Answer to Question #319613 in Physics for Joie

Question

A 55.0m wire carries a current of 2.25 A in a location where Earth's magnetic field is 4.5 x10-3 T. Ther wire experiences a force of 0.15 N. Find the angle between the wire and the magnetic field.

Answer 1

The Lorentz force

$$F=BIl\sin\theta$$

Hence, the angle between the wire and the magnetic field

$$\theta=\tan^{-1}\frac{F}{BIl}$$

$$\theta=\tan^{-1}\frac{0.15}{4.5*10^{-3}*2.25*0.55}=88^\circ$$