Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 29 - Magnetic Fields Due to Currents - Problems - Page 860: 36c

Answer

The net magnetic force on wire 3 due to the currents in the other wires is $~~0$

Work Step by Step

We can write the general expression for the magnetic force on a current-carrying wire due to a parallel current-carrying wire: $F = \frac{\mu_0~L~i_1~i_2}{2\pi~d}$ Note that currents in the same direction attract each other. The force on wire 3 due to the currents in wire 1 and wire 2 is directed in the -y direction. The force on wire 3 due to the currents in wire 4 and wire 5 is directed in the +y direction. By symmetry, the net magnetic force on wire 3 due to the currents in the other wires is $~~0$
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