Skip to ContentGo to accessibility pageKeyboard shortcuts menu
OpenStax Logo
University Physics Volume 2

Conceptual Questions

University Physics Volume 2Conceptual Questions

Conceptual Questions

12.1 The Biot-Savart Law

1.

For calculating magnetic fields, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the Biot-Savart law?

2.

Describe the magnetic field due to the current in two wires connected to the two terminals of a source of emf and twisted tightly around each other.

3.

How can you decide if a wire is infinite?

4.

Identical currents are carried in two circular loops; however, one loop has twice the diameter as the other loop. Compare the magnetic fields created by the loops at the center of each loop.

12.2 Magnetic Field Due to a Thin Straight Wire

5.

How would you orient two long, straight, current-carrying wires so that there is no net magnetic force between them? (Hint: What orientation would lead to one wire not experiencing a magnetic field from the other?)

12.3 Magnetic Force between Two Parallel Currents

6.

Compare and contrast the electric field of an infinite line of charge and the magnetic field of an infinite line of current.

7.

Is BB constant in magnitude for points that lie on a magnetic field line?

12.4 Magnetic Field of a Current Loop

8.

Is the magnetic field of a current loop uniform?

9.

What happens to the length of a suspended spring when a current passes through it?

10.

Two concentric circular wires with different diameters carry currents in the same direction. Describe the force on the inner wire.

12.5 Ampère’s Law

11.

Is Ampère’s law valid for all closed paths? Why isn’t it normally useful for calculating a magnetic field?

12.6 Solenoids and Toroids

12.

Is the magnetic field inside a toroid completely uniform? Almost uniform?

13.

Explain why B=0B=0 inside a long, hollow copper pipe that is carrying an electric current parallel to the axis. Is B=0B=0 outside the pipe?

12.7 Magnetism in Matter

14.

A diamagnetic material is brought close to a permanent magnet. What happens to the material?

15.

If you cut a bar magnet into two pieces, will you end up with one magnet with an isolated north pole and another magnet with an isolated south pole? Explain your answer.

Order a print copy

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Citation/Attribution

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-2/pages/1-introduction
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a digital format, then you must include on every digital page view the following attribution:
    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-2/pages/1-introduction
Citation information

© Jan 19, 2024 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.