Solution to 2008 Problem 38


The magnetic field produced by an infinite wire with current I is
\begin{align*}\mathbf{B} = \frac{\mu_0 I}{2 \pi s} \hat{\mathbf{s}}\end{align*}
where \hat{\mathbf{s}} is a unit vector in the azimuthal direction determine by the right-hand rule. So, the magnetic field at P due to the wire in the \hat{\mathbf{x}} direction will be out of the page, and the magnetic field at P due to the wire in the \hat{\mathbf{y}} direction will be into of the page, and both will have the same magnitude, so they will cancel. Therefore, answer (E) is correct.


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