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⚛️ Physics  ·  Moving Charges and Magnetism  ·  NEET & JEE

A straight wire carrying a current of 5 A is placed along the direction of a uniform magnetic field of 0.4 T. The force per unit length on the wire is:

Answer: zero.

  • A 2.0 N/m
  • B zero
  • C 0.4 N/m
  • D 1.0 N/m

Correct answer: B. zero

Explanation: The force on a current-carrying wire is F = BIL sinθ. When the wire lies along the field, θ = 0 and the force is zero.

Magnetic Field Lines Around a Straight WireIfield forms concentric circles around the wire (right-hand rule)

The magnetic field around a long straight current-carrying wire forms concentric circles, with direction given by the right-hand rule (point thumb along I, fingers curl in the direction of B).

Concept context

Magnetic force on moving charges and currents, the Biot-Savart law, Ampere's law, and the cyclotron - how electric currents create and respond to magnetic fields.

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