Question

A current carrying straight wire AB is shown in the given diagram. Out of X, Y and Z on which point will the strength of magnetic field be maximum and why?

Answer 1

From the diagram, the perpendicular distances of points X, Y, and Z from the wire AB follow the order:

Distance to X < Distance to Y < Distance to Z.

Since point X is closest to the wire, the magnetic field strength will be strongest at this point.

The magnitude of the magnetic field (B) produced by a straight current-carrying wire is inversely proportional to the distance (r) from the wire.

B ∝ `1/r`

The strength of the magnetic field will be maximum at point X because the magnetic field intensity is inversely proportional to the distance from the conductor.