Two current carrying wires cross at right angles (like a + sign).
Wire 1 has current directed horizontally to the left. Wire 2 has current directed vertically up.
If the wires are not restrained, what statement best describes the motion of the wires?
A) Wire 1 moves out of the page; Wire 2 moves into the page
B) Wire 1 rotates clockwise; Wire 2 rotates counterclockwise
C) Wire 1 rotates counterclockwise; Wire 2 rotates clockwise
D) Wire 1 moves up; Wire 2 moves to the left
E) Wire 1 moves down; Wire 2 moves to the right
The wires will rotate until the magnetic fields are in the same direction.
I am still confused as to which direction the wires will rotate.
Using the right hand rule, I found that the magnetic field of both wires will rotate counterclockwise (if you look from above and from the left side).
Nevermind I figured it out thanks.
i don't get it
To determine the motion of the wires, we need to understand the interaction between the currents flowing through the wires and the resulting magnetic forces.
According to Ampere's Right-Hand Rule, when a current flows through a wire, a magnetic field is created around it. The interaction between the magnetic fields generated by the two wires will determine their motion.
In this scenario, Wire 1 has a horizontal current flowing to the left, and Wire 2 has a vertical current flowing up. The magnetic field around Wire 1 will encircle it, and the magnetic field around Wire 2 will create concentric circles around it.
To determine the direction of the resultant magnetic force, we can apply the Right-Hand Rule.
1. For Wire 1:
- Point your right-hand thumb in the direction of the current in Wire 1 (to the left).
- Curl your fingers towards the direction of the magnetic field generated by Wire 2 (upwards).
- The resultant force on Wire 1 will be out of the page (away from you).
2. For Wire 2:
- Point your right-hand thumb in the direction of the current in Wire 2 (upwards).
- Curl your fingers towards the direction of the magnetic field generated by Wire 1 (to the left).
- The resultant force on Wire 2 will be into the page (towards you).
Based on this analysis, the correct statement is:
A) Wire 1 moves out of the page; Wire 2 moves into the page.