Question

power source, establish a current in the swing. We are interested only in the lower section (seat) of the swing here. You will need to make sure you understand the interactions so that you can determine the direction of the current through the swing's "seat". There is a very strong magnet with the North pole on top and the South pole underneath the current carrying wire. Your charge here is to observe the effect on the swing, i.e. the direction of the force on the swing. Characterize that direction, and then rationalize the result making use of the rules for finding the direction of the force on a moving charge (in this case continuous current) in an external magnetic field. In the course of your explanation, you must identify the direction of the magnetic field and direction of the flowing current and you must capture the essence of the appropriate right-hand-rule. With the swing in front of you as in figure 3a) with no current, the swing rests freely. When a current is ran through the swing's "seat”, the swing moves away from you (toward the closed end of the horseshoe magnet) as in figure 3b). Rationalize this motion. Determine the direction of the current through the seat in figure 3b) (does current run Left to Right or Right to Left?). Remember we define current as the flow of positive charge. Figure 3a) Swing apparatus with no current flowing through swing. b) Swing apparatus with current flowing through swing. Notice motion of swing, as wire has moved toward the bend of the magnet away from the observer). Figure 4. Swing apparatus viewed from the side. a) No current through swing. b) Current flowing through swing. Notice how swing has moved.

Answer 1

As we can see direction of magnetic field is downward and direction of force on the seat is away from us. So we can determine direction of current by using Fleming right hand rule. Also force has a direction which is perpendicular to both current and magnetic field. So direction of current will be in the plane of table having a direction along short banded side of wire.