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WAPhysicsQuick questions
Unit 3: Gravity and Electromagnetism
Quick questions on Magnetic force on conductors: WACE Year 12 Physics Unit 3
3short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is force on a straight conductor?Show answer
A length of wire carrying current in a field feels a force
What is finding the direction?Show answer
Use the right-hand rule: point the fingers in the direction of the conventional current, curl toward the field, and the thumb (or palm push) gives the force. An equivalent statement points the fingers along the current and the palm along the field so the thumb shows the force. State the result as a clear direction such as "into the page" or "upward".
What is torque on a current loop?Show answer
In a rectangular loop in a field, the two sides carrying current perpendicular to the field feel equal and opposite forces. These do not cancel as a turning effect because they act on opposite sides of the axis, so they produce a torque that rotates the loop. The torque is maximum when the loop plane is parallel to the field and zero when the plane is perpendicular (the forces then act along the same line).
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