Question

What will you observe when a straight conductor carrying a current in north-south direction
is held above a freely suspended magnetic needle and why? ​

Answer 1

The straight conductor carrying a current will deflect towards west.

• As parallel and above a freely suspended magnetic needle is carried a straight conductor carrying current deflects westward.
• The way the magnetic needle's north pole travels depends on the way of current in the conductor and the relative location of the conductor with respect to the magnetic needle.
• This means whether the conductor is above the needle or below the needle it is dependent on the needle.

Answer 2

• As parallel and above a freely suspended magnetic needle is carried a straight conductor carrying current deflects westward.

• The way the magnetic needle's north pole travels depends on the way of current in the conductor and the relative location of the conductor with respect to the magnetic needle.

• This means whether the conductor is above the needle or below the needle it is dependent on the needle.