With the help of a labelled circuit diagram wire describe an activity to illustrate the pattern of the magnetic field lines around a straight current carrying long conducting wire . i) Name the rule that is used to find the direction of magnetic field associated with a current carrying conductor. ii) Is there a similar magnetic field produced around a thin beam of moving (a) alpha particles and (b) neutrons? Justify your answer.
Answers
ii) Yes, Alpha particles being, positively charged constitutes a current in the direction of motion.
No, Neutron being electrically neutral constitutes no current.
Take a battery (12 V), a variable resistance (or a rheostat), an ammeter (0–5 A), a plug key, and a long straight thick copper wire. Insert the thick wire through the centre, normal to the plane of a rectangular cardboard. Take care that the cardboard is fixed and does not slide up or down. Connect the copper wire vertically between the points X and Y, as shown in diagram in series with the battery, a plug and key. Sprinkle some iron filings uniformly on the cardboard. Keep the variable of the rheostat at a fixed position and note the current through the ammeter. Close the key so that a current flows through the wire. Ensure that the copper wire placed between the points X and Y remains vertically straight. Gently tap the cardboard a few times. Observe the pattern of the iron filings. It is observed that the iron filings align themselves showing a pattern of concentric circles around the copper wire. These represent the magnetic field lines.
i) Right hand thumb rule
ii) Yes, Alpha particles being, positively charged constitues a current in the direction of motion.
No, Neutron being electrically neutral consitiute no current.