Final answer:
The maximum force on a conductor carrying a current in a magnetic field is determined by the equation F = I * L * B * sin(θ). Substituting the provided values, the maximum force is calculated to be 0.8 N, with the correct option being D.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question revolves around calculating the maximum force exerted on a conductor carrying a current within a magnetic field. This is a classical physics problem involving the interaction of electricity and magnetism, specifically the Lorentz force on a current-carrying conductor. The equation to determine the force (F) on a wire with current (I) in a magnetic field is given by F = I * L * B * sin(θ), where L is the length of the wire, B is the magnetic flux density, and θ is the angle between the wire and the magnetic field. Since the problem asks for the maximum force, we assume that sin(θ) is equal to 1 (θ=90°), which allows the wire to experience the greatest force.
Substituting the given values, we have:
F = 0.8 A * 2 m * 0.5 T * sin(90°)
F = 0.8 N
Thus, the maximum force acting on the conductor is 0.8 N. The correct option is D.