Question

A magnetic field points north and a wire has a current moving east. Which direction does the magnetic force on the wire point? (multiple choice)

A)Down
B)East
C)There is no force on the wire.
D)Up
E)South
F) North
G)West

Answer 1

The magnetic force on the wire points up or north.

Step-by-step explanation:

The direction of the magnetic force on a wire can be determined using the right-hand rule. In this case, the wire is oriented east-west and the magnetic field points north-south. To find the direction of the magnetic force, you would point your right thumb in the direction of the current (east) and curl your fingers towards the magnetic field (north). The direction your fingers point represents the direction of the magnetic force, which in this case would be up or north.

According to the right-hand rule, the thumb represents the direction of current flow, the fingers show the direction of the magnetic field, and the palm indicates the direction of the force experienced by a positively charged particle (in this case, the current). Given that the current flows east and the magnetic field points north, by orienting the right hand accordingly, the palm will face downwards. Hence, the wire will experience a magnetic force in the downward direction.