Ampere’s Circuital Law: What is it?

💡
Key learnings:
  • Ampere’s Circuital Law Definition: Ampere’s Circuital Law is defined as the relationship between electric current and the magnetic field it generates.
  • Magnetic Field Density Integral: The integral of magnetic field density (B) along a closed path is equal to the product of the enclosed current and the medium’s permeability.
  • Magnetic Field Intensity: The integral of magnetic field intensity (H) along a closed path is equal to the enclosed current.
  • Amperian Loop: An amperian loop is an imaginary loop used to visualize the path around a current-carrying conductor.
  • Multiple Conductors: The law applies to the sum of currents enclosed by the path when there are multiple conductors.

Ampere’s Circuital Law states the relationship between the current and the magnetic field created by it.

Ampere's Circuital Law

This law states that the integral of magnetic field density (B) along an imaginary closed path is equal to the product of current enclosed by the path and permeability of the medium.

James Clerk Maxwell

James Clerk Maxwell had derived that.
Alternatively, the law states that the integral of the magnetic field intensity (H) along an imaginary closed path equals the enclosed current.

Let us take an electrical conductor, carrying a current of I ampere, downward as shown in the figure below.

Imagine a loop around the conductor, known as an amperian loop.

Let us also imagine the radius of the loop is r and the flux density created at any point on the loop due to current through the conductor is B.

Let us consider an infinitesimal length dl of the amperian loop at the same point.

At each point on the amperian loop, the value of B is constant since the perpendicular distance of that point from the axis of conductor is fixed, but the direction will be along the tangent on the loop at that point.

The close integral of the magnetic field density B along the amperian loop, will be,


Now, according to Ampere’s Circuital Law

Therefore,

Instead of one current carrying conductor, there are N number of conductors carrying same current I, enclosed by the path, then

Want To Learn Faster? 🎓
Get electrical articles delivered to your inbox every week.
No credit card required—it’s 100% free.

About Electrical4U

Electrical4U is dedicated to the teaching and sharing of all things related to electrical and electronics engineering.

2 thoughts on “Ampere’s Circuital Law: What is it?”

Leave a Comment