Physics
Physics
Problem
A circular coil is held vertical so that you look squarely at its face. If the current in the coil appears to flow anticlockwise to you, the magnetic polarity of the face you see is a) south pole b) zero, as no magnetic field is produced c) north pole d) alternately north and southIntuitive explanation
The key is the right-hand rule for magnetic field direction: curl your fingers in the direction of current flow, and your thumb points toward the magnetic north pole. Since the current appears anticlockwise from your viewpoint, curl your right hand anticlockwise—your thumb points toward you, out of the coil's face. This means the face you're looking at is the north pole of the coil's magnetic field.
Intuitive explanation
The key is the right-hand rule for magnetic field direction: curl your fingers in the direction of current flow, and your thumb points toward the magnetic north pole. Since the current appears anticlockwise from your viewpoint, curl your right hand anticlockwise—your thumb points toward you, out of the coil's face. This means the face you're looking at is the north pole of the coil's magnetic field.