A straight horizontal wire lies along the west–east line in a laboratory where a…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Magnetism and Electromagnetism · Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Problem
A straight horizontal wire lies along the west–east line in a laboratory where a uniform magnetic field exists.
(a) If the magnetic field is directed vertically upward and the wire carries a direct current from west to east, identify the compass direction in which the wire tends to move. Justify your answer.
(b) What change, if any, will occur in the direction of the force if the current in the wire is reversed while the magnetic field remains unchanged? Explain briefly.
(c) What change, if any, will occur in the direction of the force if instead the current remains from west to east but the magnetic field is reversed (directed vertically downward)? Explain briefly.