Two parallel wires connected to equal alternating currents

In summary, two parallel wires with equal sinusoidal alternating currents and a phase difference of pi rad will result in a cancellation of magnetic field lines and no force of attraction between the wires. The force exerted by one wire on the other is in the same direction as the magnetic field.
  • #1
FelaKuti
19
0

Homework Statement



Two parallel wires connected to equal sinusoidal alternating currents with a phase difference of pi rad. How does the force of attraction vary with time (draw a graph)?

Q from here: https://isaacphysics.org/questions/parallel_plates?board=70437f0a-1ec0-46f4-b3d5-9b6de05311dd

Homework Equations



F = bqvsintheta
F = Bilsintheta

The Attempt at a Solution



I drew the wires with currents going in opposite directions due to the ACs being exactly out-of-phase. My thought is that with the right-hand grip rule, the magnetic field lines point in opposite directions and thus cancel out resulting in no force of attraction at any point but that's wrong.
 
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  • #2
FelaKuti said:
My thought is that with the right-hand grip rule, the magnetic field lines point in opposite directions and thus cancel out resulting in no force of attraction at any point but that's wrong.
Is the force exerted by one wire on the other in the same direction as the magnetic field?
 
  • #3
@FelaKuti : I notice that this thread has been marked solved. Has the problem really been solved to your satisfaction?
 

Related to Two parallel wires connected to equal alternating currents

1. What is the principle behind two parallel wires connected to equal alternating currents?

The principle behind this setup is the electromagnetic induction, which states that a changing magnetic field can induce an electric current in a nearby conductor.

2. How does the alternating current flow in two parallel wires?

In this setup, the alternating current flows in the opposite direction in each wire. This creates a magnetic field around the wires, which then induces an alternating current in the other wire.

3. What happens if the currents in the two wires are unequal?

If the currents in the two wires are unequal, the resulting magnetic fields will also be unequal, causing an imbalance and potentially leading to overheating and damage to the wires.

4. What factors can affect the strength of the induced current in the second wire?

The strength of the induced current in the second wire can be affected by the distance between the wires, the frequency of the alternating current, and the material and thickness of the wires.

5. Can two parallel wires with equal alternating currents be used for power transmission?

Yes, this setup can be used for power transmission, but it is not very efficient as a significant amount of energy is lost due to resistance in the wires. Alternative methods such as transformers are typically used for power transmission.

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