Parallel wires exert magnetic forces on each other. What about perpendicular wires? Imagine two wires oriented perpendicular to each other and almost touching. Each wire carries a current. Is there a force between the wires?

No force is generated

Explanation:

Solution:-

- The reason that current carrying parallel wires exert forces between them is that the magnetic field of the one is perpendicular to the velocity of the electrons in the other one (current = moving electrons).

- The magnetic force Fm is given by the cross product of velocity vector (v) and strength of magnetic field (B):

                                      Fm = q* ( v x B ).

- In perpendicular (current carrying) wires, the magnetic field of one wire is in parallel with the velocity of the electrons in the other one, and, thus, no force is generated.

                                     Fm = q * // ( v x B )

                                            = q * ( 0 ) = 0

- The cross product of parallel vectors is zero.