Experimental Measurement of Mechanical Forces in Electric Circuits

This paper presents a simple laboratory method of measuring the mechanical forces exerted on the parts of a complete circuit due to current flowing in the circuit. Tests, using the method, show that the ``classic'' methods of computing such forces are reliable. Curves are included which show the comparison between the theoretical and measured forces. Tests were made on a rectangular circuit, representing a disconnecting switch, and on a circle of round wire.