To solve this question, we will use Ampere's Law, which links the magnetism around a closed loop to the electric current passing through that loop. Specifically, we can cast it into this form: B = (mu_0 * I) / (2*pi*r), where B is the magnetic field, mu_0 is the permeability of free space, I is the current we are trying to find, and r is the radius of the loop.
1. First, let's convert the diameter of the loop to the radius in meters. Given that the diameter is 1.0 cm, the radius will be diameter / 2 = 1.0 cm / 2 = 0.5 cm. Remembering that 1 cm = 0.01 m, the radius r = 0.5 cm * 0.01 m/cm = 0.005 m.
2. Next, convert the magnetic field from milliteslas (mT) to teslas (T). We're given that the magnetic field B = 2.9 mT. As 1 T = 1000 mT, this becomes B = 2.9 mT * (1 T / 1000 mT) = 0.0029 T.
3. Now, let's find mu_0, which is a physical constant known as the magnetic constant or the permeability of free space. By definition, mu_0 = 4*pi*10^-7 T*m/A.
4. Now we can solve the equation for current I. From the formula discussed earlier we can straighten it up to solve for I: I = B * 2 * pi * r / mu_0.
5. Substituting the given values: I = 0.0029 T * 2 * pi * 0.005 m / 4*pi*10^-7 T*m/A.
6. After performing the calculation, we find that the current I ≈ 72.5 A.
Therefore, the current passing through the loop is approximately 72.5 Amperes.