7-Jul-08

Force on a conductor (qualitative) 1

U4

1. A wire, W carrying an electric current is placed between the poles of a U-shaped

magnet. The field between the poles of the magnet is illustrated in diagram. The
direction of the current in the wire is vertically upwards out of the plane of the paper
and at right angles to the field.
a) Copy the diagram and sketch the
field due to the current in the wire.
Superimpose the wire's field on
the magnet's field.

b) The current-carrying wire in the magnetic field experiences a force.

i) On your diagram draw an arrow, labelled F, showing the direction of this force.
ii) As a result of this force, the wire moves. State whether the wire moves towards a
stronger or a weaker field.
2. The diagram shows the magnetic field pattern for a current-carrying conductor placed
between the poles of a permanent magnet.
a) State the direction of the current in the
conductor.
b) Copy the diagram and mark with a cross
(X) a point between the poles of the
magnet where the magnetic field is
weakest.