Magnetic Field Generated by Current in Straight Wire (1)

Consider a field point P that is a distance R from the axis of the wire.

µ0 Idx µ0 Idx
• dB = sin φ = cos θ
4π r2 4π r2
dx R R r2
• x = R tan θ ⇒ = = 2 2 =
dθ cos2 θ R /r R
µ0 I r2 dθ µ0 I
• dB = cos θ = cos θdθ
4π r2 R 4π R
Z θ2
µ0 I
• B= cos θdθ
4π R θ1
µ0 I
= (sin θ2 − sin θ1 )
4π R
• Length of wire: L = R(tan θ2 − tan θ1 )

µ0 I
Wire of infinite length: θ1 = −90◦ , θ2 = 90◦ ⇒ B =
2πR

26/3/2008 [tsl216 – 3/16]

Magnetic Field Generated by Current in Straight Wire (2)

Consider a current I in a straight wire of infinite length.

• The magnetic field lines are concentric circles

in planes prependicular to the wire.
• The magnitude of the magnetic field at distance R
µ0 I
from the center of the wire is B = .
2πR
• The magnetic field strength is
proportional to the current I and
inversely proportional to the distance R
from the center of the wire.
• The magnetic field vector is tangential
to the circular field lines and directed
according to the right-hand rule.

26/3/2008 [tsl217 – 4/16]

Magnetic Field Generated by Current in Straight Wire (3)

~ in the limit R → 0.
Consider the magnetic field B

µ0 I
• B= (sin θ2 − sin θ1 )
4π R
a 1 1 R2
• sin θ1 = √ = q ≃1−
a2 + R 2 1+ R2 2 a2
a2

2a 1 1 R2
• sin θ2 = √ = q ≃1−
4a2 + R2 1+ R2
4a2
2 4a2 a a
1 R2 1 R2
„ «
µ0 I
• B≃ 1− −1+
4π R 2 4a2 2 a2
µ0 I 3R R→0
B θ2
=
4π 8a2
−→ 0 a
R
θ1
I

26/3/2008 [tsl380 – 5/16]