Question

A current is flowing clockwise around a loop placed flat on your desk. what would be the direction of the resulting magnetic field inside the loop? 1. downward 2. clockwise 3. coun

Answer 1

We should use the right-hand rule in order to understand the direction of the magnetic field and to solve the problem.

Let's put the thumb of the right hand as the direction of the current in the loop, and then let's "wrap" the other fingers around it: the direction of the other fingers gives the direction of the magnetic field. Since the direction of the current (of the thumb) is clockwise, we see that inside the loop the other fingers are directed downward, so the magnetic field direction is downward.