Question

Two parallel wires carry a current I in the same direction. Midway between these wires is a third wire, also parallel to the other two, which carries a current 0.5 I, but in the direction opposite from the first two wires. Two more wires with 0.5 I, in the same direct as the third wire, are placed the same distance as the third wire but on either side of the first two wires. In which direction are the net forces on the outer wires?

Answer 1

[ Find the attached file ]

First i draw a figure showing the condition, I had taken attractive force as +ve and repulsive force as - ve and thereafter calculating net force on outer left wire due to other wires, net force comes out to be - ve which tells us that force is repulsive, hence direction of force is away from wire as shown in figure.

Answer 2

Force is repulsive hence direction of force is away from wire

Step-by-step explanation:

The first thing will be to draw a figure showing the condition,

Lets takeI attractive force as +ve and repulsive force as - ve and thereafter calculating net force on outer left wire due to other wires, net force comes out to be - ve which tells us that force is repulsive, hence direction of force is away from wire as shown in figure in the attachment.