Chapter 7.2, Problem 14R

To determine

To Compare: The magnetic field strength around a current-carrying wire at 0.5 cm to the field strength at 1 cm.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:The magnetic field strength decreases with increase in distance from a current-carrying wire.

If the magnetic field around a wire carrying current at a distance of 1 cm is two times strongerthan at 2 cm, it means that the magnetic field strength is twice as strong when the current-carrying wire is at half the distance. Applying the same logic, the field strength at 0.5 cm will be twice as strong as at 1 cm, because the distance is halved.

So, the ratio of field strength at 0.5 cm and 1 cm can be written as 1:2.

Conclusion:

The ratio of magnetic field strength around a current-carrying wire at 0.5 cm to the field strength at 1 cm can be written as 1:2.