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Magnetic Field at Origin Due to Current Carrying Wire Segments in XY Plane

Select the option that correctly gives the net magnetic field B⃗\vec{B} at point O caused by current passing through the specified wire segments situated in the xyxy plane.

Question Diagram 1

Options

A

B⃗=−μ0IL(32+142π)k^\vec{B} = \frac{-\mu_0 I}{L}\left(\frac{3}{2} + \frac{1}{4\sqrt{2}\pi}\right)\hat{k}

B

B⃗=−μ0IL(32+122π)k^\vec{B} = -\frac{\mu_0 I}{L}\left(\frac{3}{2} + \frac{1}{2\sqrt{2}\pi}\right)\hat{k}

C

B⃗=−μ0IL(1+142π)k^\vec{B} = \frac{-\mu_0 I}{L}\left(1 + \frac{1}{4\sqrt{2}\pi}\right)\hat{k}

Correct
D

B⃗=−μ0IL(1+14π)k^\vec{B} = \frac{-\mu_0 I}{L}\left(1 + \frac{1}{4\pi}\right)\hat{k}

Step-by-Step Solution

To find the net magnetic field B⃗\vec{B} at the origin OO due to the current-carrying wire configuration in the xyxy-plane, we evaluate the contribution of each individual wire segment using the Biot-Savart law.


1. Straight Wire Segments Passing Through or Directed Towards Origin OO

For any straight wire segment lying along a line that passes directly through the origin OO, the current element vector dl⃗\mathrm{d}\vec{l} is parallel or antiparallel to the position vector r⃗\vec{r} relative to OO. Therefore: dl⃗×r⃗=0  ⟹  B⃗radial=0\mathrm{d}\vec{l} \times \vec{r} = 0 \implies \vec{B}_{\text{radial}} = 0


2. Upper Semi-Circular Arc

  • Radius: R1=L2R_1 = \frac{L}{2}
  • Angle subtended at origin: θ1=π rad\theta_1 = \pi\text{ rad} (semi-circle)
  • Direction of current: Clockwise in the upper half-plane (y>0y > 0).

By the right-hand rule, a clockwise current produces a magnetic field directed into the page (−k^-\hat{k}).

The magnitude of the magnetic field due to this semi-circular arc is: Barc1=μ0I4πR1θ1=μ0I4π(L2)(π)=μ0I2LB_{\text{arc1}} = \frac{\mu_0 I}{4\pi R_1} \theta_1 = \frac{\mu_0 I}{4\pi \left(\frac{L}{2}\right)} (\pi) = \frac{\mu_0 I}{2L}

Thus, the magnetic field vector is: B⃗arc1=−μ0I2Lk^\vec{B}_{\text{arc1}} = -\frac{\mu_0 I}{2L} \hat{k}


3. Lower Quarter-Circular Arc

  • Radius: R2=L4R_2 = \frac{L}{4}
  • Angle subtended at origin: θ2=π2 rad\theta_2 = \frac{\pi}{2}\text{ rad} (quarter-circle)
  • Direction of current: Clockwise in the fourth quadrant.

Using the right-hand rule, the magnetic field is also directed into the page (−k^-\hat{k}).

The magnitude of the magnetic field due to this quarter-circular arc is: Barc2=μ0I4πR2θ2=μ0I4π(L4)(π2)=μ0I2LB_{\text{arc2}} = \frac{\mu_0 I}{4\pi R_2} \theta_2 = \frac{\mu_0 I}{4\pi \left(\frac{L}{4}\right)} \left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right) = \frac{\mu_0 I}{2L}

Thus, the magnetic field vector is: B⃗arc2=−μ0I2Lk^\vec{B}_{\text{arc2}} = -\frac{\mu_0 I}{2L} \hat{k}


4. Vertical Straight Wire Segment

For the finite straight vertical wire segment, the magnetic field magnitude at a perpendicular distance dd subtending angles θ1\theta_1 and θ2\theta_2 at the ends is given by: Bstraight=μ0I4πd(sin⁡θ1+sin⁡θ2)B_{\text{straight}} = \frac{\mu_0 I}{4\pi d} (\sin\theta_1 + \sin\theta_2)

With perpendicular distance d=Ld = L, θ1=0∘\theta_1 = 0^\circ, and θ2=45∘\theta_2 = 45^\circ (sin⁡45∘=12\sin 45^\circ = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}): Bstraight=μ0I4πL(0+12)=μ0I42πLB_{\text{straight}} = \frac{\mu_0 I}{4\pi L} \left(0 + \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\right) = \frac{\mu_0 I}{4\sqrt{2}\pi L}

By the right-hand rule, the magnetic field due to this straight segment is directed along −k^-\hat{k}: B⃗straight=−μ0I42πLk^\vec{B}_{\text{straight}} = -\frac{\mu_0 I}{4\sqrt{2}\pi L} \hat{k}


5. Net Magnetic Field at Origin OO

Summing the individual contributions from all segments: B⃗net=B⃗arc1+B⃗arc2+B⃗straight\vec{B}_{\text{net}} = \vec{B}_{\text{arc1}} + \vec{B}_{\text{arc2}} + \vec{B}_{\text{straight}}

B⃗net=−(μ0I2L+μ0I2L+μ0I42πL)k^\vec{B}_{\text{net}} = -\left( \frac{\mu_0 I}{2L} + \frac{\mu_0 I}{2L} + \frac{\mu_0 I}{4\sqrt{2}\pi L} \right) \hat{k}

B⃗net=−μ0IL(1+142π)k^\vec{B}_{\text{net}} = -\frac{\mu_0 I}{L} \left( 1 + \frac{1}{4\sqrt{2}\pi} \right) \hat{k}


Conclusion

The correct option is C.

Magnetic Field at Origin Due to Current Carrying Wire Segments in XY Plane | Physics PYQ Solution - JEE Challenger