- #1
bkiag
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I understand that using F = qv x B and the fact that positive currents generate counter clockwise magnetic fields, it can be concluded that two parallel wires carrying currents in the same direction attract.
But what about when you think about it in the frame of reference of the charges in the wire? If you imagine that the charges are still and the wires are moving, then there are two lines of charge with equal polarity. Shouldn't they repel? As for currents moving in opposite directions, you could imagine a negative current (electrons, perhaps) moving the same direction as a positive current (hydrogen ions, perhaps). In the frame of reference of the charges, they would attract. However, according to EM theory, they repel. What am I missing here?
But what about when you think about it in the frame of reference of the charges in the wire? If you imagine that the charges are still and the wires are moving, then there are two lines of charge with equal polarity. Shouldn't they repel? As for currents moving in opposite directions, you could imagine a negative current (electrons, perhaps) moving the same direction as a positive current (hydrogen ions, perhaps). In the frame of reference of the charges, they would attract. However, according to EM theory, they repel. What am I missing here?