Past exam of the optics and electrodynamics course of the University of Cambridge / 2022 / Section B / 6 / c / Solution

The infinitely long filaments have no finite total force; the meaningful result is force per unit length in the laboratory. Evaluate only A's field at B, excluding B's singular self-field. B is at $y=0,z=-d/2$, so defineIn both cases A moves at $+v\hat{\mathbf{x}}$, hence at BFor a filament with linear charge density ${\lambda }_B$ and convective electric current $I_B$, the Lorentz force per laboratory length isIn Case 1, ${\lambda }_B=\gamma \eta$ and $I_B=\gamma \eta v$. Electric repulsion and magnetic attraction givesoThe cancellation uses ${\gamma }^2(1-{\beta }^2)=1$. In Case 2, B is stationary, ${\lambda }_B=\eta$ and $I_B=0$, givingBoth results have units $\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{m}}^{-1}$ and are repulsive, away from A, irrespective of the common sign of $\eta$. In Case 1 the velocity independence of force per laboratory length does not violate the transverse force transformation: a material segment of proper length ${\ell }_0$ occupies laboratory length ${\ell }_0/\gamma$, so its force is the rest-frame force divided by $\gamma$. The calculation interprets the stated $\eta$ as each filament's final proper density; holding a laboratory density fixed during acceleration would be a different preparation.