Chapter 28:

Sources of Magnetic Field

 The Biot–Savart Law

𝜇0 𝐼𝑑Ԧs × rො
𝑑B =
4𝜋 𝑟 2

0 = 4  10−7 T  m/A

q
E = ke 2 rˆ
r
0 I d s  rˆ
4  r 2
B=
Magnetic Fields Due to Currents
 Example 1: Magnetic Field
Surrounding a Thin, Straight Conductor
Consider a thin, straight wire of
finite length carrying a constant
current I and placed along the x axis
as shown in the figures. Determine
the magnitude and direction of the
magnetic field at point P due to this
current.
 Example 1: Magnetic Field
Surrounding a Thin, Straight Conductor

ˆ    ˆ
d s  r = d s  r k =  dx sin  −    k
ˆ ˆ
 2 
= ( dx cos  ) kˆ
0 I dx cos  ˆ
dB = ( dB ) kˆ = k
4 r 2

r = a / cos  x = −a tan 
ad
dx = −a sec 2  d = −
cos 2 
0 I  a d   cos 2  
dB = −    cos 
4  cos    a 
2 2

I
= − 0 cos  d
4 a
 Example 1: Magnetic Field
Surrounding a Thin, Straight Conductor
0 I  a d   cos 2   0 I
dB = −    cos  = − cos  d
4  cos    a 
2 2
4 a
0 I  0 I
B=−  cos  d = ( sin 1 − sin  2 )
2

4 a  1 4 a
If the wire in the bottom figure becomes infinitely long, we
see that 1 = /2 and 2 = –/2 for length elements ranging
between positions x = – and x = +.
( sin 1 − sin  2 ) = sin  /2 − sin ( − / 2 ) = 2
𝜇0 𝐼
𝐵=
2𝜋𝑎
 Example 2: Magnetic Field
Due to a Curved Wire Segment
Calculate the magnetic field at point O for the current-
carrying wire segment shown in the figure. The wire
consists of two straight portions and a circular arc
of radius a, which subtends an angle .
dB is directed into the page at O. Furthermore, at every
point on AC, ds is perpendicular to r; hence, |ds  𝒓ො | = ds.
0 I ds
dB =
4 a 2
0 I 0 I
2 
B= ds = s
4 a 4 a 2

0 I 0 I
2 (
B= a ) = 
4 a 4 a
 Example 2: Magnetic Field
Due to a Curved Wire Segment
What if you were asked to find the magnetic field at
the center of a circular wire loop of radius R that
carries a current I? Can this question be answered at
this point in our understanding of the source of
magnetic fields?

The curved segment becomes a full

circle when  = 2

0 I 0 I
B= 2 =
4 a 2a
 Example 3: Magnetic Field
on the Axis of a Circular Current Loop
Consider a circular wire loop of radius a located in the
yz plane and carrying a steady current I as in the figure.
Calculate the magnetic field at an axial point P a
distance x from the center of the loop.
 Example 3: Magnetic Field
on the Axis of a Circular Current Loop
|ds  𝒓ො | = (ds)(1)sin 90 = ds
0 I d s  rˆ 0 I ds
dB = =
4 r 2 4 ( a 2 + x 2 )

0 I ds
dBx = cos 
4 ( a + x )
2 2

a
cos  =
(a 2
+x )
2 1/ 2
 Example 3: Magnetic Field
on the Axis of a Circular Current Loop
𝜇0 𝐼 𝑑𝑠 𝑎 𝜇0 𝐼 𝑎
𝐵𝑥 = ර = ර𝑑𝑠
4𝜋 𝑎2 + 𝑥 2 2
𝑎 +𝑥 2 1/2 4𝜋 2
𝑎 +𝑥 2 3/2

0 I a
Bx = ( 2 a )
4 ( a 2 + x 2 ) 3/2

0 Ia 2
=
2(a + x
2
)
2 3/2
 Example 3: Magnetic Field
on the Axis of a Circular Current Loop

0 I
B= ( at center of loop )
2a
 Example 3: Magnetic Field
on the Axis of a Circular Current Loop
What if we consider points on the x axis very far from
the loop? How does the magnetic field behave at these
distant points?
0 Ia 2 0 Ia 2
Bx = B ( for x  a )
2 ( a2 + x )
2 3/2 3
2x

0 
B
2 x 3
 The Magnetic Force
Between Two Parallel Conductors
F1 = I1  B 2

F1 = I1 B2
 0 I 2 
= I1  
 2  a 
0 I1 I 2
=
2 a

FB 0 I1 I 2
=
2 a
 The Magnetic Force
Between Two Parallel Conductors
FB 0 I1 I 2
=
2 a

When the magnitude of the force per unit length

between two long, parallel wires that carry identical
currents and are separated by 1 m is 2  10–7 N/m,
the current in each wire is defined to be 1 A.
 Ampère’s Law

𝜇0 𝐼
රB ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs = 𝐵 ර𝑑𝑠 = 2𝜋𝑟 = 𝜇0 𝐼
2𝜋𝑟

The line integral of B  d s around any

closed path equals 0 I , where I is the
total steady current passing through
any surface bounded by the closed path:

රB ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs = 𝜇0 𝐼
 Example 4: The Magnetic Field
Created by a Long Current-Carrying Wire
A long, straight wire of radius R
carries a steady current I that is
uniformly distributed through the
cross section of the wire. Calculate
the magnetic field a distance r
from the center of the wire in the
regions r  R and r < R.
 Example 4: The Magnetic Field
Created by a Long Current-Carrying Wire

රB ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs = 𝐵 ර𝑑𝑠 = 𝐵 2𝜋𝑟 = 𝜇0 𝐼

0 I
B= ( for r  R )
2 r
I  JA  r 2 r2
= =  I = 2 I
I JA  R 2
R
𝑟2
රB ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs = 𝐵 2𝜋𝑟 = 𝜇0 𝐼 ′ = 𝜇0 𝐼
𝑅2

 0 I 
B=  r ( for r  R )
 2 R
2

 Example 4: The Magnetic Field
Created by a Long Current-Carrying Wire

Same value of
the magnetic
0 I  field at r = R
B= ( for r  R ) 
2 r  0 I
B =
 0 I   2 R
B= 2 
r ( for r  R ) 
 2 R 
 Example 5: The Magnetic Field
Created by a Toroid
A device called a toroid is often used to create an almost
uniform magnetic field in some enclosed area. The
device consists of a conducting wire wrapped around a
ring (a torus), which is shaped like a doughnut, made of
a nonconducting material. For a toroid having N closely
spaced turns of wire,
calculate the magnetic
field in the region
occupied by the torus,
a distance r from the
center.
 Example 5: The Magnetic Field
Created by a Toroid

රB ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs = 𝐵 ර𝑑𝑠 = 𝐵 2𝜋𝑟 = 𝜇0 𝑁𝐼

0 NI
B=
2 r
The Magnetic Field of a Solenoid
The Magnetic Field of a Solenoid
The Magnetic Field of a Solenoid

රB ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs = 𝐵ℓ = 𝜇0 𝑁𝐼

𝑁
𝐵 = 𝜇0 𝐼 = 𝜇0 𝑛𝐼
ℓ
 End-of-Chapter Problems
28.14 A square wire loop 12.0 cm on each side carries a clockwise current of 15.00 A. Find the
magnitude and direction of the magnetic field at its center due to the four 1.30-mm wire segments
at the midpoint of each side. I
𝜇0 𝐼𝑑Ԧs × rො
𝑑B =
4𝜋 𝑟 2
|ds  𝒓ො | = (ds)(1)sin 90 = ds 𝒓ො
X
ds = 0.0013 m ds
r = 0.06 m
28.23 Two long, straight, parallel wires, 10.0 cm apart, carry
equal 4.00-A currents in the same direction, as shown in Fig.
E28.23. Find the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field at
(a) point P1, midway between the wires; (b) point P2, 25.0 cm to
the right of P1; (c) point P3 , 20.0 cm directly above P1.
𝜇0 𝐼
𝐵=
2𝜋𝑟
28.43 Coaxial Cable. A solid conductor with radius a is supported by insulating disks
on the axis of a conducting tube with inner radius b and outer radius c (Fig. E28.43).
The central conductor and tube carry equal currents I in opposite directions. The
currents are distributed uniformly over the cross sections of each conductor. Derive an
expression for the magnitude of the magnetic field (a) at points outside the central, solid
conductor but inside the tube )a < r < b) and (b) at points outside the tube (r > c).

රB ⋅ 𝑑Ԧs = 𝐵 ර𝑑𝑠 = 𝐵 2𝜋𝑟 = 𝜇0 𝐼encl

a) For a < r < b, Iencl = I, therefore
𝜇0 𝐼
𝐵= r
2𝜋𝑟

b) For r < c, Iencl = 0, therefore B = 0.

28.46 A 15.0-cm-long solenoid with radius 0.750 cm is closely wound with 600 turns of
wire. The current in the windings is 8.00 A. Compute the magnetic field at a point near
the center of the solenoid.
28.64 The long, straight wire AB shown in Fig. P28.64 carries a current of 14.0 A. The
rectangular loop whose long edges are parallel to the wire carries a current of 5.00 A.
Find the magnitude and direction of the net force exerted on the loop by the magnetic
field of the wire.

𝜇0 𝐼1 𝐼2
𝐹= ℓ
2𝜋𝑎