Verified Solution Science Electricity: Magnetic and Heating Effects

A compass needle is placed near a straight wire. When an electric current flows through the wire from north to south, the compass needle deflects towards the east. If the current direction is reversed to flow from south to north, in which direction will the compass needle deflect?

6 views 2 helpful Updated Jun 30, 2026
Solution ✔ Verified
  • AWest
  • BEast
  • CNorth
  • DSouth
Explanation

The direction of the magnetic field produced by a current-carrying wire depends on the direction of the current. Reversing the current direction also reverses the direction of the magnetic field, hence the compass needle will deflect in the opposite direction (west in this case).

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