(a) What is a magnetic field? How can the direction of magnetic field lines at a placed by determined?
(b) State the rule for the direction of the magnetic field produced around a current carrying conductor. Draw a sketch of the pattern of field lines due to a current carrying conductor. Draw a sketch of the pattern of field lines due to a current flowing through a straight conductor.
(a) Magnetic field is the region around a magnet in which magnetic material experiences a force because of that magnet.
The direction of magnetic field lines at a place can be determined by placing a magnetic compass in the field. The direction along which the magnetic needle of the compass aligns itself gives the direction of the magnetic field lines.
(b) The direction of the magnetic field produced around a current¬carrying conductor is determined by the Right-Hand Thumb Rule. According to this rule, if one holds a current-carrying conductor with the right hand, such that the thumb points in the direction of the current flowing through the conductor, the other fingers will wrap around the conductor in the direction of the field lines of the magnetic field due to the conductor.
