Two parallel wires carry currents in the same direction. What is the nature of t
Practice Questions
Q1
Two parallel wires carry currents in the same direction. What is the nature of the force between them?
Attractive
Repulsive
No force
Depends on the current
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Two parallel wires carry currents in the same direction. What is the nature of the force between them?
Correct Answer: Attractive force
Step 1: Understand that when electric current flows through a wire, it creates a magnetic field around the wire.
Step 2: Recognize that if you have two parallel wires, each carrying current, they will each create their own magnetic field.
Step 3: Note that the direction of the magnetic field created by each wire depends on the direction of the current flowing through it.
Step 4: Since both wires are carrying current in the same direction, the magnetic fields they create will interact with each other.
Step 5: The interaction of these magnetic fields causes the wires to exert a force on each other.
Step 6: Specifically, when the currents are in the same direction, the force between the two wires is attractive, meaning they pull towards each other.
