The direction of the force on a current carrying wire located in an external magnetic field is which of the following?

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Question restatement: The direction of the force on a current-carrying wire located in an external magnetic field is which of the following?

Option by option analysis:

Option 1: 'Perpendicular to the current.' The magnetic force on a straight current-carrying wire (with current I) in a magnetic field B is given by F = I (L × B), where L is a vector along the wire in the direction of current. The cross product L × B yields a vector perpendicular to both L (the current direction) and B. Therefore, the force is indeed perpendicular to the current direction. This statement is true.

Option 2: 'Perpendicular to the field.' Since F is the cross product of the current element with the magnetic field, F is also perpendicular to the magnetic field B. The resultant force direction lies at right angles to B as well. This statement is also true.

Option 3: 'Both choices a and b are valid.' Given that the force is perpendicular to both the current and the field, this option correctly captures the full directional relationship. Since F is perpendicular to L and also perpendicular to B, both prior statements are simultaneously correct.

Option 4: 'None of the above choices are valid.' This is incorrect because, as explained, the force is indeed perpendicular to both the current direction and the magnetic field, so at least options 1 and 2 are valid.

Synthesis and key takeaway:
The magnetic force on a current-carrying wire is oriented along a line perpendicular to both the wire (current direction) and the external magnetic field, which means it satisfies being perpendicular to the current and perpendicular to the field at the same time. Therefore, the most complete and correct choice is that both perpendicular-to-current and perpendicular-to-field relations hold. The 'none of the above' option is contradicted by this understanding, and choosing either 1 or 2 alone ignores the fact that the force is perpendicular to both directions.

APPHYSC142-031 with labs Exam Review - Final

The direction of the force on a current carrying wire located in an external magnetic field is which of the following?

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