What happens to a compass needle when placed near a current-carrying w...
When a current flows through a wire, it creates a magnetic field around it, causing a nearby compass needle to deflect from its usual north-south alignment.
What happens to a compass needle when placed near a current-carrying w...
Effect of Current on Compass Needle
When a compass needle is placed near a current-carrying wire, it experiences a change in its orientation due to the magnetic field created by the electric current. Here’s a detailed explanation of this phenomenon:
Magnetic Field Around a Wire
- A current-carrying wire generates a magnetic field around it. This field can be visualized as concentric circles surrounding the wire.
- The direction of this magnetic field can be determined using the right-hand rule: if you point your thumb in the direction of the current, your fingers will curl in the direction of the magnetic field.
Compass Needle Behavior
- The compass needle itself is a small magnet, with a north and south pole. It aligns with magnetic fields that are present in its vicinity.
- When the compass is placed near the wire, the magnetic field produced by the current interacts with the needle.
Deflection from North-South Position
- As the compass needle detects the magnetic field from the wire, it deflects from its original north-south position.
- This deflection indicates that the magnetic field created by the wire is stronger than the earth's magnetic field at that point, causing the needle to realign.
Conclusion
- In summary, the compass needle does not remain unaffected; instead, it deflects from its north-south position due to the magnetic field generated by the current-carrying wire. This effect emphasizes the relationship between electricity and magnetism, a fundamental concept in physics.
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