A straight conductor of variable orientation is kept wholly inside a uniform magnetic…
MATHEMATICS · Multi-part · ISC · Mathematics · Physics · Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism
Problem
A straight conductor of variable orientation is kept wholly inside a uniform magnetic field. The conductor is 0.25 m long and carries a steady current of 6 A.
Answer the following questions with proper reasoning and, where necessary, short calculations.
(a) Name the rule that predicts the direction of the mechanical force acting on the conductor when it carries current in the field.
(b) Explain why the magnitude of the force depends on the angle θ between the conductor and the magnetic field. Illustrate your explanation by commenting on the situations θ=0∘, 45∘ and 90∘.
(c) For θ=90∘, the force on the conductor is found to be 1.5N. Show, by suitable working, that this force would reduce to about 1.06N when the conductor is rotated to make 45∘ with the field.