The magnetic force on a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field is the strongest when
A)the current is in the direction of the magnetic field lines.
B)the current is in the direction opposite to the magnetic field lines.
C)the current is at a 180° angle with respect to the magnetic field lines.
D)the current is perpendicular to the magnetic field lines.
E)the current is at a 0° angle with respect to the magnetic field lines.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The magnetic force on a current-carrying wire is maximum when the current is perpendicular to the magnetic field lines. This is because the magnetic field exerts a force on the moving charges (electrons) in the wire, which is perpendicular to both the magnetic field and the direction of current. The magnitude of the force is given by the formula F = BIL, where B is the magnetic field strength, I is the current, and L is the length of the wire. When the current is perpendicular to the magnetic field lines, the angle between B and I is 90°, which maximizes the force.

The Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Wire in a Magnetic