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Unit 12: Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism

Magnetic Fields of Current-Carrying Wires

Use the Biot-Savart law to find the magnetic field of wires, arcs and loops, and calculate the force a magnetic field exerts on a current-carrying wire.

Topic 12.3 · 11 min read

This lesson comes with the AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism plan

In this lesson

  1. 01The Biot-Savart law
  2. 02Arcs and loops: the field at the center
  3. 03A straight segment, and the long straight wire
  4. 04The force on a current-carrying wire
  5. 05Worked examples
  6. 06Where students lose points
  7. 07On the exam

The first units’ lessons are free. The plan opens every lesson, every practice question with worked solutions, your study plan and calendar, for $14.49 a month. Cancel any time.

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