Chapter 24, Problem 46A

To determine

To Describe: The way to use right-hand rule for determining north and south poles of an electro magnet.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

A wire carrying current generates a magnetic field around it. The magnetic field lines are concentric circles around the wire. A coil carrying current is called electromagnet. The strength of the magnetic field can be increased by placing iron core inside it.

For determination of north and south end of an electromagnet, right-hand thumb rule can be used. As per this rule, the fingers are wrapped around the coil in the direction of flow of current through the it, then the direction in which the thumb points is the direction of the field. The end where thumb points is north and another end is south.