37. A loop of wire has the shape of a right triangle (see the drawing) and carries a current of I = 4.70 A. A uniform magnetic field is directed parallel to side AB and has a magnitude of 1.80 T. (a) Find the magnitude and direction of the magnetic force exerted on each side of the triangle. (b) Determine the magnitude of the net force exerted on the triangle.

 

w1115

 

The magnetic force on a current carrying wire in a magnetic field can be written as

 

For segment AB,

Since the current is anti-parallel to the magnetic field, the cross product is zero and the magnetic force is also zero.

 

For segment AC,

The current is perpendicular to the magnetic field, by using the right hand rule for the cross product the direction of the force is into the paper!

 

 

 

For segment BC,

The current is at an angle to the magnetic field so we have

 

 

The direction this time by the right hand rule is out of the paper so the force on BC is

 

 

The total force then is

 

 

 

 

 

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This page last updated on June 21, 2018