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Two parallel horizontal conducting wires are suspended by light vertical threads of length 75 cm. Each conductor has a mass of 40 g per metre, and when there is no current they are 0.5 cm apart. Equal current in the wires results in a separation of 1.5 cm. Find the value of current in the conductors.

User JustinHui
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Final answer:

To find the value of the current in the conductors, we can use the concept of magnetic forces between parallel wires carrying currents. The formula for the magnetic force per unit length is F = (μ₀I₁I₂L)/(2πd). By setting up an equation with the given information, we can solve for the current in the conductors. Hence, the current in conductors is 0.33 times the original current.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the value of the current in the conductors, we can use the concept of magnetic forces between parallel wires carrying currents. The magnetic force per unit length between the wires is given by the formula:

F = (μ₀I₁I₂L)/(2πd)

where F is the force per unit length, μ₀ is the magnetic permeability of free space, I₁ and I₂ are the currents in the wires, L is the length of the wires, and d is the separation between the wires.

In this case, we are given that the separation between the wires changes from 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm when equal currents flow in the wires. Using this information, we can set up the following equation:

(μ₀IL)/(2π(0.5 cm)) = (μ₀IL)/(2π(1.5 cm))

Simplifying this equation, we can cancel out μ₀ and L, and solve for the value of I:

I = (0.5 cm)/(1.5 cm) = 0.33 times the original current

Therefore, the value of the current in the conductors is 0.33 times the original current.

User Marat Ibragimov
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