Question

In part B of the lab, when the current flows through the orange part of the wire from right to left, the wire deflects (or moves) ____. This is in accordance with the right-hand-rule.

Answer 1

Answer:

This seems to be incomplete, as we do not have any information about the magnetic field surrounding the wire, but we can answer in a general way.

We know that for a wire of length L, with a current I, and in a magnetic field B, the force can be written as:

F = L*(IxB)

if we define the right as the positive x-axis, and knowing that the current flows to the right, we can write:

I = i*(1, 0, 0)

And the field will be some random vector that can't be parallel to the current because in that case, we do not have any force.

To find the direction of the force, which will tell us the direction in which the wire deflects or moves, first, we need to point with our thumb in the direction of the current, in this case, to the right.

Now, with the hand open, using the tip of our other fingers we point in the direction of the magnetic field.

For example, if the magnetic field is in the positive z-axis, we will point upwards.

Now the palm of our hand tells us in which direction the force is applied.

This is the right-hand rule.

For example, in the case that the current goes to the right and the magnetic field is upwards, we could see that the force is to the front.