An incredible amount of electrical energy passes down the funnel of a large tornado every second.Measurements at a distance of 11.95 km from a large tornado showed an almost constant magnetic field of 2.69 × 10−⁸ T associated with the tornado.What was the average current going down the funnel? (µ₀ = 4π × 10−⁷ T⋅m/A)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The magnetic field (B) and the formula for magnetic field generated by a current-carrying wire (B = µ0*I/(2*pi*r)) can be used to find the current going down the funnel.

First, convert the magnetic field measurement from tesla (T) to tesla-meter/ampere (T*m/A):
4*pi*10^-7 T*m/A = 1

2.69*10^-8 T * 11.95 km * 1000 m/km = 3220 T*m

Now use the equation B = µ0*I/(2*pi*r), where r is the distance from the funnel (11.95 km = 11,950 m) and solve for I:

I = 2*pi*r*B/µ0

I = 2*pi*11950 m * 3220 T*m / (4*pi*10^-7 T*m/A)

I = 1607 A

Therefore, the average current going down the funnel is approximately 1607 A, which corresponds to choice B.

An Incredible Amount of Electrical Energy Passes Down the Funnel