201. A circular coil and a long straight wire carry the same current \(I\). The field at the centre of a single circular loop of radius \(R\) is compared with the field at distance \(R\) from the long straight wire. The ratio \(B_{\text{loop}}:B_{\text{wire}}\) is
ⓐ. \(1:\pi\)
ⓑ. \(\pi:1\)
ⓒ. \(2:1\)
ⓓ. \(1:2\)
Correct Answer: \(\pi:1\)
Explanation: \( \textbf{Loop field at centre:} \)
\[
B_{\text{loop}}=\frac{\mu_0 I}{2R}
\]
\( \textbf{Long-wire field at distance \(R\):} \)
\[
B_{\text{wire}}=\frac{\mu_0 I}{2\pi R}
\]
\( \textbf{Ratio:} \)
\[
\frac{B_{\text{loop}}}{B_{\text{wire}}}=\frac{\mu_0 I/(2R)}{\mu_0 I/(2\pi R)}
\]
\( \textbf{Cancel common factors:} \)
\[
\frac{B_{\text{loop}}}{B_{\text{wire}}}=\pi
\]
So \(B_{\text{loop}}:B_{\text{wire}}=\pi:1\).
The two formulas look similar, but the long-wire result contains the extra factor \(\pi\) in the denominator.
\( \textbf{Final answer:} \) The ratio is \(\pi:1\).
202. Use the graph description below.
For a circular coil of fixed radius \(R\) and fixed number of turns \(N\), a graph of magnetic field at the centre \(B\) against current \(I\) is drawn.
The graph is expected to be
ⓐ. a horizontal line through a non-zero field value
ⓑ. a rectangular hyperbola with decreasing \(B\)
ⓒ. a straight line through the origin
ⓓ. a parabola opening upward
Correct Answer: a straight line through the origin
Explanation: The magnetic field at the centre of an \(N\)-turn circular coil is \(B=\frac{\mu_0 NI}{2R}\). For fixed \(N\) and \(R\), all factors except \(I\) are constant. Thus \(B\propto I\). If \(I=0\), the magnetic field due to the coil is also zero, so the graph passes through the origin. The straight-line nature shows that doubling current doubles the centre field.
203. A circular loop of radius \(R\) carries current \(I\). A second loop has radius \(2R\) and carries current \(4I\). Both are single-turn loops. The ratio of centre fields \(B_2:B_1\) is
ⓐ. \(1:2\)
ⓑ. \(2:1\)
ⓒ. \(1:1\)
ⓓ. \(4:1\)
Correct Answer: \(2:1\)
Explanation: \( \textbf{Centre-field relation:} \)
\[
B=\frac{\mu_0 I}{2R}
\]
\( \textbf{First loop:} \)
\[
B_1=\frac{\mu_0 I}{2R}
\]
\( \textbf{Second loop:} \) The current is \(4I\), and the radius is \(2R\).
\[
B_2=\frac{\mu_0(4I)}{2(2R)}
\]
\( \textbf{Simplify:} \)
\[
B_2=\frac{4\mu_0 I}{4R}=\frac{\mu_0 I}{R}
\]
\( \textbf{Compare with \(B_1\):} \)
\[
B_1=\frac{\mu_0 I}{2R}
\]
\[
\frac{B_2}{B_1}=2
\]
The current increase is stronger than the radius increase in this comparison.
\( \textbf{Final answer:} \) \(B_2:B_1=2:1\).
204. The magnetic field on the axis of a single circular current loop of radius \(R\), at a distance \(x\) from its centre, is
ⓐ. \(B=\frac{\mu_0Ix^2}{2(R^2+x^2)^{1/2}}\)
ⓑ. \(B=\frac{\mu_0I}{2\pi x}\)
ⓒ. \(B=\frac{\mu_0IR}{2(R+x)}\)
ⓓ. \(B=\frac{\mu_0IR^2}{2(R^2+x^2)^{3/2}}\)
Correct Answer: \(B=\frac{\mu_0IR^2}{2(R^2+x^2)^{3/2}}\)
Explanation: The magnetic field on the axis of a circular loop is \(B=\frac{\mu_0IR^2}{2(R^2+x^2)^{3/2}}\) for a single turn. The direction is along the axis of the loop, with sense decided by the current direction. The expression reduces to the centre-field formula when \(x=0\). The denominator contains \((R^2+x^2)^{3/2}\), which reflects the geometry from every element of the loop to the axial point. This result differs from the long-straight-wire formula because the geometry is circular and axial.
205. When the axial-field expression \(B=\frac{\mu_0IR^2}{2(R^2+x^2)^{3/2}}\) is used at the centre of the loop, the value of \(x\) is
ⓐ. \(R\)
ⓑ. \(2R\)
ⓒ. \(0\)
ⓓ. \(\frac{R}{2}\)
Correct Answer: \(0\)
Explanation: The axial distance \(x\) is measured from the centre of the circular loop along its axis. At the centre itself, the observation point is not displaced along the axis, so \(x=0\). Substituting \(x=0\) gives \(B=\frac{\mu_0IR^2}{2(R^2)^{3/2}}\). Since \((R^2)^{3/2}=R^3\), the expression becomes \(B=\frac{\mu_0I}{2R}\). This confirms that the axial-field formula includes the centre-field result as a special case.
206. For an \(N\)-turn circular coil, the magnetic field on the axis at distance \(x\) from the centre is obtained by multiplying the single-turn result by
ⓐ. \(\frac{1}{N}\)
ⓑ. \(N^2\)
ⓒ. \(N\)
ⓓ. \(\sqrt{N}\)
Correct Answer: \(N\)
Explanation: If all \(N\) turns are closely wound and carry the same current, each turn produces the same magnetic field at the axial point. The contributions are along the same axis and in the same direction. Therefore, the resultant field is \(N\) times the field of a single turn. For one turn, \(B=\frac{\mu_0IR^2}{2(R^2+x^2)^{3/2}}\). For \(N\) turns, it becomes \(B=\frac{\mu_0NIR^2}{2(R^2+x^2)^{3/2}}\).
207. Far away on the axis of a circular loop, where \(x\gg R\), the axial magnetic field approximately varies as
ⓐ. \(B\propto x\)
ⓑ. \(B\propto \frac{1}{x^3}\)
ⓒ. \(B\propto \frac{1}{x}\)
ⓓ. \(B\propto \frac{1}{x^2}\)
Correct Answer: \(B\propto \frac{1}{x^3}\)
Explanation: The axial field of a circular loop is \(B=\frac{\mu_0IR^2}{2(R^2+x^2)^{3/2}}\). Far from the loop, \(x\gg R\), so \(R^2+x^2\approx x^2\). Then \((R^2+x^2)^{3/2}\approx(x^2)^{3/2}=x^3\). The numerator \(\mu_0IR^2\) is constant for a fixed loop. Hence the far axial field varies approximately as \(\frac{1}{x^3}\), like the field pattern of a magnetic dipole along its axis.
208. Use the graph description below.
A graph of axial magnetic field \(B\) of a circular current loop is plotted against axial distance \(x\) from the centre. The current and radius are fixed, and both positive and negative values of \(x\) are considered.
The graph is symmetric about \(x=0\) because
ⓐ. \(B\) depends directly on \(x\) only
ⓑ. the field becomes zero at the centre
ⓒ. current changes direction on the two sides of the loop
ⓓ. \(B\) depends on \(x^2\) in the axial-field expression
Correct Answer: \(B\) depends on \(x^2\) in the axial-field expression
Explanation: The axial field magnitude is \(B=\frac{\mu_0IR^2}{2(R^2+x^2)^{3/2}}\). The distance variable appears as \(x^2\), so replacing \(x\) by \(-x\) gives the same magnitude. This makes the \(B\)-versus-\(x\) graph symmetric about the centre of the loop. The field is maximum at \(x=0\), not zero. The symmetry comes from the geometry of the circular loop, not from any reversal of current.
209. A circular loop of radius \(0.10\,\text{m}\) carries current \(5.0\,\text{A}\). The magnetic field is required at a point on the axis \(0.10\,\text{m}\) from the centre. Taking \(\mu_0=4\pi\times10^{-7}\,\text{T m A}^{-1}\), the field is
ⓐ. \(\frac{5\pi}{\sqrt{2}}\times10^{-6}\,\text{T}\)
ⓑ. \(\frac{25\pi}{\sqrt{2}}\times10^{-6}\,\text{T}\)
ⓒ. \(\frac{5\pi}{2\sqrt{2}}\times10^{-6}\,\text{T}\)
ⓓ. \(50\pi\times10^{-6}\,\text{T}\)
Correct Answer: \(\frac{5\pi}{\sqrt{2}}\times10^{-6}\,\text{T}\)
Explanation: \( \textbf{Given data:} \) \(R=0.10\,\text{m}\), \(x=0.10\,\text{m}\), \(I=5.0\,\text{A}\), and \(\mu_0=4\pi\times10^{-7}\,\text{T m A}^{-1}\).
\( \textbf{Axial-field relation:} \)
\[
B=\frac{\mu_0IR^2}{2(R^2+x^2)^{3/2}}
\]
\( \textbf{Square terms:} \)
\[
R^2=x^2=(0.10)^2=0.01
\]
\[
R^2+x^2=0.02=2\times10^{-2}
\]
\( \textbf{Power term:} \)
\[
(R^2+x^2)^{3/2}=(2R^2)^{3/2}=2\sqrt{2}R^3
\]
because \(x=R\).
\( \textbf{Use simplified form for \(x=R\):} \)
\[
B=\frac{\mu_0IR^2}{2(2\sqrt{2}R^3)}
\]
\[
B=\frac{\mu_0 I}{4\sqrt{2}R}
\]
\( \textbf{Substitution:} \)
\[
B=\frac{(4\pi\times10^{-7})(5.0)}{4\sqrt{2}(0.10)}
\]
\( \textbf{Simplify:} \)
\[
B=\frac{20\pi\times10^{-7}}{0.4\sqrt{2}}
\]
\[
B=\frac{50\pi\times10^{-7}}{\sqrt{2}}=\frac{5\pi\times10^{-6}}{\sqrt{2}}
\]
This calculated form corresponds to \(\frac{5\pi}{\sqrt{2}}\times10^{-6}\,\text{T}\), so the listed expression matching the substitution is selected.
\( \textbf{Final answer:} \) The magnetic field is \(\frac{5\pi}{\sqrt{2}}\times10^{-6}\,\text{T}\).
210. At a point on the axis of a circular current loop, the magnetic field is maximum when the point is
ⓐ. at \(x=0\), the centre of the loop
ⓑ. at \(x=R\), one radius from centre
ⓒ. at very large \(x\) on the axis
ⓓ. at \(x=2R\), two radii from centre
Correct Answer: at \(x=0\), the centre of the loop
Explanation: The axial magnetic field of a circular loop is \(B=\frac{\mu_0IR^2}{2(R^2+x^2)^{3/2}}\). For a fixed loop and fixed current, the numerator remains constant. The denominator is smallest when \(x=0\), which corresponds to the centre of the loop. As \(|x|\) increases, \(R^2+x^2\) increases and the magnetic field decreases. The centre is therefore the position of maximum axial field for a given circular loop.
211. A circular loop of radius \(R\) carries current \(I\). At an axial point where \(x=R\), the magnetic field is related to the field at the centre \(B_0=\frac{\mu_0 I}{2R}\) by
ⓐ. \(B=\frac{2B_0}{\sqrt{2}}\)
ⓑ. \(B=\frac{B_0}{4\sqrt{2}}\)
ⓒ. \(B=\frac{4B_0}{\sqrt{2}}\)
ⓓ. \(B=\frac{B_0}{2\sqrt{2}}\)
Correct Answer: \(B=\frac{B_0}{2\sqrt{2}}\)
Explanation: \( \textbf{Axial-field relation:} \)
\[
B=\frac{\mu_0IR^2}{2(R^2+x^2)^{3/2}}
\]
\( \textbf{At the centre:} \)
\[
B_0=\frac{\mu_0 I}{2R}
\]
\( \textbf{At \(x=R\):} \)
\[
R^2+x^2=R^2+R^2=2R^2
\]
\[
(R^2+x^2)^{3/2}=(2R^2)^{3/2}=2\sqrt{2}R^3
\]
\( \textbf{Substitution:} \)
\[
B=\frac{\mu_0IR^2}{2(2\sqrt{2}R^3)}
\]
\[
B=\frac{\mu_0 I}{4\sqrt{2}R}
\]
\( \textbf{Compare with \(B_0\):} \)
\[
B_0=\frac{\mu_0 I}{2R}
\]
\[
B=\frac{B_0}{2\sqrt{2}}
\]
The field falls because the axial point is farther from every current element than the centre.
\( \textbf{Final answer:} \) \(B=\frac{B_0}{2\sqrt{2}}\).
212. A circular loop carries current clockwise as seen from the right side of its axis. The magnetic field at the centre, as seen from that right side, is directed
ⓐ. away from the observer
ⓑ. toward the observer
ⓒ. radially outward in the plane of the loop
ⓓ. along the tangent to the loop
Correct Answer: away from the observer
Explanation: The direction of the magnetic field at the centre of a circular loop is obtained by the right-hand rule. Curl the fingers of the right hand in the direction of current. If the current appears clockwise to an observer, the thumb points away from that observer. Hence the axial magnetic field at the centre is into the page from that viewpoint. The field is axial because transverse components from opposite current elements cancel by symmetry.
213. Study the table for a circular current loop of fixed current \(I\).
| Row | Location | Field feature |
| P | At centre | \(B=\frac{\mu_0 I}{2R}\) |
| Q | On axis at \(x\) | \(B=\frac{\mu_0IR^2}{2(R^2+x^2)^{3/2}}\) |
| R | Far on axis, \(x\gg R\) | \(B\propto\frac{1}{x^3}\) |
| S | At centre | Field is tangential to the loop |
The row that gives an incorrect field feature is
ⓐ. Row S
ⓑ. Row P
ⓒ. Row Q
ⓓ. Row R
Correct Answer: Row S
Explanation: At the centre of a circular loop, the magnetic field is along the axis of the loop, not tangential to the loop. Row P gives the correct centre-field magnitude for a single turn. Row Q gives the standard axial-field expression. Row R follows from the axial formula when \(x\gg R\), because the denominator behaves like \(x^3\). Row S fails because tangential directions around the loop do not survive in the net field at the centre.
214. Ampere’s circuital law relates the line integral of magnetic field around a closed path to the current enclosed by that path. Its mathematical form is
ⓐ. \(\oint \vec{E}\cdot d\vec{l}=\mu_0 I_{\text{enc}}\)
ⓑ. \(\oint \vec{B}\cdot d\vec{l}=\mu_0 I_{\text{enc}}\)
ⓒ. \(\oint \vec{B}\times d\vec{l}=\frac{I_{\text{enc}}}{\mu_0}\)
ⓓ. \(\oint B\,dA=\mu_0 I_{\text{enc}}\)
Correct Answer: \(\oint \vec{B}\cdot d\vec{l}=\mu_0 I_{\text{enc}}\)
Explanation: Ampere’s circuital law states that the closed line integral of magnetic field around an Amperian loop equals \(\mu_0\) times the net current passing through the surface bounded by the loop. The line integral uses the dot product \(\vec{B}\cdot d\vec{l}\), so only the component of \(\vec{B}\) along the path element contributes. The current in the law is the enclosed current, not necessarily every current present nearby. The law is especially useful when symmetry makes \(\vec{B}\) constant in magnitude along a chosen path. Using area integral \(B\,dA\) would describe flux-like reasoning, not Ampere’s circuital law.
215. In applying Ampere’s circuital law to a long straight current-carrying wire, the most convenient Amperian loop is
ⓐ. a straight loop parallel to the wire
ⓑ. a square loop off-centre from the wire
ⓒ. a circular loop centred on the wire
ⓓ. an open curve placed near the wire
Correct Answer: a circular loop centred on the wire
Explanation: The magnetic field around a long straight wire forms concentric circles centred on the wire. On a circular Amperian loop centred on the wire, the magnetic field is tangential everywhere and has the same magnitude at all points of the loop. This makes \(\vec{B}\cdot d\vec{l}=B\,dl\) along the path. The closed integral then becomes \(B(2\pi r)\). Choosing a path that does not follow the symmetry makes the integral harder even though the law remains valid.
216. Ampere’s law gives the field of a long straight wire as \(B=\frac{\mu_0 I}{2\pi r}\). The factor \(2\pi r\) enters the derivation as
ⓐ. the area enclosed by the circular loop
ⓑ. the radius chosen for the wire surface
ⓒ. the circumference of the Amperian loop
ⓓ. the current enclosed by the path
Correct Answer: the circumference of the Amperian loop
Explanation: For a long straight wire, a circular Amperian loop of radius \(r\) is chosen around the wire. The magnetic field has constant magnitude on this circle and is tangent to it. Therefore, \(\oint \vec{B}\cdot d\vec{l}=B\oint dl\). The integral \(\oint dl\) around the circle is its circumference \(2\pi r\). This gives \(B(2\pi r)=\mu_0 I\), leading to \(B=\frac{\mu_0 I}{2\pi r}\).
217. A circular Amperian loop encloses two long wires carrying currents \(3\,\text{A}\) out of the page and \(5\,\text{A}\) into the page. The value of \(I_{\text{enc}}\) in Ampere’s law, taking out of the page as positive, is
ⓐ. \(+8\,\text{A}\)
ⓑ. \(+2\,\text{A}\)
ⓒ. \(-8\,\text{A}\)
ⓓ. \(-2\,\text{A}\)
Correct Answer: \(-2\,\text{A}\)
Explanation: \( \textbf{Sign convention:} \) Current out of the page is positive, so current into the page is negative.
\( \textbf{Enclosed currents:} \)
\[
I_1=+3\,\text{A}
\]
\[
I_2=-5\,\text{A}
\]
\( \textbf{Net enclosed current:} \)
\[
I_{\text{enc}}=I_1+I_2
\]
\[
I_{\text{enc}}=3-5=-2\,\text{A}
\]
Ampere’s law uses algebraic current enclosed by the loop, not the sum of magnitudes.
The negative sign indicates that the net current is into the page under the chosen convention.
\( \textbf{Final answer:} \) \(I_{\text{enc}}=-2\,\text{A}\).
218. A closed path is chosen near a long straight wire, but the wire lies outside the closed path. For that path, Ampere’s law gives
ⓐ. \(\oint \vec{B}\cdot d\vec{l}=0\)
ⓑ. \(\oint \vec{B}\cdot d\vec{l}=\mu_0 I\)
ⓒ. \(B=0\) at every point of the path
ⓓ. \(\mu_0=0\)
Correct Answer: \(\oint \vec{B}\cdot d\vec{l}=0\)
Explanation: Ampere’s circuital law involves the net current enclosed by the chosen closed path. If the current-carrying wire lies outside the path, then \(I_{\text{enc}}=0\) for that path. Therefore, \(\oint \vec{B}\cdot d\vec{l}=\mu_0 I_{\text{enc}}=0\). This does not mean the magnetic field is zero at every point on the path. It means that the signed line integral around that closed path is zero because no net current pierces the enclosed surface.
219. Consider the following statements about Ampere’s circuital law.
I. The path used in the line integral must be closed.
II. The current used is the algebraic net current enclosed by the path.
III. A zero value of \(\oint \vec{B}\cdot d\vec{l}\) always means \(\vec{B}=0\) everywhere on the path.
The correct set is
ⓐ. II and III only
ⓑ. I and II only
ⓒ. I and III only
ⓓ. I, II, and III
Correct Answer: I and II only
Explanation: Ampere’s circuital law is written for a closed path, so statement I is true. The current in the law is the algebraic enclosed current, with signs decided by the chosen orientation of the loop, so statement II is also true. Statement III is false because a line integral can be zero even when the magnetic field is non-zero at different points on the path. Contributions to the integral may cancel, or no current may be enclosed. A zero closed integral is not the same as zero magnetic field everywhere.
220. The magnetic field inside a long ideal solenoid carrying current \(I\), with \(n\) turns per unit length, is approximately
ⓐ. \(B=\frac{\mu_0 I}{2\pi r}\)
ⓑ. \(B=\frac{\mu_0 I}{2R}\)
ⓒ. \(B=\frac{\mu_0 n}{I}\)
ⓓ. \(B=\mu_0 nI\)
Correct Answer: \(B=\mu_0 nI\)
Explanation: Inside a long ideal solenoid, the magnetic field is nearly uniform and directed along the axis. The standard expression is \(B=\mu_0 nI\), where \(n\) is the number of turns per unit length and \(I\) is the current. The long-wire expression \(\frac{\mu_0 I}{2\pi r}\) applies around a straight wire, not inside a solenoid. The circular-loop centre formula applies to a single loop or coil centre, not to the uniform interior field of a long solenoid. The factor \(n\) shows that more turns per unit length strengthen the solenoid field.