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A current wire deflects a magnetic needle placed near it because the current wire is creating an electric field. If the current is supplied from an AC (alternating current source as opposed to DC which is direct current- AC would be from a wall socket, DC from a battery), then the current is constantly changing, so the electric field is constantly changing.

A changing electric field results in a magnetic field perpendicular (90 degrees) to it. It is actually the magnetic field that is changing the needle direction, because that needle is trying to follow the magnetic field lines (similar to those that you see when you put iron filing near a magnet).

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How does a compass needle respond when a compass is Place with in a magnetic field?

If a magnetic compass needle is placed in a magnetic Field , its needle deflects and points in the north and south directions


Who found electric current?

Electric current was discovered by Hans Christian Oersted, a Danish physicist, in 1820. He observed that a magnetic needle deflects when placed near a wire carrying an electric current, leading to the discovery of the relationship between electricity and magnetism.


What happens when a compass is placed near a current-carrying wire?

That depends. If we assume that current is flowing though the wire then there is an induced magnetic field equal to B=u_o*I/(2R*pi). For a visual refer to http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/HBASE/magnetic/magcur.html#c2


What happens to the needle of a compass as a wire carrying electric current is placed across it?

The needle of a compass will deflect from its original position when a wire carrying an electric current is placed across it. This is due to the magnetic field created by the current in the wire, which interacts with the magnetic field of the compass needle, causing it to move.


Why the magnetic needle gets reflected when placed near a current carrying wire?

The magnetic needle gets deflected near a current-carrying wire due to the magnetic field generated by the current. The magnetic field induces a force on the needle, causing it to align or deflect towards or away from the wire. This phenomenon is a result of the interaction between the magnetic field and the magnetic properties of the needle.

Related Questions

How does a compass needle respond when a compass is placed with a magnetic field?

If a magnetic compass needle is placed in a magnetic Field , its needle deflects and points in the north and south directions


How does a compass needle respond when a compass is placed in a magnetic field?

If a magnetic compass needle is placed in a magnetic Field , its needle deflects and points in the north and south directions


How does a compass needle respond when a compass is Place with in a magnetic field?

If a magnetic compass needle is placed in a magnetic Field , its needle deflects and points in the north and south directions


Who found electric current?

Electric current was discovered by Hans Christian Oersted, a Danish physicist, in 1820. He observed that a magnetic needle deflects when placed near a wire carrying an electric current, leading to the discovery of the relationship between electricity and magnetism.


What happens when a compass is placed near a current-carrying wire?

That depends. If we assume that current is flowing though the wire then there is an induced magnetic field equal to B=u_o*I/(2R*pi). For a visual refer to http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/HBASE/magnetic/magcur.html#c2


What happens to the needle of a compass as a wire carrying electric current is placed across it?

The needle of a compass will deflect from its original position when a wire carrying an electric current is placed across it. This is due to the magnetic field created by the current in the wire, which interacts with the magnetic field of the compass needle, causing it to move.


Why the magnetic needle gets reflected when placed near a current carrying wire?

The magnetic needle gets deflected near a current-carrying wire due to the magnetic field generated by the current. The magnetic field induces a force on the needle, causing it to align or deflect towards or away from the wire. This phenomenon is a result of the interaction between the magnetic field and the magnetic properties of the needle.


Why does a compass needle placed near a current carrying wire show deflection?

A compass needle placed near a current-carrying wire shows deflection because the moving charges in the wire create a magnetic field around the wire. This magnetic field interacts with the magnetic field of the compass needle, causing it to align with the direction of the current flow in the wire.


Why does a compass needle move when placed near a wire carrying an electric current?

A compass needle moves near a wire carrying an electric current due to the magnetic field generated by the flow of electrons in the wire. This magnetic field interacts with the magnetic field of the compass needle, causing it to align itself with the direction of the current flow.


Why does a compass change direction when it is near a current-carrying wire?

A compass needle is deflected when placed near a current-carrying wire due to the magnetic field generated by the flow of electric current. The magnetic field produced by the current interacts with the Earth's magnetic field, causing the needle to align in a different direction.


Why deflection of the magnetic needle placed in a coil carrying current increases as the number of turns in the coil increases?

Deflection of the magnetic needle placed in a coil carrying current increases as the number of turns in the coil increase because as the number of turns in the coil increases the strength of the magnetic field also increases.


Why does a current carrying wire deflect a magnetic compass?

A current-carrying wire generates a magnetic field around it due to the flow of electric charges. When the wire is placed near a magnetic compass, the magnetic field produced by the wire interacts with the magnetic field of the compass needle, causing the needle to deflect and align with the direction of the wire's magnetic field.