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The magnetic field at a distance r from a long wire carrying current i is 0.4 tesla. The magnetic field at a distance 2r is

Asked in CBSE PMT 1992 · Straight wire segments

Answer: (1) 0.2 tesla

Step-by-step solution

Idea: outside a long straight wire, B=(μ₀i)/(2π r), so B∝1/r.

(B₂)/(B₁)=(r₁)/(r₂)=r/(2r)=1/2.

B₂=(B₁)/2.

B₂=(0.4)/2.

B₂=0.2 T.

A long wire is a one-dimensional source, which is why its field falls only as 1/r rather than as 1/r².

Why the other options are wrong

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