Question

A current I₁ carrying wire AB is placed near another long wire CD carrying current I₂. If wire AB is free to move, it will have

(a) rotational motion only

(b) translational motion only

(c) rotational as well as translational motion 

(d) neither rotational nor translational motion

Answer 1

Correct option  (c) rotational as well as translational motion

Explanation:

 Since the magnetic field. due to current through wire CD at various locations on wire  AB is not uniform, therefore, the wire AB, carrying current  I₁ is subjected to variable magnetic field due to which, neither the force nor the torque on the wire AB will be zero. As a result of which the wire AB  will have both translational and rotational motions.