Question

Find the magnitude of the force that our planet's magnetic field exerts on this wire if it is oriented so that the current in it is running from west to east.

Answer 1

Answer: F = 2.1 x 10^-4N

Explanation: Question is incomplete.

The complete question is; A straight, 2.5-m wire carries a typical household current of 1.5 A (in one direction) at a location where the earth’s magnetic field is 0.55 gauss from south to north. Find the magnitude and direction of the force that our planet’s magnetic field exerts on this wire if it is oriented so that the current in it is running (a) from west to east.

Given parameters; l = 2.5m, I = 1.5A, B = 0.55 guass = 0.55 x 10^-4 Tesla , theta = 90 (from West to East), F = ?

F = BILsin(theta)

F = 0.55 x 10^-4 x 1.5 x 2.5 x sin 90

F = 2.1 x 10^-4 N.

According to right hand rule, it's direction is upward.