Published in

Offbeat Physics, p. 133-146, 2022

DOI: 10.1201/9781003187103-9

IOP Publishing, European Journal of Physics, 5(26), p. 783-790, 2005

DOI: 10.1088/0143-0807/26/5/010

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Comparing a current-carrying circular wire with polygons of equal perimeter: Magnetic field versus magnetic flux

Journal article published in 2005 by J. P. Silva, Silvestre Aj, A. J. Silvestre ORCID
This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

Full text: Download

Question mark in circle
Preprint: policy unknown
Upload
Question mark in circle
Postprint: policy unknown
Upload
Question mark in circle
Published version: policy unknown
Upload

Abstract

We compare the magnetic field at the centre and the self-magnetic flux through a current-carrying circular loop, with those obtained for current-carrying polygons with the same perimeter. As the magnetic field diverges at the position of the wires, we compare the self-fluxes utilizing several regularization procedures. The calculation is best performed utilizing the vector potential, thus highlighting its usefulness in practical applications. Our analysis answers some of the intuition challenges students face when they encounter a related simple textbook example. These results can be applied directly to the determination of mutual inductances in a variety of situations.