Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement (I): When currents vary with time, Newton’s third law is valid only if momentum carried by the electromagnetic field is taken into account.
Statement (II): Ampere’s circuital law does not depend on Biot-Savart’s law.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. Both Statement I and Statement II are false.
• B. Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
• C. Statement I is false but Statement II is true.
• D. Both Statement I and Statement II are true.

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Statement I is true but Statement II is false.

Answer 2

Explanation:

1. Statement I: Newton’s third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When currents vary with time, the electromagnetic fields also carry momentum. For Newton’s third law to hold in such cases, this momentum must be included in the analysis. Hence, Statement I is true.
2. Statement II: Ampere’s circuital law is an independent law that relates the magnetic field around a closed loop to the electric current passing through the loop. It does not depend on Biot-Savart’s law, which describes the magnetic field generated by a current element. Hence, Statement II is false.

Conclusion: Statement I is true but Statement II is false.