PDF chapter test TRY NOW
In the previous section, we did an activity to find the direction of the magnetic field associated with a current-carrying conductor.
In this session, we will learn a convenient way of finding the direction of the magnetic field associated with a current-carrying conductor.
In this session, we will learn a convenient way of finding the direction of the magnetic field associated with a current-carrying conductor.
Right-Hand Thumb rule:
Assume that you are holding a current-carrying straight conductor in your right hand such that the thumb points towards the direction of the current. Then your fingers will wrap around the conductor in the direction of the field lines of the magnetic field, as shown in the figure. This is known as the right-hand thumb rule.
Right-Hand Thumb rule
If the current flow in an upward direction, then the direction of the field lines will be anticlockwise.
If the current flows in a downward direction, then the direction of the field lines will be clockwise.
This rule is also called Maxwell's corkscrew rule.
Maxwell's corkscrew rule:
Let us assume we drive a corkscrew in the current direction, then the corkscrew's direction is the direction of the magnetic field.
Maxwell's corkscrew rule
When we turn a corkscrew from right to left (clockwise), it goes into the cork. Then,
Current direction - downward,
Magnetic field direction - clockwise
It is a device for pulling corks from bottles, consisting of a spiral metal rod inserted into the cork and a handle that extracts it.
Summary:
| Direction of current flow | Direction of Magnetic field |
|
Downwards (top to bottom)
|
Clockwise
|
|
Upwards (bottom to top)
|
Anticlockwise
|
Reference:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Long-wire-right-hand-rule.svg;
Register for free to see more content