Question

What happens to the needle of a compass if you place the compass near a current carrying wire?

• A. It gets deflected.
• B. It gets charged.
• C. It becomes hot.
• D. It glows brightly.

Answer 1

The correct option is A

It 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 of the compass gets deflected when we place a compass near a current conducting wire.