Example 1 0. The plane of a circular coil is horizontal. It has 10 turns each of radius 8 cm.

A
current of 2 A flows through it. The current appears to flow clockwise from a point above the
coil. Find the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field at the centre of the coil due to the
current.
Solution. Here N =10, r =8 cm =0.08 m, I =2 A
𝜇0 𝑁𝐼 4𝜋×10−7 ×10×2
∴𝐵 = = = 1.57 × 10−4 T
2𝑟 2×0.08

As the current flows clockwise when seen from above the coil, the magnetic field at the
centre of the coil points vertically downwards.
Example 11 .In the Bohr model of hydrogen atom, an electron revolves around the nucleus in
a circular orbit of radius 5.11 × 10-11 m at a frequency of 6.8 × 1015 Hz. What is the magnetic
field set up at the centre of the orbit?
Solution. If n is the frequency of revolution of the electron, then
𝐼 = 𝑛𝑒 = 6.8 × 1015 × 1.6 × 10−19 = 6.8 × 1.6 × 10−4 A
𝜇0 𝐼 4𝜋 × 10−7 × 6.8 × 1.6 × 10−4
𝐵= = = 13.4T
2𝑟 2 × 5.11 × 10−11
Example 12. The radius of the first orbit of hydrogen atom is 0.5 A. The electron moves in an
orbit with a uniform speed of 2.2 × 106 ms-1. Calculate (i) the equivalent current (ii) the
equivalent dipole moment and (iii) the magnetic field produced at the centre of the nucleus
due to the motion of this electron? Use 𝜇0 /4𝜋 = 10−7 𝑁𝐴−2 and electronic charge = 1.6 × 10−19
C. [ISCE981
Solution, (i) Here r = 0.5 A =0.5 × 10-10 m,
v = 2.2 × 106 ms-1
Period of revolution of electron,
2𝜋𝑟 2 × 22 × 0.5 × 10−10 1
𝑇= = = × 10−15 s
𝑣 7 × 2.2 × 106 7
Equivalent current,
𝑒 1.6 × 10−19 × 7
Charge
𝐼= = = = 1.12 × 10−3 A
Time 𝑇 10−15
(ii) Equivalent dipole moment, 𝑚 = 𝐼𝐴 = 𝐼 × 𝜋𝑟 2
= 1.12 × 10−3 × 3.14 × (0.5 × 10−10 )2 Am2
= 8.8× 10-24 Am2.
(iii) Magnetic field produced at the centre of the nucleus,
𝜇0 𝐼 4𝜋 × 10−7 × 1.12 × 10−3
𝐵= = = 14.07T
2𝑟 2 × 0.5 × 10−10
Example 1 3. A circular coil, having 100 turns of wire, of radius (nearly) 20 cm each, lies in the
XY plane with its centre at the origin of co-ordinates. Find the magnetic field, at the point (0,
2
0, 20 √3 cm), when this coil carries a current of ( ) 𝐴 [CBSED16C]
𝜋

Solution. Here N = 100, a = 20 cm = 0.2 m

2
𝑧 = 20√3cm = 0.2√3m, 𝐼 = 𝐴
𝜋
The coil lies in XY-plane and the field point (0, 0, 20√3) lies on 2-axis.
 Magnetic field at the axial field point,
2
𝜇0 𝑁𝐼𝑎2 4𝜋 × 10−7 × 100 × ( ) × (0.2)2
𝐵= = 𝜋 T
2(𝑎2 + 𝑧 2 )3⁄2 2 3⁄2
2 [(0.2)2 + (0.2√3) ]

4 × 10−5 × 0.04 0.16 × 10−5

= T = T
2(0.2)3 (1 + 3)3⁄2 2 × 0.008 × 8
1
× 10−4 T = 25 × 10−6 T = 25𝜇T
=
8
Example 14. The magnetic field due to a current-carrying circular loop of radius 12 cm at its
centre is 0.50 × 10-4 T. Find the magnetic field due to this loop at a point on the axis at a
distance of 5.0 cm from the centre.
𝜇0 𝐼 𝜇0 𝐼𝑎 2
Solution. 𝐵 centre = and 𝐵axial =
2𝑎 2(𝑎 2 +𝑟 2 )3⁄2

𝐵 axial 𝑎3
= 2
𝐵 centre (𝑎 + 𝑟 2 )3⁄2
𝑎3
∴𝐵 axial = × 𝐵 centre
(𝑎 2 +𝑟 2 )3⁄2

Here a =12 cm = 12 × 10 2m, r = 5 cm = 5 × 10 2 m,

𝐵 centre = 0.50 × 10−4 T
∴ (12×10−2 )3
𝐵axial = × 0.50 × 10−4 T
[144×10−4 +25×10−4 ]3⁄2

(12)3 × 0.50 × 10−4

= = 3.9 × 10−5 T
169 × 13
Example 15. Two identical circular coils of radius 0.1 m, each having 20 turns are mounted
co-axially 0.1 m apart. A current of 0.5 A is passed through both of them (i) in the same
direction, (ii) in the opposite directions. Find the magnetic field at the centre of each coil.
Solution. Here a =0.1 m, N =20, r = 0.1 m, I =0.5 A
Magnetic field at the centre of each coil due to its own current is
𝜇0 𝑁𝐼 4𝜋 × 10−7 × 20 × 0.5
𝐵1 =
= = 6.28 × 10−5 T
2𝑎 2 × 0.1
Magnetic field at the centre of one coil due to the current in the other coil is
𝜇0 𝑁𝐼𝑎2
𝐵2 =
2(𝑎2 + 𝑟 2 )3⁄2
4𝜋 × 10−7 × 20 × 0.5 × (0.1)2 0.628 × 10−7
= =
2[(0.1)2 + (0.1)2 ]3⁄2 [2 × (0.1)2 ]3⁄2
0.628 × 10−7
= 2.22 × 10−5 T
=
2√2 × 10−3
(i) When the currents are in the same direction, the resultant field at the centre of each coil
is
𝐵 = 𝐵1 + 𝐵2 = 6.28 × 10−5 + 2.22 × 10−5 = 8.50 × 10-5 T.
(ii) When the currents are in opposite directions, the resultant field is
𝐵 = 𝐵1 − 𝐵2 = 6.28 × 10−5 − 2.22 × 10−5 = 4.06 × 10-5 T.
Example 16. Two coaxial circular loops 𝐿1 and 𝐿2 of radii 3 cm and 4 cm are placed as
shown. What should be the magnitude and direction of the current in the loop so that the net
magnetic field at the point O be zero?
[CBSE SP 08]

Solution. For the net magnetic field at the point O to be zero, the direction of current in
loop L2 should be opposite to that in loop 𝐿1
Magnitude of magnetic field due to current 𝐼1 in 𝐿1 = Magnitude of magnetic field due to
current 𝐼2 in 𝐼2
𝜇0 𝐼1 (0.03)2 𝜇0 𝐼2 (0.04)2
or =
2[(0.03)2 + (0.04)2 ]3⁄2 2[(0.04)2 + (0.03)2⁄2
(0.03)2 9
or 𝐼2 = 2
𝐼1 = × 1A = 0.56A
(0.04) 16
Example 1 7. A long wire having a semi-circular loop of radius r carries a current I, as shown
in Fig. 4.28. Find the magnetic field due to entire wire at the point O.

Fig. 4.28
⃗⃗⃗ of linear portions like PQ or ST
Solution. Magnetic field due to linear portion. Any element 𝑑𝑙
will make angles 0 or π with the position vector r. Therefore, field at O due to linear portion is
𝜇0 𝐼𝑑𝑙sin𝜃
𝐵= ⋅ =0
4𝜋 𝑟2
Magnetic field due to semi-circular portion. Any element 𝑑𝑙 ⃗⃗⃗ on this portion will be
perpendicular to the position vector 𝑟 , therefore, field due to one such element at point will be
𝜇0 𝐼𝑑𝑙sin𝜋/2 𝜇0 𝐼𝑑𝑙
𝑑𝐵 = ⋅ =
4𝜋 𝑟2 4𝜋 𝑟 2
Magnetic field due to the entire circular portion is given by
𝜇0 𝐼 𝜇0 𝐼 𝜇0 𝐼
𝐵 = ∫ 𝑑𝐵 = ∫ 𝑑𝑙 = ⋅ 𝜋𝑟 =
4𝜋𝑟 2 4𝜋𝑟 2 4𝑟
𝜇0 𝐼
∴ Total magnetic field at point 𝑂 =
4𝑟

Example 1 8. A straight wire carrying a current of 12 A is bent into a semicircular arc of radius
2.0 cm as shown in
Fig. 4.29(a). What is the direction and magnitude ofB at the
 Fig. 4.29
centre of the arc ? Would your answer change if the wire were bent into a semicircular arc of
the same radius but in the opposite way as shown in Fig. 4.29(b)? [NCERT; Pb 91]
𝜇0 𝐼
Solution, (i) Magnetic field at the centre of the arc is 𝐵 =
4𝑟

Here, I= 12 A r =2.0 cm =0.02 m, μ0 =4π× 10 TmA -7 -1

𝜇0 = 4𝜋 × 10−7 TmA−1
4𝜋 × 10−7 × 12
𝐵= = 1.9 × 10−4 T
4 × 0.02
According to right hand rule, the direction of the field is normally into the plane of paper.
(ii) The magnetic field will be of same magnitude, 𝐵 = 1.9 × 10−4 T
The direction of the field is normally out of the plane of paper.
Example 19. A long wire is bent as shown in Fig. 4.30. What will be the magnitude and
direction of the field at the centre O of the circular portion, if a current I is passed through the
wire? Assume that the various portions of the wire do not touch at point P.

Solution. The system consists of a straight conductor and a circular loop. Field due to
straight conductor at point O is
𝜇0 𝐼
𝐵1 = , up the plane of paper
2𝜋𝑟

Field due to circular loop at point O is

𝜇0 𝐼
𝐵2 = up the plane of paper
2𝑟

∴ Total field at O is
𝜇0 𝐼 1
𝐵 = 𝐵1 + 𝐵2 = (1 + ), up the plane of paper.
2𝑟 𝜋

Example 20. Figure 4.31 shows a current loop having two circular segments and joined by two
radial lines. Find the magnetic field at the centre O.
 Fig. 4.31
Solution. Since the point O lies on lines SP and QR, so the magnetic field at O due to
these straight portions is zero.
The magnetic field at O due to the circular segment PQ is
𝜇0 𝐼
𝐵1 = 𝑙
4𝜋 𝑎2
Here, l = length of arc PQ = a
𝜇0 𝐼𝛼
𝐵1 = directed normally upward
4𝜋 𝑎

Similarly, the magnetic field at O due to the circular segment SR is

𝜇0 𝐼𝛼
𝐵2 = ⋅ , directed normally downward.
4𝜋 𝑏
The resultant field at O is
𝜇0 𝐼𝛼 1 1
𝐵 = 𝐵1 − 𝐵2 =
[ − ]
4𝜋 𝑎 𝑏
𝜇0 𝐼𝛼(𝑏 − 𝑎)
𝐵=
4𝜋𝑎𝑏
Example 21. The wire shown in Fig. 4.32 carries a current of 10 A. Determine the magnitude
of the magnetic field at the centre O. Given radius of the bent coil is 3 cm.
[Punjab 01 ; AIIMS 13]

Fig. 4.32
Arc
Solution. As 𝜃(rad) =
Radius
3𝜋 𝑙 3𝜋𝑟
∴ = or 𝑙 =
2 𝑟 2

According to Biot-Savart law, magnetic field at the centre O is

𝜇0 𝐼𝑙 𝜇0 𝐼 3𝜋𝑟 𝜇0 3 𝜋𝐼
𝐵= = ⋅ ⋅ = ⋅ ⋅
4𝜋 𝑟 2 4𝜋 𝑟 2 2 4𝜋 2 𝑟
4𝜋 × 10−7 3 22 10
= ⋅ ×
4𝜋 2 7 3 × 10−2
= 1.57 × 10−3 T
Example 22. In Fig. 4.33, abed is a circular coil of non-insulated thin uniform conductor.
Conductors pa and qc are very long straight parallel conductors tangential to the coil at the
points a and c. If a current of 5 A enters the coil from p to a, find the magnetic induction at O,
the centre of the coil. The diameter of the coil is 10 cm.

Fig. 4.33
Solution. Here Iabc = Iadc =2.5 A,
𝑟 = 𝑂𝑎 = 𝑂𝑏 = 𝑂𝑐 = 𝑂𝑑 = 5cm = 5 × 10−2 m
The magnetic induction at O due to the current in part abc of the coil is equal and opposite
to the magnetic induction due to the current in part adc. So magnetic induction at O due to the
coil is zero.
Magnetic induction at O due to the straight conductor pa (a half infinite segment) is
𝜇0 𝐼
𝐵2 = = 10−5 T
4𝜋𝑟
normally out of the plane of paper.
Similarly, magnetic induction at O due to straight conductor qc is
𝐵 = 𝐵1 + 𝑅2 = 10−5 + 10−5 = 2 × 10−5 T
normally out of the plane of paper.
Total magnetic induction at O is
𝐵 = 𝐵1 + 𝐵2 = 10−5 + 10−5 = 2 × 10−5 T
normally out of the plane of paper.
Example 23. The current-loop PQRSTP formed by two circular segments of radii R1 and R2
carries a current of I ampere. Find the magnetic field at the common centre O. What will be
the field if angle a =90°?
Solution. The magnetic field at O due to each of the straight parts PQ and RS is zero
because θ = 0°, for each of them.

Fig. 4.34
Magnetic field at the centre O due to circular segment QR of radius R2 is
𝜇0 𝐼
𝐵1 = ⋅ 𝑙
4𝜋 𝑅22 2
Here,
l2 = length of circular segment 𝑄𝑅 = 𝛼𝑅2
𝜇0 𝐼𝛼
𝐵1 = ⋅ directed normally downward
4𝜋 𝑅2

Similarly, the magnetic field at O due to the circular segment STP is

𝜇0 𝐼(2𝜋−𝛼)
𝐵2 = , directed normally downward
4𝜋 𝑅1

Hence the resultant field at O is

𝜇0 𝐼 𝛼 2𝜋 − 𝛼
𝐵 = 𝐵1 + 𝐵2 = ( + )
4𝜋 𝑅2 𝑅1
directed normally downward If α =90° = π/2, then
𝜇0 𝐼 𝜋 3𝜋 𝜇0 𝐼 1 3
𝐵= ( + )= [ + ]
4𝜋 2𝑅2 2𝑅1 8 𝑅2 𝑅1
Example 24. A current I = 5.0 A flows along a thin wire shaped as shown in Fig. 4.35. The
radius of the curved part of the wire is equal to R =120 mm, the angle 2 ϕ = 90°. Find the
magnetic induction of the field at the point O.

Fig. 4.35,
Solution. Magnetic induction at O due to the line segment AB is
𝜇0 𝐼
𝐵1 = × [sin𝜙 + sin𝜙]
4𝜋 𝑅cos𝜙
𝜇0 2𝐼
= ⋅ tan𝜙 / acting normally downwards
4𝜋 𝑅
Magnetic field at O due to the current through arc segment is
𝜇0 𝐼
𝐵2 = × (2𝜋 − 2𝜙)/ acting normally downwards
4𝜋 𝑅

Total magnetic induction at O,

𝜇0 𝐼
𝐵 = 𝐵1 + 𝐵2 =
⋅ [𝜋 − 𝜙 + tan𝜙]
2𝜋 𝑅
4𝜋 × 10−7 × 5 𝜋 𝜋
= [𝜋 − + tan ]
2𝜋 × 0.120 4 4
−7
2 × 10 × 5 × 3.356
= = 2.8 × 10−5 T
0.120
Example 25. Two wires A and B have the same length equal to 44 cm and carry a current of
10 A each. Wire A is bent into a circle and wire B into a square, (a) Which wire produces a
greater magnetic field at the centre? (b) Obtain the magnitudes of the fields at the centres of
the two wires.
Solution. Given I =10 A,
Length of each wire = 44 cm = 4L (say)
(a) Suppose the wire is bent into a circle of radius R. Then its perimeter 2πR=4L
 ∴ Magnetic field at the centre of the circular wire is
𝜇0 𝐼 𝜇0 𝐼𝜋 𝜇0 𝐼𝜋
𝐵=
= =
2𝑅 2𝜋𝑅 4𝐿
Now suppose the wire B is bent into a square of side L. We know that the magnetic field
due to a wire of finite length whose ends make angles α and β with the perpendicular dropped
on wire from the given point at distance r from it is given by
𝜇0 𝐼
𝑑𝐵 = (sin𝛼 + sin𝛽)
4𝜋𝑟

Fig. 4.36
∴ Magnetic field at O due to conductor AB is

𝜇0 𝐼 2√2𝜇0 𝐼
𝑑𝐵 = (sin45° + sin45°) =
4𝜋 ⋅ 𝐿/2 4𝜋𝐿
[∵ 𝛼 = 𝛽 = 45°, 𝑟 = 𝐿/2]
By symmetry, magnetic field at O due to all the four sides of the square will be in the same
direction. Hence total field at O due to the current-carrying square is
2√2𝜇0 𝐼 8√2𝜇0 𝐼
𝐵 = 4× = ...(2)
4𝜋𝐿 4𝜋𝐿

Comparing equations (1) and (2), we find that the square wire produces a greater field at
its centre.
(b) Magnetic field at the centre of the circular wire is
𝜇0 𝐼𝜋 4𝜋 × 10−7 × 10 × 𝜋
𝐵= = T
4𝐿 44 × 10−2
= 0.9 × 10−4 T [∵ 4𝐿 = 44cm]
Magnetic field at the centre of the square wire is
8√2 × 𝜇0 𝐼 8 × 1.414 × 4𝜋 × 10−7 × 10
𝐵= = T
4𝜋𝐿 𝜋 × 44 × 10−2
≃ 1.0 × 10−4 T
Example 26. Two identical coils P and Q each of radius R are lying in perpendicular planes
such that they have a common centre. Find the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field
at the common centre of the two coils, if they carry currents equal to I and √3𝐼 respectively.
[CBSE F 16 ; OD 17]
 ⃗ 𝑝 = 𝜇0 𝐼 vertically upwards,
Solution. 𝐵
2𝑅

𝜇0 √3𝐼
⃗0 =
𝐵
2𝑅
Resultant field at the centre is
2 1⁄2
𝜇0 𝐼 2 𝜇0 √3𝐼
𝐵 = √𝐵𝑃2 + 𝐵𝑄2 = [( ) + ( ) ]
2𝑅 2𝑅
𝜇0 𝐼 𝜇0 𝐼
= (1 + 3)1⁄2 = ( )
2𝑅 𝑅
𝐵𝑃 1
tan𝜃 = = ⇒ 𝜃 = 30°
𝐵𝑄 √3