Magnetic force between two long conductive wires with currentI was asked to calculate the total magnetic force between two long conductive wires with current on them, flowing in the same direction. I used the formula F 1 = μ o I 1 I 2 l 2 π d and got a numerical answer. I then doubled that answer to account for both forces (from either wire to the other). The answer key gives the same number I found, but without doubling it. I do not understand why, because it clearly states in the book that said formula is for the force experienced by wire 1, caused by wire 2, which disregards the force experienced by wire 2, caused by wire 1.

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Magnetic force between two long conductive wires with currentI was asked to calculate the total magnetic force between two long conductive wires with current on them, flowing in the same direction. I used the formula       F    1    =            μ        o                      I        1                    I        2            l              2              π            d       and got a numerical answer. I then doubled that answer to account for both forces (from either wire to the other). The answer key gives the same number I found, but without doubling it. I do not understand why, because it clearly states in the book that said formula is for the force experienced by wire 1, caused by wire 2, which disregards the force experienced by wire 2, caused by wire 1.

afinat4s · Accepted Answer

You are correct that the force per unit length is                     μ        0                    I        1                    I        2                    2      π      r      . This is really a consequence of Newton&#039;s Third Law. The two forces that you seem to be describing are the same force, which arises from the interaction between the wires. The wires exert a force on each other, and are themselves pulled towards each other as a result. Both wires experience this equal force towards each other.The same reasoning applies when a stretched spring exerts a force   k  x on both ends and not             k      x        2  . The two forces are a reaction pair. The same goes for electrostatic and gravitational attraction.

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