forces between two parallel conductors (1 Viewer)

[shkspeare]

ok heres a small question... sorry if it sound stupid =\

say u have two parallel conductors, current flowing in the same way and the magnetic field going into the page [look at attachment]


if u use the right hand palm rule the two forces dont appear to attract ?

in the textbooks they give examples with one conductor's magnetic field going into the page and the other going out of the page.. so that the forces appear to attract

is there a reason for why one of the currents go into the page and one goes out of the page?

 

[Xayma]

You dont need an external magnetic field for two parallel conductors. They create their own. Their own one goes in a circle (remember the right-hand grip rule?).

Imagine the following, (current in the same direction)

x | . x | .
x | . x | .
x | . x | .

Pretty dodgy art but as you can see when one of the magnetic fields is coming out of the page next to it is coming in. Hence they are unlike and attract

 

[shkspeare]

oh crap... misconception by me.. thx a lot !

 

[The Bograt]

Lucky this thread is here I just learnt it also
Thanks!