Question

Two long, straight parallel wires are placed 38 cm apart, one above the other. The top and bottom wires are carrying currents 4.0 kA and 8.0 kA in opposite directions, correspondingly. What is the force per unit length (N/m) on the top wire

Answer 1

The force per unit length (N/m) on the top wire is 16.842 N/m

Step-by-step explanation:

Given;

distance between the two parallel wire, d = 38 cm = 0.38 m

current in the first wire, I₁ = 4.0 kA

current in the second wire, I₂ = 8.0 kA

Force per unit length, between two parallel wires is given as;

`(F)/(L) = (\mu_oI_1I_2 )/(2\pi d )`

where;

μ₀ is constant = 4π x 10⁻⁷ T.m/A

Substitute the given values in the above equation and calculate the force per unit length

`(F)/(L) = (\mu_oI_1I_2 )/(2\pi d ) = (4\pi *10^(-7)*4000*8000 )/(2\pi *0.38) = 16.842 \ N/m`

Therefore, the force per unit length (N/m) on the top wire is 16.842 N/m