A loop of current sits in a magnetic field which points to the right. Current runs through the square loop as shown.
mag field B ------> _______________________________ | <------ current | | ________________________ | | | | | | | | ^ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | v | | | | | | | | | |_______________________| | | ---------> | |_______________________________|
Question 1: What is the direction of the magnetic force on the top section of the loop?
Answer: zero, because the current runs anti-parallel to the magnetic field
Question 2: What is the direction of the magnetic force on the left section of the loop?
Answer: out of the screen
Question 3: What is the direction of the magnetic force on the bottom section of the loop?
Answer: zero, because the current runs parallel to the magnetic field
Question 4: What is the direction of the magnetic force on the right section of the loop?
Answer: into the screen
Question 5: What is the total force on the loop?
Answer: zero -- so it doesn't translate
Question 6: What happens if the loop is released?
Answer: it rotates, because it feels a net torque due to the equal but opposite forces pushing on its opposite two legs
Copyright © Michael Richmond.
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