Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2018/ib/paper-1/16c/solution

For a localized steady current, define
Assume the external field varies negligibly across the current distribution. Expanding it to first order, the uniform term gives no net force because . Using the supplied integral identity and , the first-order term in reduces to
Since , the magnetic dipole potential energy is
Here
increases away from the -axis. A dipole parallel to has energy and is drawn toward stronger field, hence outward from the axis. An antiparallel dipole has energy and is driven toward the weak-field axis. The field therefore spatially separates the two orientations.

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