Two long, parallel wires carry currents of different magnitudes. If the amount of current in one of the wires is doubled, what happens to the magnitude of the force that each wire exerts on the other?
A) It is increased by a factor of 8.
B) It is increased by a factor of 4.
C) It is increased by a factor of 3.
D) It is increased by a factor of 2.
E) It is increased by a factor of $\sqrt { 2 }$

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The magnitude of the force between two parallel wires is proportional to the product of their currents. When the current in one wire is doubled, the product of the currents is also doubled, so the force is doubled as well. Therefore, the magnitude of the force on each wire is increased by a factor of 2.

Two Long, Parallel Wires Carry Currents of Different Magnitudes 2\sqrt { 2 }2​

Two Long, Parallel Wires Carry Currents of Different Magnitudes $\sqrt { 2 }$