Document Type

Article - Open Access

Publication Title

European Journal of Physics

Publisher

European Physical Society

Publication Date

5-2018

Abstract/ Summary

In this work we demonstrate how to apply Ampere's law to a non-infinite wire that is a part of a complete circuit with a steady current. We show that this can be done by considering the magnetic field from the whole circuit, without having to directly introduce the displacement current. This example can be used to isolate and clarify students' confusion about the application of Ampere's law to a short wire. The second part of this work focuses on the application of Ampere's law to a non-relativistic moving charge. It exposes the students to the Dirac delta function in a physical example and guides them to finding the magnetic field of a moving charge in a reasonable way.

Publisher Statement

© 2018 European Physical Society

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