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This activity demonstrates the force due to a magnetic field acting on a current-carrying conductor.
Steps:
- Take a small aluminium rod of about \(5\ cm\) and name its ends as A and B. Using two connecting wires, hang it horizontally from a stand, as shown in the below figure.
A current-carrying rod
- Locate a strong horseshoe magnet so that the rod rests between the two poles with the magnetic field directed upwards. For this, put the magnet's north pole vertically below and the south pole vertically above the aluminium rod (as shown in the figure).
- The aluminium rod, battery, key and rheostat are connected in series (as shown in the figure).
- Now allow a current flow through the aluminium rod from end B to end A.
What do you see?
It is seen that the rod is .
- Reverse the direction of current flowing through the rod (end A to B) and notice the direction of its displacement.
The rod is now .
Why does the rod get displaced?
The displacement of the aluminium rod suggests that a when it is placed in a magnetic field. It also shows that when the direction of the current through the conductor is reversed, the direction of force is .
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