Unit: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
Year: 1995 Question#: 36
Question: THE DIAGRAM BELOW SHOWS A CURRENT-CARRYING WIRE LOCATED IN A MAGNETIC FIELD WHICH IS DIRECTED TOWARD THE TOP OF THE PAGE. THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCE ON THE WIRE IS DIRECTED OUT OF THE PAGE.
IN THE WIRE, THE ELECTRON FLOW IS DIRECTED TOWARD THE
(1 ) LEFT
(2 ) RIGHT
(3 ) TOP OF THE PAGE
(4 ) BOTTOM OF THE PAGE
What is this question really asking?
Explanation by: DIANA L.
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Answer 1
LEFT
CORRECT
USING THE 3RD HAND RULE, FINGERS WOULD REPRESENT THE MAGNETIC FIELD, THE FORCE WOULD BE DIRECTED OUT OF THE PALM OF YOUR HAND, SO THE ELECTRON FLOW (REPRESENTED BY THE THUMB) IS DIRECTED TOWARD THE LEFT. return to top
Answer 2
RIGHT
INCORRECT
(HINT:PALM SHOULD BE UP BECAUSE THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCE IS DIRECTED OUT OF THE PAGE) Be sure you are using your left hand since we are dealing with negative charges moving. return to top
Answer 3
TOP OF THE PAGE
INCORRECT
THE MAGNETIC FIELD, NOT THE ELECTRON FLOW, IS DIRECTED TOWARD THE TOP OF THE PAGE return to top
Answer 4
BOTTOM OF THE PAGE
INCORRECT
APPLYING THE 3RD HAND RULE, NEITHER THE ELECTRON FLOW NOR THE MAGNETIC FIELD POINT TOWARD THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE return to top
What's this question really asking?
WHEN APPLYING THE 3RD HAND RULE TO THIS PROBLEM, IN WHICH DIRECTION DOES THE THUMB POINT? return to top
