Question

When a current carrying conductor is placed next to a fixed bar magnet, it experiences a force:

• A. In the direction of the magnetic field due to the conductor
• B. Opposite to the direction of the magnetic field due to the conductor
• C. In the vertically upward direction
• D. There is no force experienced

Answer 1

The correct option is B Opposite to the direction of the magnetic field due to the conductor

Figure 1

A current carrying conductor has magnetic field lines around it. When a magnet is brought close to the conductor, the north pole of the magnet experiences a force in the direction of the magnetic field at the point, as shown in figure 1 (above).


Figure 2

When the magnet is fixed, the wire experiences a force in the direction opposite to the direction of the magnetic field at the point as shown in figure 2 (above).