path .
Since the wire is uniform, the resistance of each path is proportional to its length. The length of path is , and the length of path is .
As the lengths and resistances of both paths are equal, the current splits equally. The current in branch is and the current in branch is .
Let be the perpendicular distance from the centroid to each side of the equilateral triangle.
The magnetic field at due to the segment is B_{AB} = \dfrac{\mu_0 (I/2)}{4 \pi d} (\sin 60^{}^{{}^{\circ}} + \sin 60^{}^{{}^{\circ}}). By the right-hand rule, its direction is into the plane.
The magnetic field at due to the segment is B_{AC} = \dfrac{\mu_0 (I/2)}{4 \pi d} (\sin 60^{}^{{}^{\circ}} + \sin 60^{}^{{}^{\circ}}). Its direction is out of the plane.
Since and are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, they cancel each other out.
The magnetic field at due to the segment is B_{BM} = \dfrac{\mu_0 (I/2)}{4 \pi d} (\sin 60^{}^{{}^{\circ}} + \sin 0^{}^{{}^{\circ}}). Its direction is out of the plane.
The magnetic field at due to the segment is B_{CM} = \dfrac{\mu_0 (I/2)}{4 \pi d} (\sin 60^{}^{{}^{\circ}} + \sin 0^{}^{{}^{\circ}}). Its direction is into the plane.
Similarly, and are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, so they also cancel each other out.
Therefore, the net magnetic field at the center of the triangle is zero.
Answer: Zero
The current divides into two parallel paths: path and path .
Since the wire is uniform, the resistance of each path is proportional to its length. The length of path is , and the length of path is .
As the lengths and resistances of both paths are equal, the current splits equally. The current in branch is and the current in branch is .
Let be the perpendicular distance from the centroid to each side of the equilateral triangle.
The magnetic field at due to the segment is B_{AB} = \dfrac{\mu_0 (I/2)}{4 \pi d} (\sin 60^{}^{{}^{\circ}} + \sin 60^{}^{{}^{\circ}}). By the right-hand rule, its direction is into the plane.
The magnetic field at due to the segment is B_{AC} = \dfrac{\mu_0 (I/2)}{4 \pi d} (\sin 60^{}^{{}^{\circ}} + \sin 60^{}^{{}^{\circ}}). Its direction is out of the plane.
Since and are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, they cancel each other out.
The magnetic field at due to the segment is B_{BM} = \dfrac{\mu_0 (I/2)}{4 \pi d} (\sin 60^{}^{{}^{\circ}} + \sin 0^{}^{{}^{\circ}}). Its direction is out of the plane.
The magnetic field at due to the segment is B_{CM} = \dfrac{\mu_0 (I/2)}{4 \pi d} (\sin 60^{}^{{}^{\circ}} + \sin 0^{}^{{}^{\circ}}). Its direction is into the plane.
Similarly, and are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, so they also cancel each other out.
Therefore, the net magnetic field at the center of the triangle is zero.
Answer: Zero