Andres La Rosa Lecture Notes

Portland State University PH-212

Magnetic force on a wire that carries a

current

First, let's establish the relationship between

CURENT I and the DRIFT VELOCITY vD

P'
 e = 1.6 x 10-19C
n: # of free electrons per m3

Magnetic force on a wire carrying a current

Let's place a wire in a region where there exist a magnetic field

What will happen?

Uniform magnetic
field pointing out of
the page
B
B

Magnetic
field (vector)

B
Torque produced by an external magnetic field
on a loop that carries a current

magnetic dipole moment

Loop of cross section

area A

magnetic dipole moment

= N I A

Number of turns in the loop

Examples

=- µ

X
 3D View Side View

On the segment PQ:

F

F
 F1 =I a B

F2
F2 =I a B Side View

Side View
 Mechanical motion of a coil that is immersed in a region
where there exists an external magnetic field

Bext Bext Bext

Side View

Q
Q
Q
M M
M
P P
P

N N
N
3D View
Example

µ = NiA
= 20 (0.1 Amp) (10-1m ) ( 5x10-2m )
Y

= - 10-2 A-m2
X

B = 0.5 T
Z

=
The Electric Motor