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🔋college physics i – introduction review

Parallel Conductors

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Parallel conductors are two or more conductive wires or paths that carry electric current in the same direction, with the current divided equally among them. They are an important concept in the study of magnetic force between current-carrying conductors.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The magnetic force between two parallel conductors is directly proportional to the current in each conductor and inversely proportional to the distance between them.
  2. The direction of the magnetic force between two parallel conductors depends on the direction of the current flow in each conductor.
  3. If the currents in the parallel conductors are in the same direction, the conductors will experience an attractive force.
  4. If the currents in the parallel conductors are in opposite directions, the conductors will experience a repulsive force.
  5. The magnetic field generated by one parallel conductor can exert a force on the other parallel conductor, and vice versa.

Review Questions

  • Explain how the direction of current flow in parallel conductors affects the magnetic force between them.
    • The direction of the current flow in parallel conductors determines the direction of the magnetic force between them. If the currents in the parallel conductors are in the same direction, the conductors will experience an attractive force. Conversely, if the currents are in opposite directions, the conductors will experience a repulsive force. This is because the magnetic fields generated by the currents in the parallel conductors interact with each other, leading to either an attractive or repulsive force, depending on the direction of the current flow.
  • Describe the relationship between the current in parallel conductors and the magnetic force between them.
    • The magnetic force between two parallel conductors is directly proportional to the current in each conductor. This means that as the current in the parallel conductors increases, the magnetic force between them also increases. This relationship is expressed by the formula $F = \frac{\mu_0 I_1 I_2 L}{2 \pi d}$, where $F$ is the magnetic force, $\mu_0$ is the permeability of free space, $I_1$ and $I_2$ are the currents in the two conductors, $L$ is the length of the conductors, and $d$ is the distance between them. Understanding this relationship is crucial for analyzing the behavior of parallel conductors in electromagnetic systems.
  • Evaluate the importance of the distance between parallel conductors in determining the magnetic force between them.
    • The distance between parallel conductors is a critical factor in determining the magnetic force between them. The magnetic force is inversely proportional to the distance between the conductors, as expressed by the formula $F = \frac{\mu_0 I_1 I_2 L}{2 \pi d}$. This means that as the distance between the parallel conductors increases, the magnetic force between them decreases. This relationship is fundamental to the study of magnetic force between current-carrying conductors, as it allows for the prediction and manipulation of the forces involved in various electromagnetic applications, such as motors, generators, and magnetic levitation systems. Understanding the importance of the distance between parallel conductors is essential for designing and analyzing the behavior of these systems.