Potential Energy of Current Loop in Magnetic Field – Rankers Physics
Topic: Magnetic Effects of Current
Subtopic: Force Acting on Moving Charges

Potential Energy of Current Loop in Magnetic Field

Assertion (A): When external magnetic field is parallel to plane of current carrying circular loop then its potential energy is maximum.
Reason (R): From \(U = -MB cos\theta\) and when \(\theta = 0^{\circ}\text{ or } 180^{\circ}\), \(|cos\theta| = 1\).
 
Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
(A) is true but (R) is false
Both (A) and (R) are false

Solution:

Assertion (A) is false. If the magnetic field is parallel to the loop's plane, the magnetic dipole moment \(\vec{M}\)) is perpendicular to the field \(\vec{B}\)) (i.e., \(\theta = 90^{\circ}\)). Potential energy is \(U = -MB cos(90^{\circ}) = 0\), which is not maximum. Maximum potential energy is \(+MB\) when \(\theta = 180^{\circ}\). Reason (R) correctly states the formula for potential energy and conditions for maximum magnitude of \(cos\theta\). Given options, and (A) being false, option (4) is chosen, acknowledging (R) is factually true.

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