The Laws of Biot-Savart & Ampere

dl
 I

Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 1

 Overview of Lecture

 Fundamental Law for Calculating Magnetic Field

• Biot-Savart Law (“brute force”)
• Ampere’s Law (“high symmetry”)
 Example: Calculate Magnetic Field of  Straight Wire
• from Biot-Savart Law
• from Ampere’s Law
 Calculate Force on Two Parallel Current-Carrying Conductors

Text Reference: Chapter 30.1-4

Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 2

 Calculation of Electric Field

 Two ways to calculate the Electric Field:

• Coulomb's Law:

"Brute force"

• Gauss' Law

"High symmetry"

 What are the analogous equations for the Magnetic Field?

Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 3

 Calculation of Magnetic Field

 Two ways to calculate the Magnetic Field:

• Biot-Savart Law:

I "Brute force"

• Ampere's Law

"High symmetry"

 These are the analogous equations for the Magnetic Field!

Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 4

 Biot-Savart Law…bits and pieces

dl

 r
X
dB

So, the magnetic field “circulates” around the wire

Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 5
 Magnetic Field of
 Straight Wire

P
• Calculate field at point P using
Biot-Savart Law: r R

Which way is B? I x
dx

 Rewrite in terms of R,:

 

 
Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 6
 Magnetic Field of
 Straight Wire

r R

I x
dx

Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 7

 Lecture 14, ACT 1 I
 What is the magnitude of the magnetic field at
the center of a loop of radius R, carrying current
I?
R

(a) B = 0 (b) BR (c) BR

Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 8

 Lecture 14, ACT 1 I
 What is the magnitude of the magnetic field at the center of a loop
of radius R, carrying current I?
r
Idx
R

(a) B = 0 (b) BR (c) BR

• To calculate the magnetic field at the center, we must use the Biot-
Savart Law:

• Two nice things about calculating B at the center of the loop:

• Idx is always perpendicular to r
• r is a constant (=R)

Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 9

 Magnetic Field of
 Straight Wire

• Calculate field at distance R

from wire using Ampere's Law:
dl
 Choose loop to be circle of radius R centered on I R
the wire in a plane  to wire.
 Why?
» Magnitude of B is constant (fcn of R only)
» Direction of B is parallel to the path.
 Evaluate line integral in Ampere’s Law:
 Current enclosed by path = I
 Apply Ampere’s Law:


• Ampere's Law simplifies the calculation thanks to symmetry of

the current! ( axial/cylindrical ) Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 10
 Lecture 14, ACT 2 y
a
 A current I flows in an infinite straight wire in the x
+z direction as shown. A concentric infinite x x
b
cylinder of radius R carries current 2I in the -z
direction. x x 2I
I
 What is the magnetic field Bx(a) at point a, just x x
outside the cylinder as shown? x

x
(a) Bx(a) < 0 (b) Bx(a) = 0 (c) Bx(a) > 0

– What is the magnetic field Bx(b) at point b, just inside the

cylinder as shown?

(a) Bx(b) < 0 (b) Bx(b) = 0 (c) Bx(b) > 0

Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 11

 Lecture 14, ACT 2 y
a
x
 A current I flows in an infinite straight wire in the +z x x
direction as shown. A concentric infinite cylinder b
of radius R carries current 2I in the -z direction. x x 2I
I
 What is the magnetic field Bx(a) at point a, just outside x x
the cylinder as shown? x

(a) Bx(a) < 0 (b) Bx(a) = 0 (c) Bx(a) > 0

• This situation has massive cylindrical symmetry!
• Applying Ampere’s Law, we see that the field at point a must just be
the field from an infinite wire with current I flowing in the -z direction!
B

B x
I
B

B
Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 12
 Lecture 14, ACT 2 y
a
x
 A current I flows in an infinite straight wire x x
b
in the +z direction as shown. A concentric
x x 2I
infinite cylinder of radius R carries current I
2I in the -z direction. x x
x
 What is the magnetic field Bx(a) at point a, just
outside the cylinder as shown? x

(a) Bx(a) < 0 (b) Bx(a) = 0 (c) Bx(a) > 0

What is the magnetic field Bx(b) at point b, just inside the cylinder
as shown?

(a) Bx(b) < 0 (b) Bx(b) = 0 (c) Bx(b) > 0

• Just inside the cylinder, the total current enclosed by the Ampere loop
will be I in the +z direction!
• Therefore, the magnetic field at b will just be minus the magnetic field
at a!!
Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 13
 Force on 2 Parallel
Current-Carrying Conductors F


• Calculate force on length L of wire b due to
field of wire a: Ib d
L
The field at b due to a is given by:
Ia


Force on b =

 Calculate force on length L of wire a due to field of wire b:

L
Ib d
The field at a due to b is given by:
Ia


Force on a = F
Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 15
 Lecture 14, ACT 3 I
y
 A current I flows in the positive y direction
in an infinite wire; a current I also flows in
the loop as shown in the diagram.
 What is Fx, net force on the loop in the x- I
direction?

x
(a) Fx < 0 (b) Fx = 0 (c) Fx > 0

Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 16

 Lecture 14, ACT 3 I
y Ftop
 A current I flows in the positive y direction
in an infinite wire; a current I also flows in
the loop as shown in the diagram. Fright
 What is Fx, net force on the loop in the x- X I
Fleft
direction?

Fbottom x
(a) Fx < 0 (b) Fx = 0 (c) Fx > 0

• You may have remembered from a previous ACT that the net force on
a current loop in a constant magnetic field is zero.
• However, the magnetic field produced by the infinite wire is not a
constant field!!
• The direction of the magnetic field at the current loop is in the -z direction.

• The forces on the top and bottom segments of the loop DO indeed cancel!!

• The forces on the left and right segments of the loop DO NOT cancel!!
• The left segment of the loop is in a larger magnetic field.
• Therefore, Fleft > Fright
Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 17
 Examples of Magnetic Field Calculations

• x
dB x
R r x
x
 x
z z x
R x
r x
dB xxxxx x
x x
xxxxxxxx x
x
xxxxxxxxx
a r
xxxxxxxx
xxxxx
Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 18
 Overview of Lecture

 Calculate Magnetic Fields

 Inside a Long Straight Wire
 Infinite Current Sheet
 Solenoid
 Toroid
 Circular Loop

Text Reference: Chapter 30.1-5

Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 19

 Today is Ampere’s Law Day

"High symmetry"

 B  dl   0I

Integral around a path …

Current “enclosed” by that path
hopefully a simple one

 I

Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 20

 B Field Inside
a Long Wire

xxxxx
 Suppose a total current I flows through the wire of
radius a into the screen as shown. xxxxxxxx
 Calculate B field as a fcn of r, the distance from
the center of the wire. xxxxxxxxx
a r
xxxxxxxx
xxxxx
• B field is only a fcn of r  take path to
 
be circle of radius r:   B d l  B(2 π r)

r2
• Current passing through circle: i 2
I
a
μ 0I r
   B
• Ampere's Law:  B d l  μ oi 2 π a2
Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 21
 B Field of a
Long Wire

• Inside the wire: (r < a) y= b1(x);b2(x) a

1

0 I r
B=
2 a2 B

• Outside the wire: (r>a)

0
0 I 0
r
4

B=
2 r
x= x

Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 22

 Lecture 15, ACT 1
 Two cylindrical conductors each carry current I into the
screen as shown. The conductor on the left is solid and has I I
radius R=3a. The conductor on the right has a hole in the
middle and carries current only between R=a and R=3a.
 What is the relation between the magnetic field at
R = 6a for the two cases (L=left, R=right)? a
3a 3a 2a
1A

(a) BL(6a)< BR(6a) (b) BL(6a)= BR(6a) (c) BL(6a)> BR(6a)

• What is the relation between the magnetic field at R = 2a for

1B
the two cases (L=left, R=right)?

(a) BL(2a)< BR(2a) (b) BL(2a)= BR(2a) (c) BL(2a)> BR(2a)

Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 23

 Lecture 15, ACT 1
 Two cylindrical conductors each carry current I into the
screen as shown. The conductor on the left is solid and has I I
radius R=3a. The conductor on the right has a hole in the
middle and carries current only between R=a and R=3a.
 What is the relation between the magnetic field at
R = 6a for the two cases (L=left, R=right)? a
3a 3a 2a
1A

(a) BL(6a)< BR(6a) (b) BL(6a)= BR(6a) (c) BL(6a)> BR(6a)

• Ampere’s Law can be used to find the field in both cases.
• The Amperian loop in each case is a circle of radius R=6a in the
plane of the screen.
• The field in each case has cylindrical symmetry, being everywhere
tangent to the circle.
• Therefore the field at R=6a depends only on the total current
enclosed!!
• In each case, a total current I is enclosed.
Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 24
 Lecture 15, ACT 1
 Two cylindrical conductors each carry current I into the
screen as shown. The conductor on the left is solid and has I I
radius R=3a. The conductor on the right has a hole in the
middle and carries current only between R=a and R=3a.
 What is the relation between the magnetic field at
R = 6a for the two cases (L=left, R=right)? a
3a 3a 2a
1A

(a) BL(6a)< BR(6a) (b) BL(6a)= BR(6a) (c) BL(6a)> BR(6a)

• What is the relation between the magnetic field at R = 2a for

1B
the two cases (L=left, R=right)?

(a) BL(2a)< BR(2a) (b) BL(2a)= BR(2a) (c) BL(2a)> BR(2a)

• Once again, the field depends only on how much current is enclosed.
• For the LEFT conductor: • For the RIGHT conductor:

IL 
 ( 2a ) 2

4
IR 

 ( 2a ) 2  a 2  
3
 (3a ) 2
I
9
I
 2 2

I I
 a 1304:8Lecture 12, Pg 25
 (3a ) Physics
 B Field of
 Current Sheet y

 Consider an  sheet of current described by n wires/length

x x
each carrying current i into the screen as shown. Calculate
x
x
the B field. x
x
x
x
x
• What is the direction of the field? x
• Symmetry  y direction! x
• Calculate using Ampere's law using a square x
x
of side w:
constant constant
 
•  B d l  Bw  0  Bw  0  2 Bw

• I  nwi
  μ 0 ni
  B d l  μ 0 I  B
2Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 26
 B Field of a
Solenoid

 A constant magnetic field can (in principle) be produced by an  sheet of current. In

practice, however, a constant magnetic field is often produced by a solenoid.

L
• A solenoid is defined by a current I flowing
through a wire which is wrapped n turns per
unit length on a cylinder of radius a and a
length L.

• If a << L, the B field is to first order contained within the

solenoid, in the axial direction, and of constant magnitude.
In this limit, we can calculate the field using Ampere's Law.

Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 27

 B Field of a
 Solenoid

 To calculate the B field of the  solenoid using Ampere's Law, we need to justify the
claim that the B field is 0 outside the solenoid.

• To do this, view the  solenoid from the side xxxxx

as 2  current sheets.

•
• •• • •
The fields are in the same direction in the
region between the sheets (inside the solenoid)
and cancel outside the sheets (outside the
solenoid).

• Draw square path of side w: xxxxx

  • •• • •
 B d l  Bw
I  nwi  B  μ 0 ni
Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 28
 Toroid • • •
• •
• Toroid defined by N total turns with • xx x •
current i.
x x
x x
• B=0 outside toroid! (Consider • x
x r xx •
integrating B on circle outside toroid) xx
•
x xx •
• •
• B•
To find B inside, consider circle of radius r, centered at

the center of the toroid.
•

 
 B d l  B(2 π r)
I  Ni

  μ 0 Ni
Apply Ampere’s Law:  B d l  μ 0 I  B
2 πr
Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 29
 Circular Loop
 Circular loop of radius R carries current i.
Calculate B along the axis of the loop: •
r dB
R

• Magnitude of dB from element dl: z z
R r
0 i dl 0 i dl dB
dB = = x
4 r 2 4  z 2 +R2
• What is the direction of the field?
• Symmetry  B in z-direction.

0 i dl
dB z = cos  0 i  
4  z +R
2 2 R
 Bz = 
dl
R 4  (z 2 +R2 ) 3/2   
cos  =
z 2 +R2
Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 30
 Circular Loop

0 i   •
R dB
Bz = dl

R r
4  (z +R )
2 2 3/2
  
  z z
dl = 2 R
 R r
  dB
0 iR 2 x
 Bz =
2(z 2 +R2 ) 3/2
0 iR 2
 Note the form the field takes for z>>R: Bz 
2z 3
• Expressed in terms of the magnetic moment:
0  note the typical
=i R2  Bz  dipole field
2  z3
behavior!
Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 31
 Lecture 15, ACT 2
 Equal currents I flow in identical circular loops as I I
shown in the diagram. The loop on the right(left) o x
carries current in the ccw(cw) direction as seen
2A looking along the +z direction.
 What is the magnetic field Bz(A) at point A,
the midpoint between the two loops? A B z

x o

(a) Bz(A) < 0 (b) Bz(A) = 0 (c) Bz(A) > 0

2B – What is the magnetic field Bz(B) at point B, just to the right of the
right loop?

(a) Bz(B) < 0 (b) Bz(B) = 0 (c) Bz(B) > 0

Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 32

 Lecture 15, ACT 2
 Equal currents I flow in identical circular loops as I I
shown in the diagram. The loop on the right(left) o x
carries current in the ccw(cw) direction as seen
2A looking along the +z direction.
 What is the magnetic field Bz(A) at point A,
the midpoint between the two loops? A B z

x o

(a) Bz(A) < 0 (b) Bz(A) = 0 (c) Bz(A) > 0

• The right current loop gives rise to Bz <0 at point A.

• The left current loop gives rise to Bz >0 at point A.
• From symmetry, the magnitudes of the fields must be equal.
• Therefore, B(A) = 0!

Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 33

 Lecture 15, ACT 2
 Equal currents I flow in identical circular loops as I I
shown in the diagram. The loop on the right(left) o x
carries current in the ccw(cw) direction as seen
2A looking along the +z direction.
 What is the magnetic field Bz(A) at point A,
the midpoint between the two loops? A B z

x o

(a) Bz(A) < 0 (b) Bz(A) = 0 (c) Bz(A) > 0

2B – What is the magnetic field Bz(B) at point B, just to the right of the
right loop?

(a) Bz(B) < 0 (b) Bz(B) = 0 (c) Bz(B) > 0

• The signs of the fields from each loop are the same at B as they are at
A!
• However, point B is closer to the right loop, so its field wins!
Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 34
 Circular Loop

y=

Bz
1

z3

0
0 z x=

0 iR 2
Bz =
2(z 2 +R2 ) 3/2
Physics 1304: Lecture 12, Pg 35