Chapter 24, Problem 100A

To determine

The effect on the spring when a current is sent through a vertical spring.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

When a wire carrying current is placed in an external magnetic field, it experiences force. Fleming’s left-hand rule can be used to know the direction of the force experienced by the wire when current moves through it, in a magnetic field.

When current flows through the circuit a magnetic field is developed, which forces the current carrying spring to compress. When the spring compresses it comes out of mercury dip, thereby opening the circuit. The current stops flowing and the magnetic field also stops. The spring returns tonormal position thereby closing the circuit and repeating the motion. The spring oscillates in a simple harmonic motion.

Conclusion:

The spring oscillates in a simple harmonic motion.