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Do magnetic forces obey Newton’s third law. Verify for two current elements dl_1 = dl i located at the origin and dl_2 = dl j located at(0, R, 0). Both carry current I.

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To solve the problem, we need to determine the magnetic field’s direction caused by one wire at the point on other wire, then calculate the magnetic force on the current-carrying wire.

As according to Biot-Savart’s law, idl is the current-carrying element along the direction of the flow, and magnetic field B is parallel to idl \times r.

The direction of the magnetic field is given by B || idl \times r or i \times j (because point (0, R, 0) lies ony-axis), but i \times j = k which is present at idl _{2} and located at located at (0, R, 0) due to the wire dlx.

This makes the direction the magnetic field along z-direction at dl _{2}.

And the magnetic field present at dl2 due to the magnetic field of first wire has its direction in the x-axis.

F-i(l \times B), i.e., F||(i \times k) or along – j direction.

Therefore, it makes the forces present due to dl[ on dl _{2} is non-zero.

Now, to find he direction of the magnetic field at dx due to the d_{2} wire located at (0, 0, 0) is calculated by the relationB||idl \times r or j \times -j(because origin lies on y-direction with respect to the point (0, R, 0), but j \times - j = 0.

 This implies that there is no magnetic field present at dx.

Hence, force due to dl _{2} on dl_{1}, is zero.

So,Newton’s third law is not followed by the magnetic forces. But in case of current carrying elements present parallel to each other they will follow Newton’s third law.

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