Chapter 28

Sources of Magnetic Field

 Topics
• Magnetic Field Generation
• Magnetic field generated by a moving charge
• Magnetic field of a current-carrying conductor
• Magnetic force between current-carrying
conductors
• Ampere’s Law
 Learning Objectives
After studying this chapter you should be able :
• To calculate the magnetic field produced by a
moving charge
• To calculate the magnetic field produced by a
wire using the Biot-Savart Law.
• To comprehend the meaning of Ampere's Law.
• To use Ampere's Law to calculate magnetic
fields for an infinite wire and other
appropriate configuations
Sources of Magnetic Field

Introduction
Magnetic Field and Force

Produces
Force On

Magnetic Moving
Field B Charges

Create
 Magnetic Field Generation
• A moving charge will generate a magnetic field
dependent on the velocity of the charge
Magnetic Field of a Moving Charge
A moving charge with
velocity 𝑣 produces a magnetic P X B
field at point P,
𝜇0 𝑞𝑣×𝑟Ƹ v
𝐵= FROM EXPERIMENT 𝑟Ƹ
4𝜋 𝑟 2 q
where 𝑟Ƹ is the unit vector directed
from 𝑞 to 𝑃,
−7 𝑚
𝜇0 = 4𝜋 × 10 𝑇 ∙ is the
𝐴
permeability of free space
Direction of B is defined by RHR –
here into page
Sources of Magnetic Field

Biot- Savart Law

 Transition to Biot-Savart Law
𝜇0 𝑑𝑞𝑣×𝑟Ƹ
𝑑𝐵 = ,
4𝜋 𝑟 2
The total magnetic field caused by several moving charges is the
vector sum of the fields created by the individual charges . But
many moving charges on a wire create current, so we can use it to
find the expression for magnetic field due to current element

𝑂𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑒
𝑑𝑠 𝑑𝑞
𝑣Ԧ = 𝑠Ƹ ; =𝐼
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
dq 𝑣Ԧ =(dq)𝑠ds/dt=
Ƹ (dq/dt) 𝑠ds=
Ƹ 𝐼𝑑 𝑠Ԧ

𝜇0 𝐼𝑑 𝑠റ × 𝑟Ƹ
𝑑𝐵 =
4𝜋 𝑟 2
 The Biot-Savart Law
• A current element of length 𝑑𝑠 carrying a
current 𝐼 produces a magnetic field at P
𝜇0 𝐼𝑑𝑠റ × 𝑟Ƹ
𝑑𝐵 =
4𝜋 𝑟 2
Right Hand Rule
 How to use Biot-Savart Law to
calculate magnetic field: general idea
• Recall calculations of the electric field
• Start with differential of magnetic field
𝜇0 𝐼𝑑𝑠റ × 𝑟Ƹ
𝑑𝐵 =
4𝜋 𝑟 2

• Visualize

• Remember that B is a vector and you may need to work with

components- however in many case all dBs are parallel

• Define the variables and their relations – s, r, and angles

Problem : Find the magnetic field -𝐵 field at the point P distance
𝑟⊥ away from infinite straight wire carrying current I
Use AIDE method
𝑟⊥
A-Analyze the problem Target variable – magnetic P•
field 𝐵 ( 𝑟⊥ ) at point P
Draw a picture I
Known quantities current I, distance 𝑟⊥
I-Identify physics
Charges ( current) CREATE magnetic field in empty space
around it.
𝐵 is a vector, but in this case 𝐵 is pointing in the same
direction for each element of the wire (out of the page)
Use the Biot-Savart Law to calculate 𝑑𝐵 for each element
of 𝑑 𝑠റ at point P distance 𝑟⊥ from the wire
𝜇0 𝐼𝑑𝑠റ × 𝑟Ƹ
𝑑𝐵 =
4𝜋 𝑟 2

Integrate over the length of the wire ( from -∞ to + ∞ )

D- Develop the solution
𝑑𝐵 is a vector, but in this case all 𝑑𝐵-a are pointing in the same
direction for each element of the wire (out of the page) so we
can calculate magnitude directly
∞
𝜇0 𝐼𝑑 𝑠റ × 𝑟Ƹ
𝐵 = න 𝑑𝐵 𝑑𝐵 =
−∞ 4𝜋 𝑟 2

• Cross product magnitude of dറs × ොr = sinϴds

• R, s and ϴ relation:

𝑟 = 𝑠 2 + 𝑟⊥ 2 1/2

1
sin 𝜃= sin (𝜋- 𝜃)=𝑟⊥ / 𝑠2 + 𝑟⊥ 2 2
 • Put it all together and integrate-
( Note : because it is infinite line , any point is the symmetry point so you can
multiply by 2 and integrate 0 to infinity )

∞ ∞
𝜇0 𝑖𝑑𝑠 sin 𝜃 𝜇0 𝑖 ∞ 𝑑𝑠 sin 𝜃
𝐵 = 2 න 𝑑𝐵 = 2 න 2
= න
0 0 4𝜋 𝑟 2𝜋 0 𝑟2
• Substituting, we get:
𝜇0 𝑖 ∞ 2 2
3
𝐵= න (𝑟⊥ 𝑑𝑠)/ 𝑠 + 𝑟⊥ 2
2𝜋 0
• Finally, use the formula:
𝑑𝑥 𝑥
න 3 = 1
𝑥 2 + 𝑎2 2 𝑎2 𝑥 2 + 𝑎2 2
• Carrying out the integral, we get:
𝜇0 𝑖 1 𝑟⊥ 𝑠 ∞
𝐵=
2𝜋 𝑟⊥ 2 1 0
𝑠2 + 𝑟⊥ 2 2
• The magnetic field at a perpendicular distance from a long,
straight current-carrying wire is:
𝜇0 𝑖
𝐵 𝑟⊥ =
2𝜋𝑟⊥

𝐵 is out of page from RHR

 More on 𝐵 Direction: Along a Wire

• 𝑑𝐵points in the direction of 𝑑 𝑙റ × 𝑟Ƹ

𝜇0 𝐼𝑑 𝑙റ×𝑟Ƹ
• 𝑑𝐵 =
4𝜋 𝑟 2
• (𝑟Ƹ is from line towards the point )
• A: 𝑑 𝑙റ is to the right,( current direction)
an 𝑟Ƹ is up ⟹ 𝑑𝐵is out of the page
റ to the right, and ෝ𝑟is up and right
• B:𝑑 𝑙is
⟹ 𝑑𝐵is out of the page
റ to the right, and 𝑟is
• C:𝑑 𝑙is Ƹ down and
right ⟹ 𝑑𝐵is into the page

• Conclusion: At every point above the

wire, 𝑑𝐵 is ⨀. Below the wire, 𝑑𝐵is ⨂
 What You Should Be Able to Do
• Be able to explain the general relations between
moving charges and the magnetic field
• Be able to calculate the magnetic field
(magnitude and direction) generated by a moving
charge and use it to solve problems
• Be able to explain the general relations between
current-carrying elements and the magnetic field
• Be able to calculate the magnetic field
(magnitude and direction) generated by a current
carrying wire and use it to solve problems
Problem : Find the magnetic field 𝐵 field at the point P distance
𝑥 along the axis of the circular loop of radius a carrying current I

Use AIDE method

A-Analyze the problem Target variable – magnetic
field 𝐵 (𝑥) at point P
Draw a picture
Known quantities current I, distance 𝑥, radius a
I-Identify physics
Charges ( current) CREATE magnetic field in empty space
around it.
𝐵 is a vector, , check the components
Use the Biot-Savart Law to calculate 𝑑𝐵for each element
of 𝑑 𝑠റ at point P distance 𝑟⊥ from the wire

𝜇0 𝐼𝑑𝑠റ × 𝑟Ƹ
𝑑𝐵 =
4𝜋 𝑟 2
Integrate over the circular loop
D- Develop the solution
𝐵 is a vector, so we need to calculate and integrate each
component separately

𝐵𝑥 = න𝑑𝐵𝑥 𝐵𝑦 = න𝑑𝐵𝑦
𝜇0 𝐼𝑑 𝑠റ × 𝑟Ƹ
𝑑𝐵 =
4𝜋 𝑟 2

X, y plane crossection- loop is in y, z plane

 r dl r

• What is the direction of the field?

• y components cancel so B is in x direction
• Biot-Savart Law: 𝜇0 𝐼𝑑 𝑠റ × 𝑟Ƹ
𝑑𝐵 =
4𝜋 𝑟2
• 𝑑𝑠 = 𝑑𝑙 is perpendicular to 𝑟 so we can start with 𝑑𝐵
magnitude
𝜇0 𝐼 𝑑𝑙
𝑑𝐵 =
4𝜋 𝑟 2
𝑟 2 = 𝑥 2 + 𝑎2
• For every current element along the loop
 Circular Loop, on the Axis

r
θ

• The magnitude of 𝑑𝐵 from the element 𝑑𝑙:

𝜇0 𝐼 𝑑𝑙 𝜇0 𝐼 𝑑𝑙
𝑑𝐵 = 2
=
4𝜋 𝑟 4𝜋 𝑥 2 + 𝑎2
• Calculate the 𝑥 component (the other components cancel)
𝜇0 𝐼 𝑑𝑙
𝑑𝐵𝑥 = cos 𝜃
4𝜋 𝑥 2 + 𝑎2
𝑎
cos 𝜃 =
𝑥 2 + 𝑎2
𝜇0 𝐼 𝑎
𝐵𝑥 = 3 න 𝑑𝑙
4𝜋 2
𝑥 + 𝑎2 2
Circular Loop, on the Axis
𝜇0 𝐼 𝑎
r 𝐵𝑥 = 3 න 𝑑𝑙
4𝜋
𝑥 2 + 𝑎2 2
න 𝑑𝑙 = 2𝜋𝑎

𝜇0 𝐼𝑎2
𝐵𝑥 =
3
2 𝑥2 + 2
𝑎 2
• Note the form the field takes for 𝑥 ≫ 𝑎
𝜇0 𝐼𝑎2
𝐵𝑥 =
2𝑥 3
• Expressed in terms of the magnetic moment IA (more
abut this later):
2
𝜇0 𝜇
𝜇 = 𝐼𝜋𝑎 ⟹ 𝐵𝑥 ≈
2𝜋 𝑥 3
• Note the typical dipole field behavior
Sources of Magnetic Field

Force between two current currying wires

Magnetic Force between current carrying wires

Produce Force
On

Magnetic Field Wire Carrying

B Current

Creates

• Wire 1 carrying current creates a magnetic

field and a magnetic field exerts a force on
current wire 2 (or vice versa)
 Forces and Parallel Conductors
• When current is run one way through one rod
and the opposite way through another rod, they
will fly apart. If the connection is reversed in one
rod so both currents are in the same direction,
the rods will snap together.
 Putting it All Together
• We know that a current-carrying
wire can experience force from a 𝐵-
field
• We know that a current-carrying
wire produces a 𝐵-field
• Therefore: We expect one current-
carrying wire to exert a force on
another current-carrying wire

• Current in the same direction →

wires come together
• Current in opposite direction →
wires repel
 Example -Force between Two Parallel
Current-Carrying Wires
F •
𝐹Ԧ
Ib d

Ia

• Calculate the force on a length 𝐿 of wire 𝑏 due to

the field of the wire 𝑎
– The field at 𝑏 due to 𝑎 is given by:
𝜇0 𝐼𝑎 𝜇0 𝐼𝑎 𝐼𝑏 𝐿
𝐵𝑎 = → 𝐹𝑏 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 → 𝐹𝑏 = 𝐼𝑏 𝐿 × 𝐵𝑎 =
2𝜋𝑑 2𝜋𝑑
 Force on Two Parallel Current-Carrying
Wires
Ib d
𝐹Ԧ
F Ia
×
• Calculate the force on length 𝐿 of a wire 𝑎 due to the
field of wire 𝑏
– The field at 𝑎 due to 𝑏 is given by:
𝜇0 𝐼𝑏 𝜇0 𝐼𝑎 𝐼𝑏 𝐿
𝐵𝑏 = → 𝐹𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 → 𝐹𝑎 = 𝐼𝑎 𝐿 × 𝐵𝑏 =
2𝜋𝑑 FF2𝜋𝑑
𝐹𝑎 = 𝐹𝑏 as it should be from symmetry of theFproblem
(Newton’s 3rd law!)
Sources of Magnetic Field

Ampere’s Law- General

 Gauss’s Law for Magnetism
2nd Maxwell’s equation
𝑑Φ𝐵 = 𝐵 ∙ 𝑑𝐴റ Φ𝐵 = ‫𝐴𝑑 ∙ 𝐵 ׬‬റ
Since magnetic field does not have monopoles there is
always a pair of sources (N and S), so the total magnetic
flux through a closed surface is always zero
Magnetic Gauss’s Law: ‫𝟎 = 𝑨𝒅 ∙ 𝑩 װ‬

Remember
the charge is an electric monopole.
𝑄𝑖𝑛
st
1 Maxwell’s റ
඾ 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑𝐴 =
equation
𝜀0
 Gauss’s Law for electric field

• The total “flux” of field lines penetrating any of these

surfaces is the same and depends only on the amount
of charge inside
• Remember we can use Gauss’s Law to calculate electric
field, but cannot be used to calculate magnetic field
 Ampere’s Law: The Idea

• However, there is a similar idea for magnetic field

calculations: Ampere’s Law
• Recall that around a current carrying wire, there
exists a magnetic field encircling the wire
 Ampere’s Law: 3rd Maxwell’s equation

Ampere’s Law: The line integral around any closed path is

proportional to enclosed current

ර 𝐵 ∙ 𝑑 𝑠റ = 𝜇0 𝐼𝑒𝑛𝑐

The line integral is around any closed contour bounding an open surface, 𝑆.
𝐼𝑒𝑛𝑐 is the current through 𝑆:
𝐼𝑒𝑛𝑐 = න 𝐽റ ∙ 𝑑 𝐴റ
Ampere’s Law
 Always True, Occasionally Useful

• Like Gauss’s Law, Ampere’s Law is always true.

However, it is only useful for calculations of
magnetic field in certain specific situations,
involving highly symmetric currents. Following
are some examples
 Ampere’s Law – symmetry cases
• Ampere’s Law is useful for high symmetry problems,
when the one can find the path, called amperian loop ,
on which 𝐵 ∙ 𝑑 𝑙റ is such that B can be taken out of
integral to create
‫𝑙 𝑑 ∙ 𝐵 ׯ‬റ = 𝜇0 𝐼 BL = 𝜇0 𝐼

where L is the length of the closed path, around the

current . The right hand side is the current “enclosed” by
that path
Symmetries used for 𝐵-Field Calculations
by Ampere’s Law- Amperian Loop
• An infinite, thick, straight wire (cylinder)

• An infinite current sheet

• A solenoid

• A toroid
Sources of Magnetic Field

Ampere’s Law- Examples

The simplest case is for an
infinite long, straight, current-
carrying wire.
Choose the circular curve
centred on wire. Magnetic field is
tangent to this circle from Biot-
Savart law, and has the same  B  d l  B  dl  B2 R   i
0 enclosed
magnitude all around the loop. C

0ienclosed
B
2 R
Compare with earlier result using Biot-Savart:

Magnetic field B due to a current in a straight wire.

0 I 2a
B
4 x x 2  a 2

If the length of the wire

approaches infinity in both
directions, we found
A.True F. False Magnetic fields

1. The magnetic field due to a current element is parallel

False
to the current element.
2. The magnetic field due to a current element varies
inversely with the square of the distance from the True
element.
3. The magnetic field due to a long wire varies inversely False
with the square of the distance from the wire.
4. Ampere’s law is valid only of there is a high degree of
symmetry. False
Example -Infinite Cylinder of Radius 𝑅
• Find 𝐵 everywhere
– Outside → 𝑟 > 𝑅
– Inside → 𝑟 < 𝑅
• Find symmetry – where is
the magnetic field
constant
• Cylindrical Symmetry: An
amperian loop is a circle
Infinite Cylinder of Radius 𝑅
• Region 1: Outside the wire (𝑟 ≥
𝑅)
– 𝐵-field is counterclockwise (RHR)

ර 𝐵 ∙ 𝑑 𝑠റ = 𝐵 ර 𝑑𝑠റ = 𝐵(2𝜋𝑟)

= 𝜇0 𝐼𝑒𝑛𝑐 = 𝜇0 𝐼
𝜇0 𝐼
B= counterclockwise
2𝜋𝑟
Infinite Cylinder of Radius 𝑅
• Region 2: Inside the wire (𝑟 < 𝑅)
ර 𝐵 ∙ 𝑑𝑠റ = 𝐵 ර 𝑑 𝑠റ = 𝐵(2𝜋𝑟)

𝜋𝑟 2
= 𝜇0 𝐼𝑒𝑛𝑐 = 𝜇0 𝐼
𝜋𝑅2
𝜇0 𝐼𝑟
B= counterclockwise
2𝜋𝑅 2

Only part of the current is enclosed

Infinite Cylinder of Radius 𝑅
 Example :The Magnetic Field of a
Solenoid

• For an ideal solenoid, 𝐵 is uniform inside and

zero outside
Magnetic Field of an Ideal Solenoid
• Using Ampere’s law: Think!
𝐵 ∙ 𝑑 𝑠റ = 𝐵𝑙
𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ 1
𝐵 ∙ 𝑑 𝑠റ = 0 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 4 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝐵 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑙

𝐵 ∙ 𝑑 𝑠റ = 0 along side 3 because B=0

ර 𝐵 ∙ 𝑑𝑠റ = න 𝐵 ∙ 𝑑𝑠റ + න 𝐵 ∙ 𝑑𝑠റ + න 𝐵 ∙ 𝑑𝑠റ + න 𝐵 ∙ 𝑑𝑠റ

1 2 3 4

= 𝐵𝑙 + 0 + 0 + 0
𝐼𝑒𝑛𝑐 = 𝑛𝑙𝐼 𝑛 = 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦

ර 𝐵 ∙ 𝑑 𝑠റ = Bl = 𝜇0 𝑛𝑙𝐼

𝑁 # 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑠
𝑛= :
𝐿 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
𝜇0 𝑛𝑙𝐼
𝐵= = 𝜇0 𝑛𝐼
𝑙
 Magnetic Field of a Toroid
• Find the field at a
point at distance r
from the center of the
toroid
• The toroid has N turns
of wire

 B  ds  B( 2πr )  μ N I
o

μo N I
B
2πr
 Summary
• Magnetic Field of a Moving Charge
A moving charge with velocity 𝑣 produces a at point P magnetic
field
PX
𝜇0 𝑞 𝑣റ × 𝑟Ƹ B
𝐵=
4𝜋 𝑟 2 vq𝑟Ƹ
• The Biot-Savart Law
A current element of length 𝑑𝑠 carrying a current 𝐼 produces a
magnetic field
𝜇0 𝐼𝑑𝑠റ × 𝑟Ƹ
𝑑𝐵 =
4𝜋 𝑟 2
• Magnetic Force between current carrying wires
Produce Force
On

Magnetic Field Wire Carrying

B Current

Creates

Wire 1 carrying current creates a magnetic field and a magnetic

field exerts a force on current wire 2 (or vice versa) –the same
𝜇0 𝐼1 𝐼2
direction – attract ; the opposite – repel 𝐹/𝐿 =
2𝜋𝑑

• Ampere’s Law
The line integral around any closed path is proportional to enclosed
current
ර 𝐵 ∙ 𝑑𝑠റ = 𝜇0 𝐼𝑒𝑛𝑐
 Biot-Savart vs. Ampere
Biot- 𝜇0 𝐼 𝑑 𝑠റ × 𝑟Ƹ General
Savart Law 𝐵= න current
4𝜋 𝑟2 source, ex.
Finite wire,
wire loop
Ampere’s Symmetric
Law ර 𝐵 ∙ 𝑑 𝑠റ = 𝜇0 𝐼𝑒𝑛𝑐 current
source, ex.
Infinite
cylinder ,
ideal
solenoid,
infinite
 Maxwell’s Equations (So Far)
• Gauss’s Law:
𝑄𝑖𝑛
඾ 𝐸 ∙ 𝑑 𝐴റ =
𝜀0
• Magnetic Gauss’s Law:

඾ 𝐵 ∙ 𝑑 𝐴റ = 0

• Ampere’s Law

ර 𝐵 ∙ 𝑑 𝑠റ = 𝜇0 𝐼𝑒𝑛𝑐