Question

A current carrying conductor experiences a maximum force in a magnetic field when it is placed

• A. parallel to the magnetic field.
• B. perpendicular to the magnetic field.
• C. at an angle of ${45}^{\circ }$ to the magnetic field.
• D. at an angle of ${60}^{\circ }$ to the magnetic field.

Answer 1

The correct option is B perpendicular to the magnetic field.

We know the force $\left(F\right)$ acting on the current $\left(I\right)$ carrying wire of length $\left(L\right)$ kept in a magnetic field $\left(B\right)$ at an angle $\left(\theta \right)$ with the magnetic field is given by
$F=ILB\sin \theta$

When $\theta ={90}^{\circ }\Rightarrow \sin \theta =1=$ Maximum Value

$\Rightarrow F=ILB=$ Maximum Value

So, when the current carrying conductor is placed perpendicular to a magnetic field, it experiences the maximum force.