Question

What are the directions of the fields in the center of the loop and coils shown in Figure 22.60 ?

Short answer

In wire (a) the direction of the magnetic field is out of the page.

In wire (b) the direction of the magnetic field is to the right.

In wire (c) the direction of the magnetic field is to the left.

Step-by-step solution

Determine the magnetic field

The right-hand rule-2 will be used to determine the direction of the magnetic field generated by the current in the wire. The fingers curl in the direction of the magnetic field, while the thumb points in the direction of the current.

The direction of the magnetic field

(a) The fingers curl as the thumb points in the direction of the current, and the field emerges from the page at the loop's center.

(b) From an upper perspective, the fingers curl clockwise by pointing the thumb downwards. This indicates that the field is pointing to the right in the coil's center.

(c) From a higher perspective, the fingers curl counter-clockwise by pointing the thumb upwards. This indicates that the field is pointing to the left at the coil's center.

Therefore,

In wire (a) Out of the page.

In wire (b) To the right.

In wire (c) To the left.