Chapter 27, Problem 83PP

Clever farmers with power lines crossing their land have been known to steal power by stringing wire near the power line and making use of the induced current. At least one such crime went to court and resulted in a conviction—despite the defense’s claim that the defendant didn’t touch the lines. Figure 27.42 shows a possible crime scene, with a rectangular wire loop mounted in a vertical plane beneath a power line. The power line carries a current of 10⁴ A, alternating sinusoidally at 60 Hz.

FIGURE 27.42 Crime scene for Passage Problems 80–83

When this crime occurs,

1. a. more fuel must be consumed at the power plant supplying the line.
2. b. the power company does not suffer any economic damage.
3. c. the power company can’t determine that it’s being robbed without an on-site inspection.
4. d. there’s no power left for customers further down the line.