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Two circular coils P and Q have radii R and 2R respectively. If they carry the same current and have the same number of turns, how does the magnetic field at the center of Q compare to that of P?
It is double
It is half
It is four times
It is one-fourth
It is half
The magnetic field at the center of a circular coil is inversely proportional to its radius. Since coil Q has double the radius of coil P (2R vs R), its magnetic field strength at the center will be half that of coil P.
The magnetic field at the center of a circular coil is inversely proportional to its radius. Since coil Q has double the radius of coil P (2R vs R), its magnetic field strength at the center will be half that of coil P.
Think of the magnetic field as a broadcast signal; just as a light source appears dimmer further away, the 'density' of the magnetic field at the center decreases as the size of the coil loop increases.
B=2R╬╝0тАЛNIтАЛ тАФ Magnetic field at the center of a circular coil
BтИЭR1тАЛ тАФ Inverse relationship between field and radius
According to the Biot-Savart Law, the magnetic field B at the center of a circular coil of N turns, radius r, and carrying current I is given by B=2r╬╝0тАЛNIтАЛ. Since I and N are identical for both coils, the relationship simplifies to BтИЭr1тАЛ. Therefore, doubling the radius r results in the magnetic field being halved.
Magnetic field is directly proportional to the number of turns N.
Magnetic field is directly proportional to the current I.
Magnetic field is inversely proportional to the radius R.
Electromagnets
Galvanometers
| Feature | Coil P | Coil Q |
|---|---|---|
Radius | R | 2R |
Magnetic Field | B | B/2 |
The constant ╬╝0тАЛ represents the permeability of free space.
Option A is incorrect because it implies direct proportionality. Option C and D involve squaring, which occurs in fields on the axis of a coil, not the center.
B is correct тАФ The magnetic field at the center of a circular coil is inversely proportional to its radius, so doubling the radius reduces the field by half.
Always verify if the question asks for the center of the coil or a point on the axis, as the axial formula B=2(R2+x2)3/2╬╝0тАЛNIR2тАЛ behaves differently.