Question

Describe an activity to show that a current carrying conductor, placed in an external magnetic field experiences a force.

Hint:

Use aluminum rod, horseshoe magnet, battery. Current-carrying rod in magnetic field moves. Reverse current or magnetic field \(\Rightarrow\) reverse force direction. Fleming's Left Hand Rule gives force direction.

Answer 1

Activity to Show that a Current Carrying Conductor Placed in an External Magnetic Field Experiences a Force:

This activity demonstrates the motor effect, which states that a current-carrying conductor placed in a magnetic field experiences a force.

Materials Required:

– A strong horseshoe magnet
– A straight copper wire (conductor)
– A battery (cell)
– A key (switch)
– Connecting wires

Procedure:

1. Place the horseshoe magnet on a table so that its north and south poles face each other, creating a uniform magnetic field between them.
2. Suspend a straight copper wire between the two poles of the magnet so that it is free to move. The wire should be placed perpendicular to the magnetic field.
3. Connect the ends of the wire to a battery through a key (switch).
4. Close the key to allow current to pass through the conductor.

Observation:

– As soon as the current flows, the wire moves or gets deflected.
– If the direction of current is reversed, the direction of movement of the wire also reverses.
– If the direction of magnetic field is reversed, the direction of motion again reverses.

Explanation:

When current flows through the conductor, it produces its own magnetic field. This interacts with the external magnetic field of the magnet. As a result of this interaction, a force acts on the conductor, causing it to move.

The direction of the force is given by Fleming’s Left-Hand Rule.

Conclusion:
The movement of the conductor when current flows through it proves that a current-carrying conductor placed in an external magnetic field experiences a force.