Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor in a Magnetic Field
Physics · 50 practice questions
Quantitative treatment of force between two parallel current-carrying conductors; force on a charge moving in a magnetic field; the d.c. motor; electromagnets; the carbon microphone; moving coil and moving iron instruments; conversion of galvanometers to ammeters and voltmeters using shunts and multipliers; sensitivity of a galvanometer.
- Determine the direction of force on a current-carrying conductor using Fleming's left-hand rule.
- Interpret attractive/repulsive forces between parallel conductors and the relationship between force, field strength and velocity.
- Interpret the working of the d.c. motor and electromagnets.
- Convert a galvanometer into an ammeter or voltmeter and identify factors affecting its sensitivity.
Try a few questions
- Practice question 1
Increasing the strength of the magnetic field in which a current-carrying conductor is placed
- A.decreases the force experienced by that conductor, for a given current and length
- B.has no effect at all on the force experienced by that conductor
- C.increases the force experienced by that conductor, for a given current and length
- D.converts the conductor into a permanent magnet
Show the answer
C. increases the force experienced by that conductor, for a given current and length
Since force is directly proportional to field strength (F = BIL), a stronger field produces a correspondingly larger force.
- Practice question 2
To convert a galvanometer into a voltmeter, a
- A.low-resistance shunt is connected in parallel with the galvanometer
- B.capacitor is connected in series with the galvanometer
- C.transformer is connected in parallel with the galvanometer
- D.high-resistance multiplier is connected in series with the galvanometer
Show the answer
D. high-resistance multiplier is connected in series with the galvanometer
A series multiplier resistance limits the current, allowing the galvanometer to measure a range of voltages.
- Practice question 3
Two parallel conductors carrying current in the same direction
- A.attract each other
- B.repel each other
- C.experience no force between them at all
- D.experience a force only if the currents are of different magnitudes
Show the answer
A. attract each other
Parallel currents flowing in the same direction produce an attractive force between the two conductors.
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