A straight conductor of fixed length carries a steady current inside a uniform…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Moving Charges and Magnetism · Moving Charges and Magnetism
Problem
A straight conductor of fixed length L carries a steady current I inside a uniform magnetic field of constant magnitude B. The conductor is slowly rotated in the field so that the angle θ between its length and the magnetic field increases from 0∘ to 360∘.
(a) Draw a qualitative graph showing the expected variation of the magnitude of the magnetic force F on the conductor with the angle θ over one complete revolution (0∘ to 360∘).
(b) Mark on the graph the angles at which the force is zero and the angles at which it attains its maximum value. Write these angle values clearly.
(c) Explain physically, using suitable reasoning, why the force becomes zero at the angles you have marked and why it becomes maximum at the indicated angles.