Question

The wire in the figure carries a current I that is decreasing with time at a constant rate. The wire and the three loops are all in the same plane. What is true about the currents induced in each of the three loops shown?

A. No current is induced in any loop.
B. The currents are counterclockwise in all three loops.
C. The currents are clockwise in all three loops.
D. Loop A has clockwise current, loop B has no induced current, and loop C has counterclockwise current.
E. Loop A has counterclockwise current, loop B has no induced current, and loop C has clockwise current.

Answer 1

The induced currents in the loops are opposite to the original current in the wire, resulting in loop A having counterclockwise current, loop B having no induced current, and loop C having clockwise current.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this situation, as the current in the wire is decreasing with time at a constant rate, an induced current is generated in the loops due to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction.

The direction of the induced current in each loop can be determined using Lenz's law.

According to Lenz's law, the induced current flows in a direction that opposes the change that caused it.

Since the current in the wire is decreasing, the induced currents in the three loops will be in the opposite direction to the flow of the original current.

Therefore, the correct answer is Choice E: Loop A has counterclockwise current, loop B has no induced current, and loop C has clockwise current.