Question

A straight conductor is suspended horizontally with its axis perpendicular to the magnetic field of a strong horseshoe magnet. The conductor gets displaced towards the right when a steady current is passed through it. What will happen to the displacement of the conductor if:

1. Polarity of the horseshoe magnet is reversed?
2. Direction of current in the conductor is reversed?
3. Current through the conductor is increased?

Answer 1

Displacement of the conductor:

1. Reversed magnet polarity: If the polarity of the horseshoe magnet is reversed, the direction of the magnetic field reverses. As a result, the direction of the force on the conductor will also reverse, and it will be displaced towards the left.
2. Reversed current direction: If the direction of the current in the conductor is reversed, the direction of the force on the conductor will also reverse, and it will be displaced towards the left.
3. Increased current: If the current through the conductor is increased, the force on the conductor will increase proportionally (\( F = BIL \)). This will cause the displacement of the conductor to increase (it would move further to the right).