A wire segment 1.2 m long carries a current I = 3.5 A and is oriented as shown in the figure.A uniform magnetic field of magnitude 0.50 T pointing toward the -x direction is present as shown.The +z-axis points directly into the page.What is the magnetic force vector on the wire segment?
A) +1.6 N
B) -1.6 N
C) +1.6 N
D) (+1.3 - 1.6 ) N
E) (-1.3 + 1.6 N

Question

A wire segment 1.2 m long carries a current I = 3.5 A and is oriented as shown in the figure.A uniform magnetic field of magnitude 0.50 T pointing toward the -x direction is present as shown.The +z-axis points directly into the page.What is the magnetic force vector on the wire segment? 
A) +1.6 N 
B) -1.6 N 
C) +1.6 N 
D) (+1.3 - 1.6 ) N 
E) (-1.3 + 1.6 N

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The magnetic force on a wire segment is given by:

F = IlBsinθ

where I is the current, L is the length of the wire segment, B is the magnetic field, and θ is the angle between the direction of the current and the magnetic field.

In this case, the wire segment is oriented at an angle of 90 degrees to the magnetic field (sin 90 = 1). Therefore, the magnetic force is:

F = (3.5 A)(1.2 m)(0.50 T) = 2.1 N

Since the magnetic field points in the -x direction, the force vector points in the +y direction (using the right-hand rule). Therefore, the correct answer is C: +1.6 N. The other answer choices are either incorrect or involve calculations that are not necessary.

A Wire Segment 1