Final answer:
The magnetic field produced by an electric current will change direction when the direction of the electric current changes, determined by the right-hand rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The direction of the magnetic field produced by an electric current will change when the direction of the electric current changes. According to the right-hand rule, if you orient your right-hand thumb in the direction of the current, your fingers will curl in the direction of the magnetic field lines, which form concentric circles around the wire. When the direction of the electric current is reversed, your thumb will point in the opposite direction, and consequently, the direction that your fingers curl, representing the magnetic field, will also reverse direction. It's important to note that the strength of the magnetic field decreases as the distance from the wire increases, with the field lines spacing out more as you move farther away from the wire.