Name: An Elementary Study of Domestic Electric Circuits
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 5 min 52 s
Description: The electricity we consume is produced through electromagnetic induction at power plants. In this video, we will see the journey of electricity from the powe...

Question

Describe an activity to demonstrate the pattern of magnetic field lines around a straight conductor carrying current.

Accepted Answer

The following activity can be performed to prove that a magnetic field is produced around a current-carrying wire;

Take a battery, a variable resistance (or a rheostat), an ammeter, a plug key, connecting wires and a long straight thick copper wire and connect as shown in the figure.

Insert the thick wire through the centre, normal to the plane of rectangular cardboard. Take care that the cardboard is fixed and does not slide up or down.

Connect the copper wire vertically between the points X and Y, as shown in the figure, in series with the battery, a plug and key.

Sprinkle some iron filings uniformly on the cardboard.

Close the key so that a current flows through the wire. Ensure that the copper wire placed between the points X and Y remains vertically straight.

Gently tap the cardboard a few times. Observe the pattern of the iron filings. It will be observed that the iron filings align themselves showing a pattern of concentric circles around the copper wire.

These concentric circles represent the magnetic field lines.

Describe an activity to demonstrate the pattern of magnetic field lines around a straight conductor carrying current.

Important Questions on Magnetic Effects of Electric Current

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