Verified Solution Science Electricity: Magnetic and Heating Effects

A student places a small compass needle near a straight copper wire. When an electric current flows from South to North in the wire, the North pole of the compass needle initially deflects towards the East. If the student reverses the direction of the current (now flowing from North to South), what will be the new direction of deflection of the North pole of the compass needle?

5 views 1 helpful Updated Jun 30, 2026
Solution ✔ Verified
  • ATowards the East
  • BTowards the West
  • CTowards the North
  • DTowards the South
Explanation

According to Oersted's experiment and the right-hand thumb rule, when the direction of current is reversed, the direction of the magnetic field produced also reverses. Therefore, the compass needle's deflection will also reverse, pointing towards the West instead of the East.

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