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Magnetic Field at the Centre of a Circular Coil | Circular Current loop as a Magnetic Dipole

The magnetic field at the centre of a circular coil of radius r carrying current I with N turns is B = μ₀NI / 2r. This result follows from Biot-Savart's law, where every current element is perpendicular to the radial vector, making sinθ = 1 throughout the loop integration.
Magnetic Field at the Centre of a Circular Coil | Circular Current loop as a Magnetic Dipole

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Here we will study about the Magnetic Field at the Centre of a Circular Coil. Here we will study about the number of cases

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Magnetic Field at the Center of a Circular Current-Carrying Coil

Consider a circular coil of radius r through which current I is flowing. Let AB be an infinitesimally small element of length d\ell. According to Biot-Savart's law, the magnetic field dB at the center P of the loop due to this small element d $\ell$ is
                                                            Magnetic Field at the Centre of a Circular Coil
$\mathrm{dB}=\frac{\mu_{0}}{4 \pi} \frac{\mathrm{Id} \ell \sin \theta}{r^{2}}$ where $\theta$ is the angle between $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{d} \ell}$ and $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{r}}$.

$\left.\therefore \quad \mathrm{dB}=\frac{\mu_{0}}{4 \pi} \frac{\mathrm{I} d \ell \sin 90^{\circ}}{r^{2}}=\frac{\mu_{0}}{4 \pi} \frac{\mathrm{I} d \ell}{\mathrm{r}^{2}} \quad \text { (for circular loop, } \theta=90^{\circ}\right)$

The loop can be supposed to consists of a number of small elements placed side by side. The magnetic field due to all the elements will be in the same direction. So, the net magnetic field at P is given by

                                                            Magnetic Field at the Centre of a Circular Coil

$\mathrm{B}=\sum \mathrm{dB}=\sum \frac{\mu_{0}}{4 \pi} \frac{\mathrm{I} \mathrm{d} \ell}{\mathrm{r}^{2}}=\frac{\mu_{0} \mathrm{I}}{4 \pi \mathrm{r}^{2}} \sum \mathrm{d} \ell$

$\therefore \quad \mathrm{B}=\frac{\mu_{0} \mathrm{I}}{4 \pi r^{2}} \times 2 \pi r$
                                            $| \Sigma \mathrm{d} \ell=\text { circumference of the circle }=2 \pi \mathrm{r})$

         

Magnetic Field due to part of the current-carrying circular conductor (Arc) :

 



Magnetic Field due to part of the current-carrying circular conductor $B=\frac{\mu_{0} I}{4 \pi r^{2}} \sum d \ell\left(\because \frac{\sum d \ell}{r}=\alpha\right)$

$B=\frac{\mu_{0} I}{4 \pi r} \alpha$

Magnetic Field on the Axis of a Circular Coil

Consider a circular loop of radius a through which current I is flowing as shown in fig. The point $P$ lies on the axis of the circular current loop i.e., along the line perpendicular to the plane of the loop and passing through its center.

Let $x$ be the distance of the observation point $P$ from the centre 0 of the loop. Let us consider an infinitesimally small element $\mathrm{AB}$ of length d\ell. Radius of the loop $=\mathrm{a}$ According to Biot-Savart's law, the magnetic field at P due to this small element

$\begin{aligned} \overrightarrow{\mathrm{dB}} &=\frac{\mu_{0} \mathrm{I}}{4 \pi r^{3}}[\overrightarrow{\mathrm{d}} \ell \times \overrightarrow{\mathrm{r}}] \\ \mathrm{dB} &=\frac{\mu_{0} \mathrm{I} \mathrm{d} \ell \sin \theta}{4 \pi \mathrm{r}^{2}} \end{aligned}$


Magnetic Field at the Centre of a Circular Coil or $\quad \mathrm{dB}=\frac{\mu_{0} \mathrm{I} \mathrm{d} \ell}{4 \pi \mathrm{r}^{2}}\left(\theta=90^{\circ}\right)$

The direction of $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{dB}}$ is perpendicular to the plane of the current element $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{d} \ell}$ and $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{r}}(\mathrm{CP})$ as shown in fig. by $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{PM}}$

Similarly, if we consider another small element just diametrically opposite to this element then

magnetic field due to this at point $P$ is $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{dB}^{\prime}},$ denoted by PN and of the same magnitude. $\mathrm{d} \mathrm{B}=\mathrm{dB}^{\prime}$

Both $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{dB}}$ and $\overrightarrow{\mathrm{dB}^{\prime}}$ can be resolved into two mutually perpendicular components along $\mathrm{PX}$ and $\mathrm{zz}$ :

The components along ZZ' [dB $\cos \alpha$ and $\left.d B^{\prime} \cos \alpha\right]$ cancel each other as they are equal and opposite in direction.

The same will hold for such other pairs of current elements. over the entire circumference of the loop.

Therefore, due to the various current elements, the components of the magnetic field is only along PX will contribute to the magnetic field due to the whole loop at point P.



The magnetic dipole moment of the current loop

The current loop can be regarded as a magnetic dipole that produces its magnetic field, and the magnetic dipole moment of the current loop is equal to the product of ampere-turns and area of the current loop. We can write

Case II: If the observation point is far, far away from the coil, then $a<. So, $a^{2}$ can be neglected in comparison to $x^{2}$.

$\therefore \quad B=\frac{\mu_{0} N I a^{2}}{2 x^{3}}$

terms of magnetic dipole moment, $\mathrm{B}=\frac{\mu_{0}}{4 \pi} \frac{2 \mathrm{M}}{\mathrm{x}^{3}} \quad\left[\mathrm{B}=\frac{\mu_{0}}{2 \pi} \frac{\mathrm{NIA}}{\mathrm{x}^{3}}=\frac{\mu_{0}}{4 \pi} \frac{2 \mathrm{NIA}}{\mathrm{x}^{3}}\right]$
Also Read: Biot-Savart's Law
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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions.

Why do the transverse components of the magnetic field cancel on the axis?

very current element on one side of the loop has a diametrically opposite element. The transverse components of dB from these two elements are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction, so they cancel exactly. Only the axial components (dB sin φ) add up, giving a net field directed along the axis.

What is the formula for magnetic field on the axis of a circular coil?

The magnetic field at axial distance x from the centre of a circular coil of radius a and N turns is B = μ₀NIa² / 2(a² + x²)^(3/2). At the centre (x = 0) this reduces to μ₀NI/2a. Far from the coil (x >> a) it reduces to the magnetic dipole expression μ₀NIA / 2πx³

What is the magnetic field at the centre of a circular coil?

The magnetic field at the centre of a circular coil of radius r with N turns carrying current I is B = μ₀NI / 2r. This is derived using Biot-Savart's law, where every current element is tangential to the loop, making the angle between dℓ and r equal to 90°. The field direction is along the coil's axis.

What is the magnetic field due to a semicircular current-carrying wire at its centre?

For a semicircular wire of radius r carrying current I, the angle α = π radians. Using the arc formula B = μ₀Iα/4πr, the field at the centre is B = μ₀I/4r. The straight portions of the wire (if the leads pass through the centre) contribute zero field at the centre because dℓ and r are parallel (sinθ = 0) along those segments.

How is a circular current loop similar to a bar magnet?

A circular current loop produces a dipolar magnetic field pattern that is identical in form to that of a bar magnet. The face through which magnetic field lines emerge acts as the north pole and the other face as the south pole. Far from the loop, the axial field B = μ₀M/2πx³ mirrors the field of a magnetic dipole, making the analogy exact in the far-field limit.

What is the magnetic dipole moment of a current loop and what are its units?

The magnetic dipole moment of a current loop is M = NIA, where N is the number of turns, I is the current, and A is the area of the loop. Its SI unit is A·m² (ampere-metre squared), also written as J/T. It is a vector quantity directed along the axis of the loop by the right-hand rule

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