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A student uses a plotting compass to investigate the magnetic field around a wire - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 5 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 5
A student uses a plotting compass to investigate the magnetic field around a wire. Figure 10 shows the wire going straight through a card. Figure 10 shows the compa... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A student uses a plotting compass to investigate the magnetic field around a wire - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 5 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
Which of these shows a possible direction of the compass needle when there is a current in the wire going from P to Q?
Answer
When current travels through a wire, it generates a magnetic field around it. The direction of this magnetic field can be determined using the right-hand grip rule. With the current flowing from P to Q, the thumb points in the direction of current while the fingers curl around the wire, indicating the magnetic field direction. Therefore, the compass needle will align itself with the magnetic field lines.
Among the given options, the direction indicated by option A shows the correct alignment of the compass needle in relation to the current's flow from P to Q.
Thus, the only correct answer is A.