The answer "use the right-hand rule" isn't working for my brain. I'd really like to understand how to answer the following: You can make an electromagnet by wrapping wire around a wire and connecting the ends to a battery. If the battery is connected so that current wraps up in the front and down in the back, which direction will the magnetic field of the nail point?

Question

The answer "use the right-hand rule" isn't working for my brain. I'd really like to understand how to answer the following: You can make an electromagnet by wrapping wire around a wire and connecting the ends to a battery. If the battery is connected so that current wraps up in the front and down in the back, which direction will the magnetic field of the nail point?

Thank you

Answer 1

First of all the "current" for the right hand rule is positive current carrent carriers, mythical as they are in a wire. Put your thumb in the direction of positive current, then curl the fingers, that is the direction of the surrounding magnetic field.

Now, on magnetic field, that is the direction of an isolated N pole, going to the S pole.
http://electrical4u.com/electrical/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/right-hand-rule.png

Answer 2

Thanks. Pretty much what the photos in the book have, and what the professor said. Still don't understand. I appreciate your time.

Answer 3

N is to the left

google "right hand SOLENOID rule"

Answer 4

To understand the direction of the magnetic field in this scenario, you can apply the right-hand rule. While using the right-hand rule may seem a bit challenging at first, let's break it down step by step:

Step 1: Extend your right hand, and align your thumb, index finger, and middle finger perpendicular to each other, creating a "right angle."

Step 2: Imagine that your thumb represents the direction of the current flow, from the front of the wire to the back. So, in this case, it would be in an upward direction in the front and downward in the back.

Step 3: Now, curl your fingers toward your palm based on the direction of the current. As a result, your fingers will wrap around the wire in a circular manner.

Step 4: Finally, the direction your fingers curl is the direction of the magnetic field.

In this specific case, when you follow these steps, you'll find that the magnetic field of the nail will point in a clockwise direction around the wire and the nail.

Keep in mind that the right-hand rule is a general rule to determine the direction of the magnetic field created by a current-carrying wire. It follows the principle of electromagnetism established by physicist André-Marie Ampère. With practice, it will become more intuitive and easier to apply.