Understanding Conventional Current and the Right Hand Rule for B-Field Direction

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In summary, conventional current is the assumed direction of electric flow in circuits, while the right hand rule is a method for determining the direction of a magnetic field around a current-carrying wire. These two concepts are related because conventional current assumes positive to negative flow, while the right hand rule shows the direction of the magnetic field created by that current. Understanding these concepts is important in various fields, such as electrical circuits and electromagnetism, and can be applied in real-life situations, such as designing electric motors.
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My text shows current flowing from negative to positive, and also uses the right hand rule to get the B-field this way. I always thought convention was to flow from positive to negative, and also the b-field followed this convention as well. Any comments?
 
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As I recall, the convention is that current will flow from negative to positive while potential (voltage) will flow from positive from negative.
 
  • #3
Current always flows from positive to negative voltage, unless it's within a voltage source. And voltage (or potential) doesn't "flow" at all. It's a fixed quantity in time-invariant circuits.
 

1. What is conventional current?

Conventional current is the direction of electric flow that is used in electrical circuits. It assumes that current flows from positive to negative, even though in reality, electrons flow from negative to positive.

2. What is the right hand rule for B-field direction?

The right hand rule for B-field direction is a way to determine the direction of a magnetic field around a current-carrying wire. It states that if you point your thumb in the direction of the current, your curled fingers will show the direction of the magnetic field.

3. How does conventional current relate to the right hand rule?

Conventional current and the right hand rule are both used to describe the direction of current and magnetic fields, respectively. They are related because conventional current assumes positive to negative flow, while the right hand rule shows the direction of a magnetic field created by that current.

4. Why is it important to understand conventional current and the right hand rule?

Understanding conventional current and the right hand rule is important in many areas of science and engineering, such as electrical circuits, electromagnetism, and motors. It allows us to accurately describe and predict the behavior of electric and magnetic fields, and how they interact with each other.

5. Can you give an example of how conventional current and the right hand rule are used in real life?

One example is in the design and function of electric motors. The flow of conventional current through the wire coils creates a magnetic field that interacts with the permanent magnets, causing the motor to spin. The right hand rule can be used to determine the direction of the magnetic field, which is crucial in designing an efficient motor.

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