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A wire carrying current II has the shape as shown in the adjoining figure. Linear parts of the wire are very long and parallel to the X-axis while the semicircular portion of radius RR is lying in the Y-Z plane. The magnetic field at point OO is:

A

μ0I4πR(πi^+2k^)\frac{\mu_0 I}{4\pi R}(\pi \hat{i} + 2\hat{k})

B

μ0I4πR(πi^2k^)-\frac{\mu_0 I}{4\pi R}(\pi \hat{i} - 2\hat{k})

C

μ0I4πR(πi^+2k^)-\frac{\mu_0 I}{4\pi R}(\pi \hat{i} + 2\hat{k})

D

μ0I4πR(πi^2k^)\frac{\mu_0 I}{4\pi R}(\pi \hat{i} - 2\hat{k})

Step-by-Step Solution

To find the total magnetic field at point OO, we consider the three segments of the wire independently and use the principle of superposition:

  1. Semi-infinite straight wires: There are two very long (semi-infinite) linear segments parallel to the X-axis. According to the sources, the magnetic field due to a semi-infinite wire at a distance RR from its end is B=μ0I4πRB = \frac{\mu_0 I}{4\pi R} . Applying the right-hand thumb rule for the given geometry, both segments produce a field at OO in the negative Z-direction (k^-\hat{k}). Total field from linear parts = 2×(μ0I4πR)(k^)=2μ0I4πRk^2 \times \left(\frac{\mu_0 I}{4\pi R}\right)(-\hat{k}) = -\frac{2\mu_0 I}{4\pi R}\hat{k}.

  2. Semicircular arc: For a circular arc of radius RR subtending an angle θ\theta at the center, the field is B=μ0Iθ4πRB = \frac{\mu_0 I \theta}{4\pi R} . For a semicircle, θ=π\theta = \pi, so B=μ0Iπ4πRB = \frac{\mu_0 I \pi}{4\pi R}. Since the arc lies in the Y-Z plane, its axial field at the center OO will be along the X-axis. Given the current direction, the field points in the negative X-direction (i^-\hat{i}). Field from arc = πμ0I4πRi^-\frac{\pi\mu_0 I}{4\pi R}\hat{i}.

  3. Total Field: Summing the vectors: B=πμ0I4πRi^2μ0I4πRk^=μ0I4πR(πi^+2k^)\vec{B} = -\frac{\pi\mu_0 I}{4\pi R}\hat{i} - \frac{2\mu_0 I}{4\pi R}\hat{k} = -\frac{\mu_0 I}{4\pi R}(\pi\hat{i} + 2\hat{k}). This matches Option 3.

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