Right Hand Rule Associated Question

[Fizickstudent]

Homework Statement

What will happen to the two wires shown in the diagram (in the attachments)?

A: nothing will happen
B: repel each other
C: attract each other

The answer is "B", they will repel each other.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I thought it would attract because the current in the two wires are coming in from different directions/ sides signifying that the electric fields are not the same, and if the electric fields are different then there must be an attraction.

But that was just my guess, could someone tell me why the two wires repel each other instead of attract each other?

 

[Doc Al]

This is a question about magnetic fields, not electric fields.

Answer these:
(1) What is the magnetic field created by the bottom wire? (Use a right hand rule.)
(2) What force does that magnetic field exert on the top wire? (Use a right hand rule.)

 

[thomate1]

The right hand rule states that when two currents are flowing in parallel wires in the same direction, they will repel each other. This is because the magnetic fields produced by the currents will interact and create a force between the wires that pushes them away from each other. This is also known as the "Lorentz force".

In this case, the currents in the two wires are flowing in the same direction, as shown by the arrows in the diagram. Therefore, according to the right hand rule, they will repel each other. On the other hand, if the currents were flowing in opposite directions, they would attract each other instead.

The reason for this is that when the currents are flowing in the same direction, the magnetic fields produced by each current are in the same direction. This creates a force that pushes the wires away from each other. However, when the currents are flowing in opposite directions, the magnetic fields produced are in opposite directions, which creates a force that pulls the wires towards each other.

So in summary, the two wires repel each other because the currents are flowing in the same direction, which creates magnetic fields that interact and produce a repulsive force between the wires.