A square loop, carrying a steady current I, is placed in a horizontal plane near a long straight conductor carrying a steady current I1 at a distance d from the conductor as shown in figure. The loop will experience [figure]
- a net attractive force towards the conductor
- a net repulsive force away from the conductor
- a net torque acting upward perpendicular to the horizontal plane
- a net torque acting downward normal to horizontal plane
Answer
(1) a net attractive force towards the conductor
Solution
The near side of the loop carries current I in the same direction as I1 attraction.
The far side carries current in the opposite direction repulsion, but it is farther away, so this force is smaller (F 1r).
Forces on the two perpendicular sides are equal and opposite and cancel.
All forces lie in the horizontal plane, so there is no torque about a vertical axis.
The loop experiences a net attractive force towards the conductor.
Answer: (1)