Question

A long wire carrying a 5.0 A current perpendicular to the xy-plane intersects the x-axis at x= - 2.0 cm . A second, parallel wire carrying a 3.5 A current intersects the x-axis at x=+ 2.0cm .
A). At what point on the x-axis is the magnetic field zero if the two currents are in the same direction?

B). At what point on the x-axis is the magnetic field zero if the two currents are in opposite directions?

Answer 1

Answer:

a . 0.35cm

b.  11.33cm

Explanation:

a. Given both currents are in the same direction, the null point lies in between them. Let x be distance of N from first wire, then distance from 2nd wire is 4-x

#For the magnetic fields to be zero,the fields of both wires should be equal and opposite.They are only opposite in between the wires:

$\frac{\mu_oi_1}{2\pi x}=\frac{\mu_oi_2}{2\pi(4-x)}\\\\5/x=\frac{3.5}{4-x}\\\\x=2.35cm\\\\N=2.35-2=0.35cm$

Hence, for currents in same direction, the point is 0.35cm

b. Given both currents flow in opposite directions, the null point lies on the other side.

#For the magnetic fields to be zero,the fields of both wires should be equal and opposite.They are only opposite in outside the wires:

Let x be distance of N from first wire, then distance from 2nd wire is 4+x:

$\frac{\mu_oi_1}{2\pi(4+ x)}=\frac{\mu_oi_2}{2\pi x}\\\\5/(4+x)=\frac{3.5}{x}\\\\x=9.33cm\\\\N=9.33+2=11.33cm$

Hence, if currents are in opposite directions the point on x-axis is 11.33cm