10.

MAGNETIC FIELDS DUE TO ELECTRIC CURRENT BY GHUFRAN KHAN

ISLAMIA JUNIOR COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, NAGPUR.

10. MAGNETIC FIELDS DUE TO

Q.3 State the expression for magnetic force
ELECTRIC CURRENT
acting on a current carrying conductor of
INTRODUCTION: length ‘l’ in magnetic field.
Consider a straight conductor carrying current
In 1820,Hans Christian Oersted discovered
I placed in a uniform magnetic field of induction
that magnetic field is produced by an electric
�⃗ . Let L be the length of conductor. Force ( F)
𝐵𝐵
current passing through a wire. By using right hand
rule we can determine direction of magnetic field. acting on the conductor is given by
Similarly, every current carrying conductor will
behave like a magnet. Gauss, Henry, Faraday and
others showed that magnetic field is an important
consequence of electric field. Q.4 What is Lorentz force? Obtain equation

N
of Lorentz force.
Right hand thumb rule: When a charged particle moves through a
If a current carryirig straight conductor is region in which both electric and magnetic field

A
imagined to be held in the right hand such that the are present, then the net force experienced by that
thumb points in the direction of the current, then charged particle is sum of electrostatic force and
curled fingers of the hand indicates the direction of magnetic force and is called as Lorentz force.

H
magnetic field or induction.
If both electric field 𝐸𝐸�⃗ and the magnetic
�⃗ are present, the net force on charge q
field 𝐵𝐵

K moving with the velocity 𝑣𝑣⃗ is the sum of

electrostatic force(𝐹𝐹⃗ e) and magnetic force(𝐹𝐹⃗ m),
N
Q.1 State the expression for magnetic force
acting on a moving charge in magnetic field. The above equation represents Lorentz force.
A

When a charged particle carrying a charge q moves

�⃗ then
with velocity 𝑣𝑣⃗ in a uniform magnetic field 𝐵𝐵 Q.5 Write the consequences of Lorentz
force acting on the conductor is given by, force.
FR

(i) If the velocity 𝑣𝑣⃗ of a charged particle is parallel

to the magnetic field 𝐵𝐵 �⃗ , the magnetic force is
zero.
According to the property of cross product, the (ii) If the charge is stationary, 𝑣𝑣⃗ = 0
direction of this force will be perpendicular on the Force = 0
U

�⃗ which is obtained by
plane formed by 𝑣𝑣⃗ and 𝐵𝐵 (iii) if v and B make certain angle with each
Fleming’s left hand rule. other then, according to properties of cross
�⃗ )
H

product, direction of magnetic force (𝑣𝑣⃗ x 𝐵𝐵

Q.2 State Fleming’s left hand rule.
is a vector perpendicular to plane containing
“If we stretch the index finger, middle
�⃗ .
vectors 𝑣𝑣⃗ and 𝐵𝐵
finger and thumb of left hand mutually
G

perpendicular to each other. If the index finger

points along the direction of magnetic field and the Q.6 Write the S.I unit and dimensions of
middle finger along the direction of current magnetic field.
(moving charge), then the thumb represents the F=qvB
𝐹𝐹
direction of the force 𝐹𝐹⃗ experienced by the moving ⸫B=
charge”. 𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞
𝑁𝑁 𝑠𝑠
S.I unit of B = or tesla (T)
𝐶𝐶 𝑚𝑚
Dimensions of B are,

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10. MAGNETIC FIELDS DUE TO ELECTRIC CURRENT BY GHUFRAN KHAN
ISLAMIA JUNIOR COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, NAGPUR.

Q.7 What is Cyclotron accelerator? Explain

principle, construction and working of cyclotron.
Cyclotron: The cyclotron is a device used to
accelerate positively charged particle to high
energies.
Principle:
(i) When a positively charged particle moves
at right angles to a uniform magnetic field, it
performs circular motion.
(ii) If positively charged particle repeatedly Expression for frequency:
crosses an electric field while moving in the The time period of full revolution of a charged
direction of electric field, it get accelerated to a particle in a cyclotron is given by,
sufficiently high velocity or energy.

N
Construction:

1
But frequency (f) =

A
𝑇𝑇

H
Expression for maximum kinetic energy of
positively charged particle in cyclotron:
For a positively charged particle of mass

K
‘m’ in cyclotron, centripetal force required to
perform U.C.M. along semi-circular path is
ACyclotron consists of two semi­circular provided by magnetic force,
disc-like metal chambers D1 and D2, called the
N
dees. A uniform magnetic field B is applied
perpendicular to plane of the Ds. This magnetic
field is produced using an electromagnet producing
A

a field upto l.5T. An alternating voltage upto

10,000V at high frequency, 10MHz (fo) is applied
between the two Ds. Positive ions are produced by Kinetic energy of charged particle is
FR

gas ionising source kept at point P in between the

two Ds.
Working:
Consider a positively charged particle is
produced by ion source at P. At that instant, D2 is
having negative potential and D1 is having positive
U

potential. So, the particle is attracted towards D2. Q.8 Explain the helical motion of a charged
Magnetic field causes the particle to move along a particle in magnetic field.
circular path. The necessary centripetal force is
H

When a charged particle moves is a plane

provided by magnetic force. perpendicular to the magnetic field has a
Magnetic force = centripetal force component of velocity parallel to B then it leads to
helical motion.
G

This equation represents the cyclotron formula.

�⃗ , the
Since a v11 component is parallel to 𝐵𝐵
Expression for Time period : magnetic force fm will be,
Time required to complete one revolution is given
by,
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10. MAGNETIC FIELDS DUE TO ELECTRIC CURRENT BY GHUFRAN KHAN
ISLAMIA JUNIOR COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, NAGPUR.

Thus v11 will not be affected and the particle will infinitesimal length all along the wire. Then the
move along the direction of B . At the same time, magnetic force due to the perpendicular magnetic
the perpendicular component of the velocity ( v∟) �⃗ is given by,
field 𝐵𝐵
leads to circular motion. The particle parallel to
the field B while moving along a circular path
perpendicular to B . Thus the path becomes a helix
and this motion is called helical motion.

Q.9 Derive an expression for force

experienced by a current carrying straight wire
in a uniform magnetic field B.
Q.11 Derive an expression for magnetic force

N
on a closed circuit in a magnetic field.
For arbitrarily shaped wire magnetic force
is given by,

A
For a closed circuit this equation can be written as

H
Consider a straight wire of length L. An
external magnetic field 𝐵𝐵 �⃗ is applied perpendicular
to the wire. Let a current I flows through the wire

K
under an applied potential difference.Let vd be the
drift velocity of conduction electrons in the part of The term in the bracket is the sum of vectors along
length L of the wire. Let q be the charge flowing in a closed circuit. Hence it is zero.
time t and it is given by,
N
Q.12 Derive an expression for torque acting on
a rectangular coil carrying current placed in a
uniform magnetic field.
A
FR
U
H

A current carrying wire loop in rectangular

Q.10 Derive an expression for the magnetic shape is placed in the uniform magnetic field in
force acting on arbitrarily shape wire. such a way that the segments ab and cd are
G

perpendicular to the field B. Using right hand

rule,we can find the direction of the magnetic force.
Let the pointing finger given the direction of the
current, the middle finger given the direction of the
magnetic field B, then the stretched thumb will give
the direction of the magnetic force. Therefore the
force acting on the coil can be seen as follows,

Consider an arbitrarily shaped wire

carrying a current I placed in the magnetic field B.
Let I be the current flowing through a segment of

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10. MAGNETIC FIELDS DUE TO ELECTRIC CURRENT BY GHUFRAN KHAN
ISLAMIA JUNIOR COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, NAGPUR.

It consists of rectangular coil PQRS made

up of large number of turns of thin insulated
copper wire wound on a light aluminum frame. A
soft iron cylindrical core (0) is mounted inside the
aluminium frame such that the coil can rotate
around the cyclindrical core.
A small mirror attached to the suspension
wire is used to measure the deflection of the coil by
lamp and scale arrangement. The upper end of the
wire is connected to a rotating screw head so that
plane of the coil can be adjusted in any desired
position. A soft iron cylinder is fixed inside the coil
such that the coil rotate freely between the poles of

N
the magnet , and the concave pole pieces. Soft iron
cylinder produces strong radial magnetic field. The
soft iron cylinder increases the strength of the

A
magnetic field.

Working: Let PQRS be a rectangular coil

H
carrying current I. Let PQ = RS = l = be the length
of coil and PS = QR = h =breadth of coil. The coil
is suspended in a magnetic field B . The forces

K acting on PQ and RS are equal in magnitude but

opposite in direction.
N
A

⸫ τ = mB sinθ
Where m is magnetic dipole moment of the coil
FR

Q.13 Explain the construction and working of

a moving coil galvanometer. Hence, show that a
current flowing through it is directly
proportional to the deflection.
U

Introduction: A galvanometer is an instrument

used for detection of current and voltage. Its
working is based on the magnetic effect of electric
H

current.
Construction:
G

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10. MAGNETIC FIELDS DUE TO ELECTRIC CURRENT BY GHUFRAN KHAN
ISLAMIA JUNIOR COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, NAGPUR.

Q.14 Define magnetic dipole moment of a Q.17 Derive an expression for magnetic field
current carrying coil. at a point near infinitely long straight wire.
Magnetic dipole moment (m): It is defined as the
product of current passing through the coil and area
of the coil.
m=IA
for N turns m=NIA

Q.15 What is magnetic potential energy of a

Consider a point P situated at a

N
magnetic dipole?
perpendicular distance R from the long straight
A magnetic dipole freely suspended in a
wire of length l carrying current I. Consider
magnetic field possesses magnetic potential energy
infinitesimal length ���⃗
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 of wire carrying current I,

A
because of its orientation in the field. The magnetic
potential energy of a magnetic dipole M in then ,
magnetic field is given by, ���⃗
current element = I 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

H
Current element is situated at distance r from point
P making an angle θ, as shown in figure above.
According to Biot-Savart’s law

K Summing up all the current elements of upper half

of infinitely long wire,
N
Taking into account symmetry of wire, current
A

element in lower half will also contribute the same

Q.16 State and explain Biot-Savart’s law. as upper half.
Biot-Savart’s law: The magnitude of magnetic Bupper = Blower
FR

induction (dB) at a point due to a small element of Total magnetic field at P ,

current carrying conductor is
i) directly proportional to the current
ii) directly proportional to the length of the
element.
iii) directly proportional to the sine of the
U

angle between the element and the line

joining the center of the element to the
point and
H

iv) inversely proportional to the square of

the distance of the point from the center
of the element.
G

���⃗
Where, θ is the angle between the directions of 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
and 𝑟𝑟⃗ . µ0 is called permeability of free space This is the required expression.
given by,
Q.18 Derive an expression for force between
two long current carrying parallel wire
Vectorially, separated by a small distance.
Consider two long parallel and straight conductors
carrying current I1 and I2 in the same direction and
separated by a distance d.
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10. MAGNETIC FIELDS DUE TO ELECTRIC CURRENT BY GHUFRAN KHAN
ISLAMIA JUNIOR COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, NAGPUR.

The length of element ( ���⃗

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑) is always
perpendicular to radius (r). Therefore angle
between element and radius is 90°.

The magnetic induction B1 due to wire carrying

current I1 is,
The total field at O is,

According to Lorentz force law, force on second

wire because of current I2 and magnetic field B1 is

N
given by,

A
H
The direction of this force is towards first wire.
Similarly force acting on first wire is,

The direction of this force is towards second wire.

NOTE:
1) If the current I1 and I2 are parallel, The
K
N
force will be attractive force.
2) If the current I1 and I2 are anti parallel, The Q.20 Derive an expression for the axial
force will be repulsive force. magnetic field produced by current in a circular
loop.
A

Q.19 Derive an expression for magnetic field

Idl
produced by a current in a circular arc of wire.
FR

I
P
U

Consider a circular loop of a wire carrying

current I and having radius R. Let dl - be the length
of element of circular loop of wire in y-z plane
H

Let P - be the any point on the axis of circular loop

i.e. at point P on X - axis at distance r from element
dl. By Biot-Savart's law, magnitude of the magnetic
G

field dB at P is given by,

Consider circular arc AB carrying current I

and having radius r. Let dl be the length of ���⃗ will always be perpendicular to
Any element 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
element of arc AB The arc AB subtends an angle
the 𝑟𝑟⃗. Hence
θ at the center O. dB be the magnetic field
produced at O.
By Biot-Savart’s law,

Where r2 = R2 + x2

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10. MAGNETIC FIELDS DUE TO ELECTRIC CURRENT BY GHUFRAN KHAN
ISLAMIA JUNIOR COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, NAGPUR.

⸫ dB =
𝜇𝜇0 𝐼𝐼 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 Q.21 Explain how a current loop acts as a
4𝜋𝜋 𝑅𝑅 2 +𝑥𝑥 2 dipole?
At P, dB can be resolved into two components, Consider a loop carrying current in
i) dB cos θ - perpendicular to x-axis anticlockwise direction. Applying right hand
ii) dB sin θ - along x-axis. thumb rule direction of magnetic field can be found
All perpendicular component cancel each other to be as shown in figure below:
due to symmetry while all component along x-axis
are added.
The net contribution along x-axis is obtained by
integrating dBx = dB sin θ over the entire loop.
Bx = ∫ 𝑑𝑑𝐵𝐵𝑥𝑥
Bx = ∫ 𝑑𝑑𝐵𝐵 sin 𝜃𝜃

N
𝜇𝜇0 𝐼𝐼 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
Bx = ∫ 2 sin 𝜃𝜃
4𝜋𝜋 𝑅𝑅 +𝑥𝑥2

A
𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅 Comparing with magnetic field lines originating
from figure, sin θ = = from bar magnet it can be stated that upper part of
𝑟𝑟
�𝑅𝑅2 +𝑥𝑥2 loop in this case behaves like north pole while

H
lower part can be regarded as south pole. Therefore
𝜇𝜇0 𝐼𝐼 𝑅𝑅𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
Bx = ∫ 3
a current loop acts as a dipole.
4𝜋𝜋 2 �
(𝑅𝑅 +𝑥𝑥2 ) 2

Bx =
2
𝜇𝜇0 𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅
�
4𝜋𝜋(𝑅𝑅 +𝑥𝑥2 ) 2
3 ∫ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
K Q.22 State and explain Ampere’s law.
Statement: “The line integral of magnetic field
�⃗ around any closed path in free spape
of induction 𝐵𝐵
is equal to absolute permeability of free space (µ0)
N
times the total current (I) flowing through area
𝜇𝜇0 𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅
Bx = 3� x 2πR bounded by the path.”
4𝜋𝜋(𝑅𝑅 2 +𝑥𝑥 2 ) 2
A

𝜇𝜇0 𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅 2
Bx = 3�
2(𝑅𝑅 2 +𝑥𝑥 2 ) 2
Explanation:
FR

This is the magnitude of the magnetic field at an

axial point of circular current carrying.

Axial magnetic field in terms of dipole

moment:
U

Above equation can be written as,

𝜇𝜇0 2𝐼𝐼𝜋𝜋𝑅𝑅 2
Bx =
H

4𝜋𝜋 (𝑅𝑅 2 +𝑥𝑥 2 )3�2

In the above figure, cross section of four
But Area = A = πR2 long straight wires carrying currents I1,I2 ,I3 and I4
G

𝜇𝜇0 2𝐼𝐼𝐴𝐴 into or out of the plane of the paper are shown.
⸫ Bx =
4𝜋𝜋 (𝑅𝑅 2 +𝑥𝑥 2 )3�2 Draw Amperian loop along 3 of the current wires
and not the fourth one. As the current goes
Magnetic dipole moment = m = IA perpendicular to the plane of the paper, B is in the
𝜇𝜇0 2𝑚𝑚 plane of the paper even if its direction is unknown.
⸫ Bx = Let dl be the length of element of Amperian loop.
4𝜋𝜋 (𝑅𝑅 2 +𝑥𝑥 2 )3�2
According to right hand thumb rule a
At large distance from the loop x >>R current in the direction of the stretched thumb is
𝜇𝜇0 𝐼𝐼𝑅𝑅 2 𝜇𝜇0 𝑚𝑚 assigned positive sign and the current in the
Bx = = direction opposite to the thumb is assigned negative
2𝑥𝑥 3 2𝜋𝜋𝑥𝑥 3
sign. Therefore I1 and I2 are positive and I3 is
negative.
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10. MAGNETIC FIELDS DUE TO ELECTRIC CURRENT BY GHUFRAN KHAN
ISLAMIA JUNIOR COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, NAGPUR.

helix. The diameter of the coil is much smaller than

its length. Figure shows diagram of a cross section
of a current carrying solenoid. The density of
magnetic field lines along the axis and within the
solenoid at certain distance away form the wire is
uniform, hence magnetic field 𝑩𝑩 ��⃗ is parallel to the
axis of the solenoid. The lines are widely spaced
Q.23 Obtain an expression for magnetic outside the solenoid and hence the magnetic field is
field at a distance r from straight current weak there or may be considered zero.
conducting wire using Ampere’s law.
Consider a long straight conductor Q.25 Using Ampere’s law, obtain an
expression for magnetic field on the axis of long
carrying current I. Let P be any point at a straight current carrying ideal solenoid.

N
distance r from conductor.To find magnetic
field at P, Draw an Amperian loop around
the conductor. Let dl be the small element

A
�⃗ and ���⃗
of the loop. 𝐵𝐵 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 are tangential to the
loop which is a circle of radius r . ⸫ θ = 0.

H
Consider an ideal solenoid having closely

K packed coils.
Let I = Current through the solenoid.
N = Number of turns in solenoid
N
B = Magnitude of magnetic field inside the
solenoid. Consider a rectangular amperian
closed path abcd as shown in figure, where
A

ab= L. Applying Ampere’s law to the

closed loop abcd,
FR

Over the rectangular loop abcd, the above

integral takes the form
U
H

Q.24 Discuss the magnetic field due to

current carrying solenoid
G

𝑏𝑏
and ∫𝑎𝑎 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝐿𝐿

For N number of turns,

A solenoid is an arrangement in which a

long conducting wire is wound in a closely packed where n =N/L= no.of turns per unit length.
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10. MAGNETIC FIELDS DUE TO ELECTRIC CURRENT BY GHUFRAN KHAN
ISLAMIA JUNIOR COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, NAGPUR.

Q.26 Using Ampere’s law obtain an

expression for magnetic induction at a
point along the axis of a toroid.

N
A
Consider an ideal toroid. Let I= The current

H
through toroid in clockwise direction, R =
The mean radius of toroid whose centre is
at O and N = Total number of turns in the
toroid.
To find the magnetic induction along the
axis of toroid, imagine an amperian loop of
K
N
radius R inside the toroid. Magnitude of 𝐵𝐵 �⃗
is same everywhere on this closed path and
A

magnetic field lines are concentric circles

with centre 'O'.
Angle between 𝐵𝐵 �⃗ and ���⃗
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 is zero everywhere
FR

so cosθ = 1.
By Ampere’s law,
U
H
G

This is the required expression.

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