Final answer:
The force between two parallel wires is perpendicular to the wires. Wires with currents in the same direction attract, while wires with currents in opposite directions repel, as described by the right-hand rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The force between two parallel wires carrying electric currents is either attractive or repulsive, depending on the directions of the currents. If the currents are moving in the same direction, the wires will attract each other due to the creation of opposite magnetic poles on the facing sides of the wires.
Conversely, if the currents are in opposite directions, the wires will repel each other as like magnetic poles are created on the facing sides of the wires. This is explained by the right-hand rule, which allows us to determine the direction of the resulting magnetic force exerted on each other by two current-carrying wires. Therefore, the forces are perpendicular to the direction of the current in the wires, and the behavior of the wires—whether they attract or repel each other—is consistent with the orientation of magnetic forces and fields generated by the flowing currents.