Two hikers are reading a compass under an overhead transmission line that is 6.4

Question

Two hikers are reading a compass under an overhead transmission line that is 6.40 m above the ground and carries a current of 0.850 kA in a horizontal direction from north to south.

1) Find the magnitude of the magnetic field at a point on the ground directly under the transmission line.
2) Where is the magnetic field directed at a point on the ground directly under the transmission line.
3) One hiker suggests that they walk 50.0 m away from the lines to avoid inaccurate compass readings due to the current. Considering that the earth's magnetic field is on the order of 5.00

Explanation / Answer

1) use B=mu0*I/2pir

mu is a constant =4pi*10^-7

in your problem:

I is your current, given in kiloAmps, we want Amps =850 Amps

r is given to you in correct units= 6.40

B=(4pi*10^-7)(850)/2pi(6.4)

B=2.66*10^-5

2) Current is moving north to south, use the right hand rule. Field is pointing east.

3) The field strength is comparable to the Earth's so YES it would.

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