Wire 1 in Fig. is oriented along the y-axis and carries a steady current `I_1`. A rectangular loop located to right of the wire and in the x-y plane carries a current `I_2`. Find the magnetic force exerted by wire (1) on the top of wire (2) of length b in the loop, labeled "wire (2)" in the figure.

Explanation

Consider the force exerted by wire 1 on a small segment ds
of wire (2). This force is given by `dvecF=IdvecsxxvecB`, where `I=I_2`
`vecB` is the magnetic filed created by the current in wire (1) at
the position of `dvecs`. The field at a distance x from wire (1) is
`B=(mu_0I_1)/(2pix)(-hatk)`
where the unit vector `-hatk` is used to idicate that the field due to
the current in wire (1) at the position of `dvecs` points into the page.
Because wire (2) is along the x-axis, `dvecs=dxhati`, we find that
`dF_B=(mu_0I_1I_2)/(2pix)[hatixx(-hatk)]dx= (mu_0I_1I_2)/(2pi) (dx)/x hatj`
Integrating over the limits `x=a` to `x=a+b` gives
`F_B=(mu_0I_1I_2)/(2pi) lnx]_a^(a+b) hatj`
`(mu_0I_1I_2)/(2pi) ln(1+b/a)hatj`
The force on wire (2) points in the positive y-direction, as indi-
cated by the unit vector `hatj` and as shown in the figure.