A rectangular coil, with corners labeled ABCD, of Length L and width w is placed in a magnetic field B . If there is no current flowing through the coil, what is the force acting on Section AB of the coil.

is it ILB cos(theta)

Question

A rectangular coil, with corners labeled ABCD, of Length L and width w is placed in a magnetic field B .  If there is no current flowing through the coil, what is the force acting on Section AB of the coil.

is it ILB cos(theta)

ybarrap · Answer

Using the Lorentz Force Law, the force acting on each section of the coil is $$ \mathbf{F} = I \boldsymbol{\ell} imes \mathbf{B} \,\! $$ If there is no current flowing through the coil, then F=0. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorentz_force#Force_on_a_current-carrying_wire Make sense?