Flux Density due to a current flowing in a long

straight wire

© D Hoult 2008
The field at point p is directed
The field at point p is directed out of the plane of
the diagram (“corkscrew rule”)
The magnitude of B at
point p depends on
The magnitude of B at
point p depends on

the current, I
The magnitude of B at
point p depends on

the current, I

the perpendicular distance

of p from the wire
The magnitude of B at
point p depends on

the current, I

the perpendicular distance

of p from the wire

the medium surrounding

the wire
Experiments show that
BI

and if r is small compared with the length of the

wire then
Experiments show that
BI

and if r is small compared with the length of the

wire then

B 1
r
Therefore
Experiments show that
BI

and if r is small compared with the length of the

wire then

B 1
r
Therefore
I
B = (a constant)
r
Because this is a situation having cylindrical
symmetry, the factor 2 is included in the equation
Because this is a situation having cylindrical
symmetry, the factor 2 is included in the equation

µI
B=
2 r
Because this is a situation having cylindrical
symmetry, the factor 2 is included in the equation

µI
B=
2 r

where µ is the permeability of the medium

surrounding the wire
Because this is a situation having cylindrical
symmetry, the factor 2 is included in the equation

µI
B=
2 r

where µ is the permeability of the medium

surrounding the wire
If the medium is a vacuum (or air) the permeability
is written as µo
Because this is a situation having cylindrical
symmetry, the factor 2 is included in the equation

µI
B=
2 r

where µ is the permeability of the medium

surrounding the wire
If the medium is a vacuum (or air) the permeability
is written as µo

The units of µ are

Because this is a situation having cylindrical
symmetry, the factor 2 is included in the equation

µI
B=
2 r

where µ is the permeability of the medium

surrounding the wire
If the medium is a vacuum (or air) the permeability
is written as µo

The units of µ are T m A-1 =

Because this is a situation having cylindrical
symmetry, the factor 2 is included in the equation

µI
B=
2 r

where µ is the permeability of the medium

surrounding the wire
If the medium is a vacuum (or air) the permeability
is written as µo

The units of µ are T m A-1 = NA-2

Because this is a situation having cylindrical
symmetry, the factor 2 is included in the equation

µI
B=
2 r

where µ is the permeability of the medium

surrounding the wire
If the medium is a vacuum (or air) the permeability
is written as µo

The units of µ are T m A-1 = NA-2

1 N A-2 = 1 Henry per meter (H m-1)