Question

What happens if you place a compass near a current carrying wire?

• A. The needle in the compass gets deflected.
• B. The needle in the compass gets charged.
• C. The needle in the compass becomes hot.
• D. The needle in the compass glows brightly.

Answer 1

The correct option is A The needle in the compass gets deflected.

Moving charges produce magnetic fields which are proportional to the current and hence a current carrying conductor produces magnetic effect around it. A current carrying wire behaves like a magnet and affects other magnets in its magnetic field. As a result, the needle in the compass gets deflected when we place a compass near a current conducting wire.