University of Pennsylvania FBC.

The Force Between Current-Carrying Conductors

Goals of this lab

♦ Understand the magnetic field generated by a long, straight conductor
♦ Understand the behavior of a conductor carrying a constant current in a magnetic
field

Overview

The SI unit of current, the ampere, is defined as follows:

One ampere is that unvarying current, which if present in each of two parallel conductors of
infinite length and one meter apart in empty space, causes each conductor to experience a
−7
force of exactly 2 × 10 Newtons per meter of length

The current balance is an instrument which measures the force experienced by two parallel
conductors carrying the current. Since the method is based upon the definition of the ampere, this
measurement provides an absolute determination of the ampere.

Figure 1: The Current Balance

The instrument consists of two conductors mounted so that they are parallel (over some part of
their lengths) and are connected electrically in series. The lower conductor is rigidly mounted to
the instrument base while the upper one is suspended above it by means of knife edges. The
operation of this balance is the same in principle as that of a conventional analytical balance.
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Initially, the conductors are in equilibrium, separated by a small distance adjusted by moving the
counter-weight. Pieces of accurately weighed wire are placed on the upper conductor, displacing it
downward. If current passes through the system the conductors repel each other and the initial
equilibrium can be reestablished by proper adjustment of the current. The equilibrium position can
be observed using a microscope which allows measurement of the separation of the conductors.
When equilibrium is established with a given current and a known mass on the conductor, the
magnitude of the current may be determined in terms of the weight of the mass using the
fundamental force equations and basic geometry.

Prelab Question 1: What is the center-to-center distance between the two conductors shown
below as a cross-section. Both circles have a diameter of 5 cm.

7 cm

We need an expression for the force experienced by parallel current-carrying conductors. Since
each conductor lies in the magnetic field set up by the other, each will experience a force which
depends on the current flowing through both conductors. If the lower conductor, carrying current
I' is very long compared to the center to center distance d0 between the two conductors (so that
end-effects may be neglected) the magnetic field B which it produces at the position of the upper
conductor is

µ0 2I '
B= (1)
4πd 0
−7 −1
where d0 is the distance between the conductors in meters and µ0 = 4π × 10 ΤmΑ .

Prelab Question 2: What is the direction and magnitude of the magnetic field B produced by
the current I' at point P?
. P

3 mm
I'=2.5 A

Prelab Figure 2

The field produces a force F on length L of the upper conductor carrying a current I

µ 0 2 I ⋅I ' µ 0 2 L 2
F = ILB = L = I (2)
4π d0 4π d 0

Since the two conductors in this balance are connected in series, I and I' are equal and their
product may be replaced by I 2 . Since the currents flow in opposite directions the conductors repel
one another.
University of Pennsylvania FBC.3

In operation the horizontal counterweight is adjusted so that in the absence of current,with no mass
on the upper conductor, the upper conductor is balanced several millimeters above the lower
conductor. A known mass, m, is then placed on the upper conductor, which will move downward.
The force exerted by this mass ( mg ) may now be counterbalanced by passing sufficient current
through the circuit to restore equilibrium. The required current may be found by equating the
magnetic repulsion given by (2) to the downward force of gravity:

µ 0 2L 2
F = mg = I (3)
4π d 0

Therefore, a plot of the added weight, mg , as a function of the square of the current needed to
restore equilibrium will be a straight line as long as L and d0 are kept constant.

The direction of the force between the two copper conductors of the current balance is shown in
Figure 3.

The conductors as they look in the microscope

and cross-section diagram of the currents into
and out of the page. The repulsive force on the Perspective drawing of the
upper conductor is directed upward. currents in the conductors

Figure 3: The current carrying conductors

Prelab Question 3: Rank the I I

magnitude of the forces exerted
on the current I (in conductor I' I'
segments of lengths shown in
3a 3b
Figure Prelab 3 by the current
I' in order from smallest to
largest . If both conductors in I
I
the figure were free to move in
any direction, what would they
do? Explain. I' I'

3c 3d

Figure Prelab 3
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Magnetic Damping of the Balance

Without some form of damping, the top conductor of the balance would move up and down,
oscillating about the equilibrium position for several minutes. Damping is provided by a piece of
copper (a vane) attached to the counter-weight. The copper vane passes between the faces of two
horseshoe magnets. This generates eddy currents in the copper vane which in turn develop a
magnetic field that opposes that of the horseshoe magnets.

Questions

µ0
1) Is your value of within error of the defined value of 10 −7 mA−1 ? Discuss this in terms of
4π
your error analysis.

2) Assuming your graph is a fairly good straight line and the slope is about right when
uncertainties are considered, what physical relationships have you confirmed in this
experiment?

Procedure

The balance is a delicate apparatus and should be handled with care at all times. Watch out
for air currents and vibrations!

1. Trace the flow of current through the balance. Verify that the current is in opposite directions
in the parallel conductors.

2. The moveable conductor should be directly above and parallel to the fixed conductor. If it is
not ask for assistance.

3. Make sure that the braking magnets that damp the balance aren't actually touching the metal
plate that passes between them, and that the top conductor moves freely.

4. Adjust the counterweight on the top conductor so that the air space between the conductors at
initial equilibrium is approximately 1 mm (1 mm = 0.0394 in). Be careful not to disturb the
alignment.

The 10X scale

shown enlarged.

Figure 4: The microscope reticle. 1 inch = 0.0254 m.

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5. Adjust the microscope and mirror so that you can position the two conductors at a convenient
place on the 10 × microscope reticle scale. Measure the separation between the conductors at
equilibrium using the scale. On the 10 × scale there are 20 smallest divisions for each tenth of
an inch so that each smallest division is 0.005 inches.

6. Carefully place a 100 mg piece of wire on the upper conductor and increase the current through
the balance until it returns to the initial equilibrium position. Record the current.

7. Carefully remove the 100 mg piece of wire and check that the moveable conductor returns to
the same equilibrium position. If it does not, readjust the counterweight and start over.

8. Repeat this measurement four more times, increasing the current and decreasing it back to zero
each time. Calculate the mean current and its uncertainty. Check that the upper conductor
returns to the same equilibrium position each time you add or remove weights.

9. Measure the equilibrium current up to a maximum current of about 20 amperes, using the other
4 pieces of wire to add masses up to 500 mg. Plot the force as a function of I 2 .

10. Readjust the horizontal counterpoise so that the air space between the conductors at equilibrium
is approximately 2 to 3 mm wide and measure the equilibrium current for one added mass.

11. Measure the length L of the upper conductor over which the force exerted by the lower
conductor acts.
1
12. The conductors are made of (nominally) 8 inch diameter copper. Measure this diameter with a
micrometer. Be very careful not to disturb the balance. Use this measurement to check the
diameter measured with the reticle scale and make a correction if necessary.

µ0
13. From your graph, determine your best value of and the associated uncertainty. Compare
4π
this to the accepted value (all units must be MKS.)

HS 3/30/2006 force between conductors.doc