O-LevelPhysicsMagnetism5054/11 · Oct/Nov 2012 · Q261 Mark
A vertical wire passes at right angles through a piece of card. There is a large current in the wire in the direction shown. A plotting compass is placed on the card. Which diagram shows the direction in which the needle of the plotting compass points?
This question uses a diagram from the original paper, which isn't shown here. Open the full paper from the past papers archive to see it.
Acompass needle pointing vertically upwards, perpendicular to a horizontal circle.
Bcompass needle pointing clockwise, tangential to a circle around the wire.
Ccompass needle pointing radially inwards towards the wire.
Dcompass needle pointing radially outwards from the wire.
✓ Correct answer
C: compass needle pointing radially inwards towards the wire.
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