Question

By using the given experimental set-up, how can it be shown that:
A force is exerted on the current-carrying conductor AB when it is placed in a magnetic field.
The direction of the force can be reversed in two ways.

Hint:

The direction of force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field can be reversed by changing either the direction of the current or the magnetic field.

Answer 1

(a) Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor: A simple setup (as depicted in the figure) demonstrates the force acting on conductor AB. A magnet (with N and S poles) provides the magnetic field, and a current flows through conductor AB. Placing a current-carrying conductor within a magnetic field results in a force, arising from the interaction between the conductor's current and the magnetic field. This force is calculated using: \[ F = BIL \sin \theta \] where:
\( F \) represents the force on the conductor,
\( B \) signifies the magnetic field strength,
\( I \) denotes the current in the conductor,
\( L \) is the length of the conductor within the magnetic field,
\( \theta \) is the angle between the magnetic field and the current's direction.
(b) Force Direction Reversal: The force's direction on the conductor can be inverted by either:
1. Reversing the current's direction in conductor AB. 
2. Reversing the magnetic field's direction (by swapping the magnet's poles).