Question

Problem 89a

Answer 1

Given information

Given:

The distance between the three wires is ;

The current in each wire is ;

The direction of current flow in wire M is opposite to that in wires N and P.

To determine, the magnetic force per unit length on each wire due to the other two.

Step-by-step explanation

Step 1.

As the direction of current flow in wire M is opposite to that in wires N and P, the forces on wire M due to the other wires are repelling forces, away from the other wires.

First we use the equation for forces between two parallel wires to calculate the individual magnetic force between two wires at a time and then add the force vectors together,

As both the force acting on wire M are repelling forces, the horizontal parts will components will cancel out,

So solving for the vertical component,