Question:

Two long parallel straight conductors separated by $10\text{ cm}$ carrying currents $20\text{ A}$, $40\text{ A}$ in the same direction. The work required per unit length to move the conductors apart to $30\text{ cm}$ is [Take $\log_{10} 3 = 0.4771$]:

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For parallel wires, the work done per unit length is simply $2 \times 10^{-7} \times I_1 I_2 \ln\left(\frac{r_2}{r_1}\right)$.
With $I_1 I_2 = 800$ and $\ln 3 \approx 1.1$, we get $1.6 \times 10^{-4} \times 1.1 = 1.76 \times 10^{-4}\text{ J/m}$, which easily converts to $17.6 \times 10^{-5}\text{ J/m}$.
Updated On: Jul 22, 2026
  • $17.6 \times 10^{-5}\text{ J m}^{-1}$
  • $21.2 \times 10^{-5}\text{ J m}^{-1}$
  • $16.8 \times 10^{-5}\text{ J m}^{-1}$
  • $14.6 \times 10^{-5}\text{ J m}^{-1}$
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
Two parallel wires carrying currents in the same direction attract each other.
We need to calculate the work required per unit length to pull them further apart from a separation of $10\text{ cm}$ to $30\text{ cm}$ against this attractive magnetic force.

Step 2: Key Formula and Approach:
The attractive magnetic force per unit length between two parallel conductors is:
\[ \frac{F}{L} = \frac{\mu_0 I_1 I_2}{2\pi r} \] The work done per unit length to change the separation from $r_1$ to $r_2$ is:
\[ \frac{W}{L} = \int_{r_1}^{r_2} \left(\frac{F}{L}\right) dr = \frac{\mu_0 I_1 I_2}{2\pi} \ln \left( \frac{r_2}{r_1} \right) \] Using $\ln(x) = 2.303 \log_{10}(x)$:
\[ \frac{W}{L} = 2.303 \times \frac{\mu_0 I_1 I_2}{2\pi} \log_{10} \left( \frac{r_2}{r_1} \right) \]

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

Identify given values:
$I_1 = 20\text{ A}$, $I_2 = 40\text{ A}$
$r_1 = 10\text{ cm} = 0.1\text{ m}$, $r_2 = 30\text{ cm} = 0.3\text{ m}$
$\frac{r_2}{r_1} = \frac{0.3}{0.1} = 3$
$\frac{\mu_0}{2\pi} = 2 \times 10^{-7}\text{ T m A}^{-1}$

Calculate work per unit length:
\[ \frac{W}{L} = 2.303 \times \left( 2 \times 10^{-7} \right) \times 20 \times 40 \times \log_{10}(3) \] \[ \frac{W}{L} = 2.303 \times 1.6 \times 10^{-4} \times 0.4771 \] \[ \frac{W}{L} = 3.6848 \times 10^{-4} \times 0.4771 \] \[ \frac{W}{L} \approx 1.758 \times 10^{-4}\text{ J m}^{-1} = 17.58 \times 10^{-5}\text{ J m}^{-1} \] Rounding to one decimal place gives:
\[ \frac{W}{L} \approx 17.6 \times 10^{-5}\text{ J m}^{-1} \]

Step 4: Final Answer:
The work required per unit length is $17.6 \times 10^{-5}\text{ J m}^{-1}$, which corresponds to Option (A).
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