Question

A wire 48 m long carries a current of 18 A from west to east. If a magnetic field of 8.3 x 10-4 T directed toward the

south is acting on the wire, find the direction and magnitude of the magnetic force. (Remember F = BIL)
0.72 N left
-0.72 N left
0.72 N downward
-0.72 N downward

Answer 1

Using the right-hand rule, we can determine that the magnetic force will be directed upward, perpendicular to both the direction of current and the direction of the magnetic field.

The magnitude of the magnetic force can be calculated using the formula F = BIL, where B is the magnetic field strength, I is the current, and L is the length of the wire. Substituting the given values, we get:

F = (8.3 x 10^-4 T) x (18 A) x (48 m) = 0.72 N

Therefore, the direction and magnitude of the magnetic force is 0.72 N upward. However, the question asks for the direction of the magnetic force, which is to the left (in the westward direction) according to the right-hand rule. Therefore, the answer is -0.72 N left.