A conducting circular loop of radius a and resistance per unit length R is moving with a constant velocity `v_0` , parallel to an infinite conducting wire carrying current `i_0`. A conducting rod of length `2a` is approaching the centre of the loop with a constant velocity `v_0/2` along the direction 2 of the current. At the instant `t = 0`, the rod comes in contact with the loop at `A` and starts sliding on the loop with the constant velocity. Neglecting the resistance of the rod and the self-inductance of the circuit, find the following when the rod slides on the loop.

(a) The current through the rod when it is at a distance of `(a/2)` from the point `A` of the loop.
(b) Force required to maintain the velocity of the rod at that instant.