We illustrate the role of magnetic forces in lifting a current-carrying wire by discussing the various forces acting on the positive ions and the electrons that compose the wire.

1.
E. P.
Mosca
, “
Magnetic forces doing work?
,”
Am. J. Phys.
42
,
295
297
(
1974
).
2.
D. J.
Griffiths
,
Introduction to Electrodynamics
, 3rd ed. (
Prentice-Hall
,
Upper Saddle River, NJ
,
1999
).
3.
Physics Forums, ⟨www.physicsforums.com⟩.
4.
R. J.
Deissler
, “
Dipole in a magnetic field, work, and quantum spin
,”
Phys. Rev. E
77
,
036609
-1–10 (
2008
).
5.
W. R.
McKinnon
,
S. P.
McAlister
, and
C. M.
Hurd
, “
Origin of the force on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field
,”
Am. J. Phys.
49
(
5
),
493
494
(
1981
).
6.
Denise C.
Gabuzda
, “
Magnetic force due to a current-carrying wire: A paradox and its resolution
,”
Am. J. Phys.
55
(
5
),
420
422
(
1987
).
7.
A. C.
English
, “
Force on a wire in a magnetic field
,”
Am. J. Phys.
35
,
326
327
(
1967
).
8.
R. W.
Chabay
and
B. A.
Sherwood
,
Electric and Magnetic Interactions
,
Matter and Interactions
Vol.
2
, 3rd ed. (
Wiley
,
Hoboken, NJ
,
2010
).
AAPT members receive access to the American Journal of Physics and The Physics Teacher as a member benefit. To learn more about this member benefit and becoming an AAPT member, visit the Joining AAPT page.