Two long straight parallel conductors carrying currents I 1 and I 2 are separated by a distance d. If the currents are flowing in the same direction, show how the magnetic field produced by one exerts an attractive force on the other. Obtain the expression for this force and hence define 1 ampere.
Answer:
Diagram
Derivation
The ampere is the value of that steady current which, when maintained in each of the two very long, straight, parallel conductors of negligible cross-section, and placed one metre apart in vacuum, would exert on each of these conductors a force equal to 2 × 10–7newtons per metre of length .
