How do you calculate the force between two wires?

Section Summary

The force between two parallel currents I1 and I2, separated by a distance r, has a magnitude per unit length given by. Fl=μ0I1I22πr F l = μ 0 I 1 I 2 2 π r .
The force is attractive if the currents are in the same direction, repulsive if they are in opposite directions.

What is the force between two parallel current carrying wires?

Definition of Ampere One ampere is that current which, if passed in each of two parallel conductors of infinite length and one metre apart in vacuum causes each conductor to experience a force of 2 × 10 − 7 newton per metre of length of conductor.

Why do two parallel conductors exert force on each other?

Since both wires have currents flowing in the same direction, the direction of the force is toward each other. Whether the fields are identical or not, the forces that the wires exert on each other are always equal in magnitude and opposite in direction (Newton’s third law).

What is the effect of how much force is acting on the wire?

If the current-carrying wire is placed in a magnetic field (whose lines of force are at right angles to the wire) then it will experience a force at right angles to both the current direction and the magnetic field lines. The force increases if the strength of the magnetic field and/or current increases.

What is the direction of force between two parallel wires carrying current in opposite direction?

If two parallel wires carry current in opposite directions, they repel each other whereas if two parallel wires carry current in same direction, they attract each other.

Why do two wires carrying currents in opposite direction repel each other?

The direction of magnetic field on the conductor is determined by Fleming’s right hand rule. Thus, gives us that the direction of magnetic field turns out to be opposite to each other. This results in repulsion of the conductors carrying current in opposite directions relatively and vice versa.