Two long, straight horizontal wires are near each other and parallel, with one directly above the other as shown in the figure. Wire X is fixed in place and connected to a battery (not shown) so that it carries a current IX. Wire Y, which is part of a second circuit, is free to move vertically and is suspended at rest by the magnetic force between the wires. The mass per length of wire Y is μ. Neglect the effects of the parts of the circuit that are not shown in the diagram.
(a) Calculate the magnitude of the magnetic field produced by wire X at the position of wire Y.
(b)
i. Calculate the magnitude of the current in wire Y. (IY)
ii. Indicate the direction of the current in wire Y.
___ To the left ___ To the right ___ Neither left nor right, since there is no current
Explain your answer.
(c) Now wire Y is moved to a new position that is closer to wire X, but wire Y is still below wire X and is still carrying the same current as determined in part (b). Wire Y is released from rest. Describe the initial motion of wire Y. Justify your answer.
(d) Suppose wire Y is moved to a position D above wire X. What changes in current, if any, must occur to maintain equilibrium?
(e) An electron travels with a leftward velocity v parallel to the wires midway between the wires in the second arrangement. What is the magnitude and direction of the magnetic force on the electron?
(f) What is the magnitude and direction of the electric field that is needed to keep the electron traveling in a straight line?