Two long conductors, separated by a distance 'd' carry currents ' $I_1$ ' and ' $I_2$ ' in the same…

Two long conductors, separated by a distance 'd' carry currents ' $I_1$ ' and ' $I_2$ ' in the same directions. They exert a force ' $F$ ' on each other. Now the current in one of them is increased to two times and its direction is reversed. The distance is also increased to ' $3 \mathrm{~d}$. The new value of the force between them is
  1. -2F
  2. -F
  3. $-\frac{2 \mathrm{~F}}{3}$
  4. $\frac{F}{3}$

Solution

Force on each conductor is given by $\mathrm{F}=\frac{\mu_0}{4 \pi} \cdot \frac{\mathrm{I}_1 \mathrm{I}_2}{\mathrm{~d}} \ell$ This force will be attractive. If the direction of current is reversed in one conductor, the force will become repulsive. $\therefore \mathrm{F}^{\prime}=-\frac{\mu_0}{4 \pi} \cdot \frac{2 \mathrm{I}_1 \mathrm{I}_2}{3 \mathrm{~d}} \cdot \ell=-\frac{2}{3} \mathrm{~F}$

Asked in: MHT CET 2021 (23 Sep Shift 1)

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