$A$ long straight wire carrying a current of $25 \ A$ rests on a table as shown in the figure. Another wire $PQ$ of length $1 \ m$ and mass $2.5 \ g$ carries the same current but in the opposite direction. The wire $PQ$ is free to slide up and down. To what height $h$ will $PQ$ rise?

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(0.51 CM) The magnetic force on the wire $PQ$ due to the current-carrying wire on the table must balance the gravitational force acting on $PQ$ for it to remain in equilibrium at height $h$.
The magnetic field $B$ at a distance $h$ from the long straight wire carrying current $I = 25 \ A$ is given by:
$B = \frac{\mu_0 I}{2 \pi h}$
The magnetic force $F_m$ on the wire $PQ$ of length $l = 1 \ m$ carrying current $I$ is:
$F_m = I l B = I l \left( \frac{\mu_0 I}{2 \pi h} \right) = \frac{\mu_0 I^2 l}{2 \pi h}$
Since the currents are in opposite directions,the magnetic force is repulsive and acts upwards. At equilibrium,this force balances the weight $mg$ of the wire $PQ$:
$mg = \frac{\mu_0 I^2 l}{2 \pi h}$
Rearranging for $h$:
$h = \frac{\mu_0 I^2 l}{2 \pi m g}$
Given: $\mu_0 = 4 \pi \times 10^{-7} \ T \cdot m/A$,$I = 25 \ A$,$l = 1 \ m$,$m = 2.5 \times 10^{-3} \ kg$,$g = 9.8 \ m/s^2$:
$h = \frac{(4 \pi \times 10^{-7}) \times (25)^2 \times 1}{2 \pi \times (2.5 \times 10^{-3}) \times 9.8}$
$h = \frac{2 \times 10^{-7} \times 625}{2.5 \times 10^{-3} \times 9.8} = \frac{1250 \times 10^{-7}}{24.5 \times 10^{-3}} \approx 51.02 \times 10^{-4} \ m$
$h \approx 0.51 \times 10^{-2} \ m = 0.51 \ cm$

Explore More

Similar Questions

Two long parallel wires are at a distance of $1 \ m$. Both of them carry $1 \ A$ of current. The force of attraction per unit length between the two wires is

$A$ straight wire of mass $0.2 \,kg$ and length $1.5 \,m$ carries a current of $2 \,A$, as shown in the figure. It is suspended in mid-air by a uniform magnetic field $B$ pointing into the plane of the paper. Calculate the magnitude of the magnetic field. (Ignore Earth's magnetic field and assume $g = 10 \,m/s^2$) (in $\,T$)

The resultant force on the current loop $PQRS$ due to a long current-carrying conductor will be $..... \times 10^{-4} \text{ N}$.

Two long wires carrying currents $I_1$ and $I_2$ are arranged as shown in the figure. The wire carrying current $I_1$ is along the $x$-axis. The other wire carrying current $I_2$ is parallel to the $y$-axis,passing through the point $(0, 0, d)$. Find the magnetic force exerted on a segment of length $dl$ of the second wire at the point $O_2(0, 0, d)$ due to the wire carrying current $I_1$.

The horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field at a certain place is $3 \times 10^{-5} \, T$ and the direction of the field is from geographic south to geographic north. $A$ very long straight conductor is carrying a steady current of $1 \, A$. Calculate the force per unit length on it if the direction of the current is from east to west (in $N/m$).

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo