Force on a current carrying conductor placed in uniform

magnetic field.
Let us consider a conductor of length 𝑙 and area of cross section 𝐴 placed at an
angle θ to the direction of a uniform magnetic field → as shown in figure.
𝐵

Let 𝑛 be the number of free electrons per unit volume (electron density) in the
conductor, then total number of free electrons in the conductor
𝑁 = 𝑛 × volume of conductor
𝑁 = 𝑛𝐴𝑙 ……………………………………..(1)
Since these free electrons drift along the conductor when current passes through
it. Let → be the drift velocity of free electron, then force on each electron
𝑉𝑑

→ = 𝑒 (→ × →) , where e is charge on electron

𝐹 𝑣𝑑 𝐵

In magnitude
𝑓 = 𝑒 𝑣𝑑 𝐵 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃 ……………………(2)
Therefore, total force experienced by all drifted electrons is given by
𝐹 = total no of free electron × force on each electron
= 𝑁 × 𝑓
 = 𝑛𝐴𝑙 𝑒𝑣𝑑 𝐵 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃
= 𝑣𝑑 𝑒𝑛𝐴𝑙𝐵 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝜃

‫𝜃𝑛𝑖𝑆 𝐵𝑙𝐼 = 𝐹 ؞‬ (as, 𝐼 = 𝑣𝑒𝑛𝐴)

In vector form → = 𝐼 ( → × → )
𝐹 𝑙 𝐵

In magnitude, 𝑭 = 𝑩𝑰𝒍 𝑺𝒊𝒏𝜽 is required expression for force experienced by a

current carrying conductor in magnetic field.

Direction of force:
The direction of force is always perpendicular to the plane containing →and →. It
𝑙 𝐵
can be found by using Fleming’s left-hand rule.

Special cases:
1. If θ = 00 or 1800, sinθ = 0. So, 𝐹 = 0. Thus, a current carrying conductor
placed parallel or antiparallel to the direction of the magnetic field does not
experience any force.
2. If θ = 900, sinθ = 1 (maximum value). So, 𝐹 = 𝐵𝐼𝑙 which is maximum force
experienced.

Task

1. Why does a current carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field

experienced a force?
2. The free electrons in a conductor are always in the state of random motion
even though no force acts on the conductor on keeping it in a magnetic field
until current is passed on it. Why?
3. An electron and a proton are moving along the same direction with the same
Kinetic energy. When they passed through a uniform magnetic field
perpendicular to the direction of their motion, they describe the same
radius. Is this statement true or false?
4. A straight horizontal rod of length 20 𝑐𝑚 and mass 30 𝑔𝑚 is placed in a
uniform horizontal magnetic field perpendicular to the rod. If a current of 2𝐴
 through the rod makes itself supporting in the magnetic field. Calculate the
magnetic field.
5. A horizontal straight wire 5 𝑐𝑚 long weighing 1.2 𝑔𝑚−1 is placed
perpendicular to a uniform horizontal magnetic field of flux density of 0.6 T.
if the resistance per unit length of the wire is 3.8Ω𝑚−1 , calculate the p.d.
that has to be applied between the ends of the wire to make it just self-
supporting.
6. A vertical straight conductor 𝑋 of length of 0.5m is situated in a uniform
horizontal magnetic field of 0.1T. (I)calculate the force on 𝑋 when a current
of 4A is passed into it. (ii) through what angle must 𝑋 be turned in a vertical
plane so that force on 𝑋 is halved.

BIA