Lesson Plan: The Magnetic Field due to a Current in a Circular Loop of Wire Physics

This lesson plan includes the objectives, prerequisites, and exclusions of the lesson teaching students how to calculate the magnetic field produced by a current in a circular loop of wire.

Objectives

Students will be able to

  • use the formula 𝐵=𝜇𝐼2𝑟 to find the magnitude of the magnetic field strength at the center of a current-carrying loop of radius 𝑟,
  • use 𝐵=𝜇𝑁𝐼2𝑟 for many loops,
  • recognize that as the radius of the loop gets larger, the magnetic field strength at the center gets weaker,
  • use the right-hand screw rule to determine the direction of the magnetic field through the loop.

Prerequisites

Students should already be familiar with

  • the idea that current-carrying wires produce magnetic fields.

Exclusions

Students will not cover

  • other geometries (e.g., straight wire, rectangular wire),
  • the vector forms of this formula.

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