What is Biot-Savart Law?
Biot-Savart’s law is an equation that gives the magnetic field produced due to a current carrying
segment. This segment is taken as a vector quantity known as the current element.
Biot Savart Law
What is the Formula of Biot-Savart’s Law?
Consider a current carrying wire ‘i’ in a specific direction as shown in the above figure. Take a
small element of the wire of length ds. The direction of this element is along that of the current
so that it forms a vector i ds.
To know the magnetic field produced at a point due to this small element, one can apply Biot-
Savart’s Law. Let the position vector of the point in question drawn from the current element be
r and the angle between the two be θ. Then,
|dB|=(μ04π)(IdlsinΘr2)
Where
μ0 is the permeability of free space and is equal to 4π × 10-7 TmA-1.
The direction of the magnetic field is always in a plane perpendicular to the line of element and
position vector. It is given by the right-hand thumb rule where the thumb points to the direction
of conventional current and the other fingers show the magnetic field’s direction.
Biot Savart Law
In the figure shown above, the direction of the magnetic field is pointing into the page.
This can be expressed in terms of vectors as:
d→B = μ04π i →ds ×^rr2
Let us use this law in an example to calculate the Magnetic field due to a wire carrying current in
a loop.
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Example of Biot-Savart’s Law
The magnetic field of Current Loop:
Consider a current loop of radius R with a current ‘i’ flowing in it. If we wish to find the electric
field at a distance l from the center of the loop due to a small element ds, we can use the Biot-
Savart Law as:
d→B = μ04π i d→s ×^rr2
Consider the current element ids at M which is coming out of a plane in the figure. Since r is in
the plane of the page, the two of them are perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, the
magnetic field produced db is also in the plane of the page.
dB = μ04π i ds . 1. sin 90⁰r2 = μ04π i dsr2
But from the figure,
R2 + l2 = r2
dB = μ04π i dsR2 + l2
Now, if we consider the diametrically opposite element at N, it produces a field such that it’s
component perpendicular to the axis of the loop is opposite to that of the field produced at M.
Thus only the axial components remain. We can divide the loop into diametrically opposite pairs
and apply the same logic.
Also note that from figure that
α=θ
∴ cos θ = R√R2 + l2
Thus,
dB cos θ = μ04π i dsR2 + l2 × R√R2 + l2
The total field will be thus,
B = ∫ μ04π i ds R(R2 + l2)32 = μ04π i R(R2 + l2)32 ∫ ds
B = μ04π i R(R2 + l2)32 × 2πR
B = μ0 i R22(R2 + l2)32
The right hand thumb rule can be used to find the direction of magnetic field.
Related Articles:
Derivation of Biot Savart Law
Applications of Biot-Savart’s Law
Some of Biot-Savart’s Law applications are given below.
We can use Biot–Savart law to calculate magnetic responses even at the atomic or molecular
level.
It is also used in aerodynamic theory to calculate the velocity induced by vortex lines.
What are the importance of Biot-Savart Law?
Following are the importance of Biot-Savart law:
Biot-Savart law is similar to the Coulomb’s law in electrostatics.
The law is applicable for very small conductors too which carry current.
The law is applicable for symmetrical current distribution.
Biot-Savart Law example Problems
Q1. Determine the magnitude of the magnetic field of a wire loop at the center of the circle with
radius R and current I?
Ans: The magnitude of the magnetic field of the wire loop is given as:
μ0I2R
Q2. A circular coil of radius 5 × 10-2 m and with 40 turns is carrying a current of 0.25 A.
Determine the magnetic field of the circular coil at the center.
Ans: The radius of the circular coil = 5 × 10-2 m
Number of turns of the circular coil = 40
Current carried by the circular coil = 0.25 A
Magnetic field is given as: B=μ0NI2a
= 4π×10−7T.m/A(40)0.25A2.50×10−2m
= 1.2 × 10-4 T
Q3. Determine the magnetic field at the center of the semicircular piece of wire with radius 0.20
m. The current carried by the semicircular piece of wire is 150 A.
Ans: The radius of the semicircular piece of wire = 0.20 m
Current carried by the semicircular piece of wire = 150 A
Magnetic field is given as: B=μ0NI2a
The differential form of Biot-Savart law is given as: dB=μ0I4πdIsinθr2
B=μ04πI∫dI×r^r2 =μ04πIr2∫dI =μ04πIr2πr =μ0I4r =4π×10−7T.m/A(150A)4(0.20m)
=2.4×10-4 T
Frequently Asked Questions
In which law of electricity is Biot Savart law of magnetism is analogous to?
Biot Savart law in magnetism is analogous to Coulomb’s law in electricity. According to Biot
Savart law, magnetic flux density H=μ0I.dlsinθ4πr2 which is analogous to the electric field
F=q1q24πϵ0r2 which is Coulomb’s law.
Name one property that cannot be calculated using Biot Savart law.
Electric field intensity cannot be calculated using Biot Savart law. It is used for calculating the
magnetic field intensity. Which is further used for calculating the flux density and permeability
using the formula B=μH.
Consider a circular conductor with 2m radius and 8A current flowing through it. Determine the
magnetic field intensity at the centre of the this circular conductor.
By using the formula B=μ0I2R we can determine the magnetic field intensity.
Substituting the values for current I = 8A and radius R = 2m, we get B =
8π×10−7T.
What is the magnetic field at the centre of the conductor when the conductor is subjected to a
current of 9A and with infinite radius?
The formula used for calculating the magnetic field is μ0I2R. Since R is infinite, the magnetic
field will be 0.
