Question: A square current loop is positioned between two long, straight wires carrying currents I as shown in Figure P20.103. All the wires lie in the

A square current loop is positioned between two long, straight wires carrying currents I as shown in Figure P20.103. All the wires lie in the same plane, and two sides of the loop are parallel to the long wires. If the current loop is placed precisely in the middle between the two long wires, the net force Fnet on the loop from the magnetic fields produced by the two wires will be zero and the loop will be in mechanical equilibrium.
(a) If the loop is pushed a small amount to the left so that it is slightly closer to the wire on the left than the one on the right, will Fnet be
(i) to the left,
(ii) to the right,
(iii) toward the top of the page,
(iv) toward the bottom of the page?
(b) Repeat part (a), but now suppose the direction of the current is the loop is reversed (i.e., opposite that shown in the figure).


Figure P20.103

Figure P20.103

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Since the magnetic field caused by a wire diminishes with distance then the force exerted by that magnetic field on another wire diminishes as well Th... View full answer

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