Question

Consider two parallel conducting wires along the direction of the z axis as shown below. Wire 1 crosses the x-axis at x = -2.30cm and carries a current of 3.30A out of the xy-plane of the page. Wire 2 (right) crosses the x axis at x = 2.30cm and carries a current of 7.60A into the xy plane.

Answer 1

When two parallel wires carry current in the same direction, they experience an attractive force. When they carry current in opposite directions, they experience a repulsive force. The strength of the magnetic field decreases as the distance from the wire increases.

Step-by-step explanation:

Parallel Conducting Wires and Magnetic Field

When two parallel wires carry electric current in the same direction, the wires experience an attractive magnetic force between them. However, when they carry current in opposite directions, the wires experience a repulsive magnetic force. The magnetic field lines around each wire form concentric circles with the wire as the center. The strength of the magnetic field decreases as the distance from the wire increases.

For example, when Wire 1 crosses the x-axis at x = -2.30cm and carries a current of 3.30A out of the xy-plane, the magnetic field lines around it will form concentric circles around Wire 1. The same applies to Wire 2 when it crosses the x-axis at x = 2.30cm and carries a current of 7.60A into the xy-plane.

Answer 2

In this scenario, two parallel wires carrying current in the same direction will attract each other due to the magnetic force between them.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the given scenario, we have two parallel wires carrying current in the same direction. According to the right-hand rule, the magnetic fields produced by these currents will be circular and will interact with each other.

The magnetic force between two parallel conductors depends on the direction of the currents. If the currents are flowing in the same direction, the wires will attract each other. If the currents are flowing in opposite directions, the wires will repel each other.

In this case, since the currents are flowing in the same direction, the wires will attract each other. The magnitude and direction of the magnetic force per unit length can be calculated using the formula F = μ₀I₁I₂d/(2πr), where F is the force, μ₀ is the permeability of free space, I₁ and I₂ are the currents flowing in the wires, d is the distance between the wires, and r is the distance from one wire to the point where we want to calculate the force.