Electromagnetic Effects: Force on a Current-Carrying Straight Wire

Vocabulary flashcards covering the magnetic force exerted on a current-carrying wire, factors affecting the magnitude of the force, and the application of Fleming's left-hand rule.

Mechanical Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor

A deflecting force experienced by a wire carrying electric current when placed within a magnetic field, acting perpendicular (at right angles) to both the direction of the current and the magnetic field lines.

Magnitude of the Magnetic Force

The strength of the force on a wire in a magnetic field, which increases with a larger electric current, a stronger magnetic field, or a greater length of wire inside the field.

Fleming's Left-Hand Rule

A mnemonic rule used to predict the direction of the resulting force (movement) acting on a current-carrying conductor located in a magnetic field by holding the thumb, forefinger, and second finger mutually at right angles.

Forefinger (Fleming's Left-Hand Rule)

The finger that represents the direction of the magnetic field, directed from the North (N) pole to the South (S) pole.

Second Finger (Fleming's Left-Hand Rule)

The finger that represents the direction of the conventional electric current flowing through the conducting wire, pointing from positive ($+$) to negative ($-$).

Thumb (Fleming's Left-Hand Rule)

The finger that indicates the direction of the resultant mechanical force and movement acting on the wire.

Reversing the Current or Magnetic Field

Actions in a magnetic force experiment that reverse the direction of the mechanical force acting on the conductor.