Calculating Current and Magnetic Field of Wire: Magnetism Question Solution

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In summary, the conversation discusses a problem involving a compass needle pointing at different angles in different locations due to the Earth's magnetic field and a wire's magnetic field. The question asks for the magnitude and direction of the current in the wire. The equations Sin=O/H, Cos=A/H, and B=UI/ 2(pi)R are mentioned as potential tools to solve the problem. The conversation also mentions the horizontal and vertical components of the Earth's magnetic field and the need for finding the components of the wire's magnetic field. There is some confusion about the concept of magnetic field lines and their relevance to the problem.
  • #1
Boulderbison19
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Homework Statement



A compas needle points 20 degrees East of North outdoors. However, when it is placed 8cm to the east of a vertical wire inside a building, it points 55 degrees east of north. what is the magnitude and the direction of the current in the wire? the Earth's field is 5.0E-5 and is horizontal

Homework Equations



Sin=O/H Cos=A/H

B=UI/ 2(pi)R

The Attempt at a Solution



i solved for the horizontal and vertical components of the Earth's magnetic field and found the components for the x and y to be 4.56E-5 and 2.04E-5 respectively.

i am stuck on how to find the components for the magnetic field of the wire.

any help will be greatly appreciated
 
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  • #2
What do the magnetic field lines around a wire look like?
 
  • #3
there is no diagram, that is all the information given about the problem. i copied the problem word for word out of the book.
 
  • #4
You didn't cover magnetic field lines in class? The book doesn't cover them in the section preceding the problem?
 
  • #5
it does, but it doesn't cover this type of question.
 

FAQ: Calculating Current and Magnetic Field of Wire: Magnetism Question Solution

How do you calculate the current in a wire?

To calculate the current in a wire, you can use Ohm's Law, which states that current (I) is equal to voltage (V) divided by resistance (R). This can be represented by the formula I=V/R. You can also use a multimeter to directly measure the current in a wire.

How do you calculate the magnetic field of a wire?

To calculate the magnetic field of a wire, you can use the Biot-Savart Law, which states that the magnetic field (B) at a certain point is equal to the current (I) multiplied by a constant (μ0), divided by 4π, and multiplied by the sine of the angle between the current and the point in question. This can be represented by the formula B= (μ0*I)/(4π*r*sinθ), where r is the distance between the wire and the point, and θ is the angle between the wire and the point.

How does current affect the strength of a magnetic field?

The strength of a magnetic field is directly proportional to the current flowing through a wire. This means that as the current increases, the magnetic field strength also increases. Similarly, if the current decreases, the magnetic field strength decreases.

How does the distance from a wire affect the strength of the magnetic field?

The strength of a magnetic field is inversely proportional to the distance from the wire. This means that as the distance from the wire increases, the magnetic field strength decreases. Similarly, as the distance decreases, the magnetic field strength increases.

What factors can affect the accuracy of calculations for current and magnetic field of a wire?

There are several factors that can affect the accuracy of calculations for current and magnetic field of a wire. These include the shape and size of the wire, the material of the wire, external magnetic fields, and the presence of other conductors nearby. It is important to take these factors into consideration when performing calculations for current and magnetic field.

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