Question

Two rigid rods are oriented parallel to each other and to the ground. The rods carry the same current in the same direction. The length of each rod is 1.1 m, while the mass of each is 0.10 kg. One rod is held in place above the ground, and the other floats beneath it at a distance of 11 mm. Determine the current in the rods.

Answer 1

220 A

Step-by-step explanation:

The magnetic force on the floating rod due to the rod held close to the ground is F = BI₁L where B = magnetic field due to rod held close the ground = μ₀I₂/2πd where μ₀ = permeability of free space = 4π × 10⁻⁷ H/m, I₂ = current in rod close to ground and d = distance between both rods = 11 mm = 0.011 m. Also, I₁ = current in floating rod and L = length of rod = 1.1 m.

So, F = BI₁L

F = (μ₀I₂/2πd)I₁L

F = μ₀I₁I₂L/2πd

Given that the current in the rods are the same, I₁ = I₂ = I

So,

F = μ₀I²L/2πd

Now, the magnetic force on the floating rod equals its weight , W = mg where m = mass of rod = 0.10kg and g = acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/s²

So, F = W

μ₀I²L/2πd = mg

making I subject of the formula, we have

I² = 2πdmg/μ₀L

I = √(2πdmg/μ₀L)

substituting the values of the variables into the equation, we have

I = √(2π × 0.011 m × 0.1 kg × 9.8 m/s²/[4π × 10⁻⁷ H/m × 1.1 m])

I = √(0.01078 kgm²/s²/[2 × 10⁻⁷ H/m × 1.1 m])

I = √(0.01078 kgm²/s²/[2.2 × 10⁻⁷ H])

I = √(0.0049 × 10⁷kgm²/s²H)

I = √(0.049 × 10⁶kgm²/s²H)

I = 0.22 × 10³ A

I = 220 A