Magnetic Force on Current-Carrying Wire Calculator

Calculate the magnetic force acting on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field using F = BIL sin(α)

Calculate Magnetic Force

Strength of the magnetic field

Electric current flowing through the wire

Length of the wire segment in the magnetic field

Angle between current direction and magnetic field

Magnetic Force Results

0.000e+0 N
Magnetic Force
0.000e+0 N/m
Force per Unit Length
0.000e+0 N
Maximum Force (α = 90°)
0.0%
Force Efficiency

Formula used: F = B × I × L × sin(α)

Input values: B = 0.000e+0 T, I = 0.000 A, L = 0.000 m, α = 90°

Direction: Force is perpendicular to both current and magnetic field (right-hand rule)

Force Analysis

Example Calculation

Electric Motor Wire Example

Magnetic Field (B): 0.5 T (typical motor field)

Current (I): 10 A (motor operating current)

Wire Length (L): 0.2 m (active conductor length)

Angle (α): 90° (perpendicular orientation)

Calculation

F = B × I × L × sin(α)

F = 0.5 T × 10 A × 0.2 m × sin(90°)

F = 0.5 × 10 × 0.2 × 1

F = 1.0 N

Key Concepts

F

Magnetic Force

Force perpendicular to both current and magnetic field

B

Magnetic Field

Magnetic flux density (Tesla)

I

Current

Electric current through wire (Amperes)

L

Length

Length of wire in magnetic field

Applications

Electric motors and generators

🔬

Mass spectrometers

🚄

Maglev trains and linear motors

🎵

Loudspeakers and microphones

Electromagnetic relays

🔧

Electromagnetic brakes

Understanding Magnetic Force on Current-Carrying Wires

What is Magnetic Force?

When a current-carrying wire is placed in a magnetic field, each moving electron experiences the Lorentz force. The cumulative effect of all these individual forces results in a net force on the wire itself, known as the magnetic force or Ampère force.

Physical Principles

  • Force is always perpendicular to both current and magnetic field
  • Direction determined by right-hand rule
  • Maximum force when current and field are perpendicular
  • Zero force when current and field are parallel

Formula Explanation

F = B × I × L × sin(α)

  • F: Magnetic force (Newtons)
  • B: Magnetic flux density (Tesla)
  • I: Electric current (Amperes)
  • L: Length of conductor (meters)
  • α: Angle between current and magnetic field

Right-Hand Rule: Point fingers in current direction, curl towards magnetic field direction, thumb points in force direction.