Question

Two proton beams going in the same direction repel each other whereas two wires carrying currents in the same direction attract each other. Explain.

Answer 1

Explanation:

• We know that the like charges don’t attract each. So, when two proton beams travel in the same direction, they repel because they are like charges.
• It is to be noted that a magnetic field is applied on the charge that is in motion. When two wires carry currents in one direction, they create magnetic field in opposing directions, which results in the attractive magnetic force acting on them.
• Both the wires attract each because of the magnetic force.
• However, when the charge is resting, then it can be noted that the electric field is associated with the charge and the magnetic field is created by it.
• So, by exerting an electric force, it repels when it is at rest. Both the magnetic field and the electric field is produced by the charge in motion.
• Between the two current wires, the attractive force is created, and this is because of the magnetic field.
• The repulsive force is created because of the electric field.

Answer 2

Question:

Two proton beams going in the same direction repel each other whereas tow wires carrying currents in the same direction attract each other. Explain.

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The magnetic field is not as strong as electric field and the magnitude of magnetic field due to a moving charge only equals that of its electric field only when the velocity is equal to the speed of light. So for two protons moving in the same direction, Force due to electric field repulsion will exceed that due to magnetic field attraction. So the proton beams moving in the same direction repel each other.

But two parallel current carrying wire attract due to magnetic attraction as the electric field is inside the conductor and is shielded by it and can’t be felt outside. The magnetic attraction can be further reinforced by Fleming’s left rule by considering the magnetic field produced by one wire and electric field in the other wire in the direction of current.

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