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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 ABCABC as shown in the figure. Assuming the wire to be uniform, determine the magnetic field BB at the centre OO of the triangle.
An equilateral triangle is formed by the wire ABC as shown in the figure. Assuming the wire to be uniform, determine

Options

  1. Aμ0I2πL\dfrac{\mu_0 I}{2 \pi L}, where II is the total current and LL is the side length
  2. BZero
  3. C3μ0I2πL\dfrac{\sqrt{3} \mu_0 I}{2 \pi L}, where II is the total current and LL is the side length
  4. D3μ0I2πL\dfrac{3 \mu_0 I}{2 \pi L}, where II is the total current and LL is the side length

Correct answer

B. Zero

Step-by-step solution

Let the total current entering at vertex AA be II. The current leaves from the midpoint MM of the side BCBC.

The current divides into two parallel paths: path A→B→MA \rightarrow B \rightarrow M and path A→C→MA \rightarrow C \rightarrow M.

Since the wire is uniform, the resistance of each path is proportional to its length. The length of path ABMABM is L+L/2=3L/2L + L/2 = 3L/2, and the length of path ACMACM is L+L/2=3L/2L + L/2 = 3L/2.

As the lengths and resistances of both paths are equal, the current splits equally. The current in branch ABMABM is I/2I/2 and the current in branch ACMACM is I/2I/2.

Let dd be the perpendicular distance from the centroid OO to each side of the equilateral triangle.

The magnetic field at OO due to the segment ABAB 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 OO due to the segment ACAC 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 BABB_{AB} and BACB_{AC} are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, they cancel each other out.

The magnetic field at OO due to the segment BMBM 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 OO due to the segment CMCM is B_{CM} = \dfrac{\mu_0 (I/2)}{4 \pi d} (\sin 60^{}^{{}^{\circ}} + \sin 0^{}^{{}^{\circ}}). Its direction is into the plane.

Similarly, BBMB_{BM} and BCMB_{CM} are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, so they also cancel each other out.

Therefore, the net magnetic field at the center OO of the triangle is zero.

Answer: Zero
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