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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

Two parallel wires carry currents of 20 A and 40 A in opposite...

Two parallel wires carry currents of 20 A20 \text{ A} and 40 A40 \text{ A} in opposite directions. A third wire, which carries a current antiparallel to the 20 A20 \text{ A} current, is positioned exactly midway between the first two wires. The magnetic force acting on this third wire will be directed

Options

  1. Aperpendicular to the plane of the currents
  2. Btowards the 20 A20 \text{ A} wire
  3. Ctowards the 40 A40 \text{ A} wire
  4. Dzero

Correct answer

C. towards the 40 A40 \text{ A} wire

Step-by-step solution

Let the first wire carry a current I1=20 AI_1 = 20 \text{ A} in the upward direction and the second wire carry I2=40 AI_2 = 40 \text{ A} in the downward direction.

The third wire is placed midway between them and carries a current I3I_3 antiparallel to I1I_1, which means I3I_3 is in the downward direction.

The magnetic force between two parallel current-carrying wires is attractive if the currents are in the same direction, and repulsive if they are in opposite directions.

The current in the third wire (I3I_3) and the first wire (I1I_1) are in opposite directions. Therefore, the first wire repels the third wire, exerting a force directed away from the 20 A20 \text{ A} wire (towards the 40 A40 \text{ A} wire).

The current in the third wire (I3I_3) and the second wire (I2I_2) are in the same direction (both downward). Therefore, the second wire attracts the third wire, exerting a force directed towards the 40 A40 \text{ A} wire.

Since both individual forces acting on the third wire are directed towards the 40 A40 \text{ A} wire, the net magnetic force on it will also be directed towards the 40 A40 \text{ A} wire.
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