Finding the Force on a Current-Carrying Wire

[themountain]

Homework Statement

How do I find force with direction on a Wire that is parallel to 2 other wires?

I am trying to solve a problem that states: Three wires are placed horizontally in the plane of the paper. Wire L, carrying a current of 12.8 A to the right is 15 cm long. Wire M, also 15 cm long, is placed 8 cm below L (further down on the paper) and carries 6.9A to the left. Wire N, again 15 cm long, is 12 cm below Wire M and carries a 9 A current to the left. What is the force (with direction) on Wire L?

Relevant Equations

F=ILBsin

I realize that I need to use F=ILBsin on the problem but don't understand if I should compile the information of all of wires into one equation or if I should do the formula 3 separate times and then use some other method to get the answer.

 

[BvU]

Hi,

You want to find the ##\vec B## at wire L. There are two contributions. You can add the ##\vec B## and calculate ##\vec F## with your equation, or you can calculate two ##\vec F## and add those.