What is the magnetic effect of electric current?

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Jasmine Grover

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When an electric current is passed through a wire, it starts acting like a magnet. This is known as the magnetic effect of the electric current. When the current is stopped, the wire loses its magnetic effect. 

  • A magnetic field is generated as a result of the magnetic effects of electric currents. 
  • At any given point, the magnetic field is a vector field as it is specified by direction as well as magnitude.
  • Electric motors are a popular application of the magnetic effects of electric current.
  • A current carrying conductor gives rise to a magnetic field through magnetic lines of force or magnetic field lines.
  • Around a straight conductor, the magnetic field lines are concentric. 

Magnetic effect of the electric current

Fleming’s Right Hand Rule

Fleming’s Right Hand Rule states that if our right hand thumb, forefinger and middle finger are arranged perpendicular to each other, then – 

  • The thumb points the direction of the magnetic force.
  • The forefinger points the direction of the magnetic field.
  • The middle finger represents the direction of the current.

Fleming’s Left Hand Rule

Fleming’s Left Hand Rule states that if our left hand thumb, forefinger and middle finger are perpendicular to each other, then – 

  • The thumb denotes the magnetic force direction.
  • The forefinger denotes the magnetic field direction.
  • The middle finger denotes the direction of the current.

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CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

  • 1.

    A rectangular loop of size 5 cm $\times$ 8 cm is lying in the $x$-$y$ plane in a uniform magnetic field $\vec{B} = (2.0\ \text{T})\hat{k}$. The total magnetic flux linked with the loop is:

      • 80 Wb
      • 16 Wb
      • \(8 \times 10^{-2}\) Wb
      • \(8 \times 10^{-3}\) Wb

    • 2.

      Find the ratio $\dfrac{\lambda_\alpha}{\lambda_p}$ of the de Broglie wavelength $\lambda_\alpha$ associated with an alpha particle to the de Broglie wavelength $\lambda_p$ associated with a proton if both are moving with the same velocity.


        • 3.
          A wire of length \(L\) is bent round into (i) a square coil having \(N\) turns and (ii) a circular coil having \(N\) turns. The coil in both cases is free to turn about a vertical axis coinciding with the plane of the coil, in a uniform, horizontal magnetic field and carry the same currents. Find the ratio of the maximum value of the torque acting on the square coil to that on the circular coil.


            • 4.
              Two point charges -Q and Q are located at points (d, 0) and (0, d) respectively, in x-y plane. The electric field E at the origin will be:

                • \(\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{\sqrt{2}Q}{d^2} (\hat{i} - \hat{j})\)
                • \(\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{\sqrt{2}Q}{d^2} (-\hat{i} - \hat{j})\)
                • \(\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{Q}{d^2} (\hat{i} - \hat{j})\)
                • \(\frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{Q}{d^2} (-\hat{i} - \hat{j})\)

              • 5.
                Consider the nuclear reaction \( X \to Y + Z \). Let \( M_x \), \( M_y \), and \( M_z \) be the masses of the three nuclei X, Y, and Z respectively. Then which of the following relations hold true?

                  • \( (M_x - M_z)<M_y \)
                  • \( (M_x - M_y)<M_z \)
                  • \( M_x>(M_y + M_z) \)
                  • \( M_x<(M_y + M_z) \)

                • 6.

                  A ray of light MN is incident normally on the face corresponding with side AB of a prism with an isosceles right-angled triangular base ABC. Trace the path of the ray as it passes through the prism when the refractive index of the prism material is (i) $\sqrt{2}$, and (ii) $\sqrt{3}$.

                    CBSE CLASS XII Previous Year Papers

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