Two identical long conducting wires AOB and COD are placed at right angle to each other, with one above other such that O is their common point for the two. The wires carry I1 and I2 currents, respectively. Point P is lying at distance d from O along a direction perpendicular to the plane containing the wires. The magnetic field at the point P will be:
A
2πdμ0(I2I1)
B
2πdμ0(I1+I2)
C
2πdμ0(I12−I22)
D
2πdμ0(I12+I22)1/2
Step-by-Step Solution
According to the sources, the magnetic field B produced by a long straight wire carrying current I at a distance d is given by B=2πdμ0I .
Field from Wire 1 (B1): For the wire carrying current I1, the magnetic field at point P (at a perpendicular distance d) is B1=2πdμ0I1. Using the right-hand rule, this field vector lies in the plane of the wires, perpendicular to the first wire.
Field from Wire 2 (B2): Similarly, for the wire carrying current I2, the magnetic field at point P is B2=2πdμ0I2. This field vector also lies in the plane of the wires but is perpendicular to the second wire.
Resultant Field (B): Since the two wires are at right angles, the magnetic field vectors B1 and B2 they produce at point P are also perpendicular to each other. The magnitude of the net magnetic field is calculated using the Pythagorean theorem: B=B12+B22.
Substituting the values: B=(2πdμ0I1)2+(2πdμ0I2)2=2πdμ0I12+I22, which can be written as 2πdμ0(I12+I22)1/2.
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