Question

What is Maxwell's screw rule? What is it used for?

Answer 1

Maxwell's screw rule:

1. According to Maxwell's screw rule, if a right-handed screw is turned so that it moves forwards in the same direction as the conventional current, its direction of rotation will give the direction of the magnetic field.
2. The Right-Hand Thumb rule is also known as Maxwell’s corkscrew rule. If we consider ourselves driving a corkscrew in the current direction, then the corkscrew’s direction is in the direction of the magnetic field.

Use of Maxwell's screw rule:

1. It is used to determine the direction of the magnetic field around a straight-current carrying conductor.
2. It can be used to determine the direction of the electric current in a conductor if the direction of the magnetic field lines associated with the current-carrying conductor is known.